Does case lube affect components

[TonyAngel]

Hey guys, I was wondering about something. I'd like to do some true progressive reloading for .223. I use Dillon case lube and was wondering if this stuff NEEDS to be tumbled off before dropping powder and seating a bullet.

I'd like to be able to just lube the tumbled cases, then feed them into my progressive loader and then clean the lube off of the loaded rounds.

Can I do this or will the lube affect the primers/powder adversely?

 

[jamesicus]

I have used Lee Resizing Lubricant to lube the inside of case necks - without wiping it off - for many years now without any adverse effects.

James

 

[General Lee]

In short yes you can do this without any adverse effects with the right lube.

I know on the Lee case lube it says does not degrade powder so with that it hurts nothing. You might try reading the lube container and it should say. Oily type lubes I tumble afterwards just because its easier than wiping them all down. Tumbling is definately not necessary it is just easier than wiping the cases down.

 

[TonyAngel]

Reading the label was the first thing I did. If it had said anything, I wouldn't have asked. Although it didn't mention anything about having to remove it before loading, I didn't want to assume anything.

Thanks for the info.

 

[WNTFW]

T/A,
On .223 I tumble enough to get it clean, then lube & run through a 550B with only the sizer in toolhead 1. Then I trim and retumble. Or tumble then trim. Using a fast trimmer like a Giraud makes it easy. It is just as easy to trim as gauge at that point. The second tumble is when it gets really clean. Then I store the brass or load it on a 550b with toolhead 2 which has all the remaining dies/powder dispenser. This works well for large amounts.
I know reloading your own brass shot from your rifle should not require much trimming. (or tumbling) I do mine this way for a margin of safety.

That said how do you allow for trimming or gauging?

 

[cfullgraf]

Like WNTFW, I prefer to tumble my brass to clean off range dirt. Then, I lube, resize and trim before tumbling once again to remove the lube.

Cases are stored away for loading at a future time.

I still find when even with cases fired repeatable in the same rifle, about 25% to 50% require trimming at each cycle.

I usually process a days shooting of brass shortly after shooting instead of stock piling fired brass. I find it more convenient to process small quantities of brass more frequently instead of waiting and doing a monster session. Then I have a stock pile of brass ready and prepared for reloading.

 

[243winxb]

If you have a carbide expander button, you may not need to lube the insides of the case necks. If you dont have one >Lube inside the neck can cause some powder to bridge or stick in the necks even tho the expander pulls most excess lube out. Always use a nylon brush to lube the inside of the necks. A Q-tip & Lee lube can leave a lump inside the neck on bullet seating. As for outside, just remove lube from the finished rounds. I use RCBS case lube its water soluble.

 

[jamesicus]

Like WNTFW, I prefer to tumble my brass to clean off range dirt. Then, I lube, resize and trim before tumbling once again to remove the lube.

Cases are stored away for loading at a future time.

I still find when even with cases fired repeatable in the same rifle, about 25% to 50% require trimming at each cycle.

I usually process a days shooting of brass shortly after shooting instead of stock piling fired brass. I find it more convenient to process small quantities of brass more frequently instead of waiting and doing a monster session. Then I have a stock pile of brass ready and prepared for reloading.

I am now only using Trail Boss powder to produce reduced load 30/06 and .458 Lott cartridges in small quantities - I typically fire approximately forty rounds of each caliber at twice weekly range sessions. My case prep regimen is as follows:

Inspect and clean brass by hand using 00 steel wool
Neck size - lube inside neck (30/06) using .30 caliber nylon bore brush with Lee Resizing Lubricant
Check case length using Lee case trimmer - trim if necessary*
Clean primer pocket using Lyman uniformer
De-burr exterior/interior case mouth using RCBS tool
Expand .458 Lott case mouth
Wipe off case exteriors using soft rag
Test cases for ease of bolt closure in dedicated rifle (firing pin removed)

* I have not had to trim or full-length re-size any cases to date (fifteen to twenty re-loadings) due to the low chamber pressures attending the use of Trail Boss powder.

James

 

[General Lee]

Tony I wasn't trying to be smart about saying read the label. That is just how I personally found out. No pun intented.

 

[cfullgraf]

James,

Looks like a nice case prep plan.

I agree, with neck sized cases in particular and especially with reduced power loads, I would expect that you would not trim very often. I have similar experience with my bolt action rifles where I neck size.

But, I shoot mostly semi-auto rifles these days and full length resizing is necessary with these rifles to insure reliable operation. Cases grow during the resizing operation.