Does Lyman "M" die require lube?

[Eldraque]

I want to load .223 on a 550B. My proposed setup is this


Tumble cases
Lube cases

Toolhead 1
Universal decapping die
RT1500 - trim and size

Tumble cases

Toolhead 2
Lyman "M" die
Powder drop
Bullet seat
Dillon crimp die

My question is does the Lyman M die require lube? If it does this setup wont work.

 

[dnfd737]

Mine does but that's for 50-90 sharps 50-90 is a bit of a monstrous die, it could be different for pea shooter sizes

 

[GLOOB]

My M dies only require lube for new or otherwise completely clean, decarbonized, and degreased cases (e.g. wet-tumbled without any finishing wax), just like any pistol expander. I don't have anything resembling a 50-90 Sharps.

I have M dies for all my rifle calibers, including 223, and I don't use neck lube. If I have new cases, I make sure to tumble them, first, with a little NuFinish. My 7mm size die is so tight in the neck, I can't even use a regular expander slathered in lube, but the M die still needs no lube. There's no grabbing or galling.

 

[Eldraque]

Does Lyman "M" die require lube?

I have M dies for all my rifle calibers, including 223, and I don't use neck lube. If I have new cases, I make sure to tumble them, first, with a little NuFinish. My 7mm size die is so tight in the neck, I can't even use a regular expander slathered in lube, but the M die still needs no lube. There's no grabbing or galling.

Cool this is the answer i was hoping for. I don't really want to "cut corners" so to speak, but i also want to make this as simple as possible.

 

[Sunray]

Your regular sizer die should be all you need to decap, deprime and expand the neck correctly. Trimmed, chamfering and deburring as required, of course. Don't over complicate the whole thing.

 

[Eldraque]

Does Lyman "M" die require lube?

Your regular sizer die should be all you need to decap, deprime and expand the neck correctly. Trimmed, chamfering and deburring as required, of course. Don't over complicate the whole thing.

I read that if i size before the rt1500 then the case might spin inside the rt1500 die and ruin the case. Is that false?

 

[Walkalong]

It shouldn't require any lube for .223, and many people like to use the M die instead of the expander ball. I use a carbide expander in my sizer for blasting ammo (Cheap FMJ), and a bushing type sizer die with no expander for more accuracy minded stuff, but some prefer the normal sizer and M die combo.

 

[Clint M]

I don't know much about progressive type presses, it's best to trim after full length sizing your cases. That said trimming before you size should still keep everything within tolerance. How hard is it to change the dies to try it the way Sunray posted ? As for expanding you can smooth the mandrel some, don't get carried away doing this as you can reduce the diameter. You could also use a dry type lube if needed for mass loading on the ID of necks with a nylon brush and some white mica, or dry moly the same (moly will make a mess a questions of when not if) this dry type lube will also make bullet seating easier etc. Just another option if you decide to lube before expanding.

 

[GLOOB]

The RT1500 sizes and trims at the same time, people. It's not like the OP didn't explicitly write that, or anything.

 

[winchester1886]

I don't use any lube on my M die !

 

[cheygriz]

In a word: NO!

 

[Don McDowell]

No the "m" die does not require lube, it's soul purpose in life is to round the case mouth, and size the insided diameter of the neck, and put a flare on the case mouth. Lube not required and if lube is present is liable to cause more problems than it solves.

 

[ku4hx]

For .223 Remington, I use an "M" die but it's in position one on my RL550B. I size and deprime my cases separately on and old RCBS Jr press so position one (the "M" die) is used to set the inside case neck to a uniform diameter. As uniform and I can get it anyway. I've never used any lubricant although after each loading session I do wipe the expander plug with a very slightly oily cloth.

Case trimming is done with one of these: http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/wft.html After trimming I lightly chamfer the inside of the case mouth. By doing this, I found there's no need for flaring the case mouth. I used to but one day discovered by accident I didn't need to. Cast bullets would certainly require a flared mouth to prevent lead shaving.

Position two holds the Dillon powder measure which for the .223 Remington does not flare the case mouth.

The whole process is linear and once all the dies are set up, the only thing I do is wipe down and clean.

 

[cfullgraf]

The only time I have used a Lyman "M" die was with 300 BLK and cast bullets. I did not specifically lube the case mouth for the "M" die but there was some lubricant there from the normal lubricating process.

Worked fine.

But I also lubricate a little the case mouths of cases where i use a carbide expander button. Makes expanding the case mouth smoooooooth.

Cast bullets in my 300 BLK did not light my fire so I don't use the "M" die any more.