Lube issues, stuck cases

[warddc]

I usually lube bottle neck cases with Hornady One Shot before resizing and it works fine. This weekend I tried loading some .223 rem for the first time and stuck the first 2 cases due to lack of lube. I had to switch to the RCBS wet lube to get the brass resized without sticking. I wiped all the brass outside and cleaned inside the necks. Even though I cleaned in the necks with a Q-tip, powder kept sticking to the inside of the necks making it really hard to throw a charge and measure for accuracy.

What method do you find that works well without alot of mess for lubing cases. Why did these .223 rem case get stuck when using One Shot?

dave.

 

[30Cal]

The couple times I've stuck a case in a die was when I was using spray lube. I've never had a problem with Imperial Case Wax.

Ty

 

[HSMITH]

One Shot is a great lube, but I suspect you didn't quite have enough. I like to spray a couple pumps in a gallon ziplock bag, then add a hundred or so cases. Shake the bag around and roll it, the lube will distribute nicely on the outside only of the cases. Take one case from the bag and wet it with PLENTY of One Shot, and size it. The one really wet case 'preps' the size die wetting it and making sure that there is good coverage. Then the cases from the bag with just a little lube on them will just recharge the lube in the die keeping it adequately lubed. Close the bag and the little bit of lube left in it is not wasted, it just waits for the next couple pumps and hundred cases.

I've had trouble too with clean dies and not enough lube on the first one. The shinier your brass is the worse it will be too.

 

[Quantrill]

I have always used either Lyman or RCBS lube that comes in a toothpaste-like dispenser and just smeared it on a RCBS lube pad, then rolled each case on the pad and dragged the bullet end across the pad. Everything seems to get what is needed and I rarely have a stuck case. I use this method for .223, 30-06 and 44-40. Quantrill

 

[MoNsTeR]

You might also try spraying a hefty dose of One Shot straight into the sizing die

 

[cheygriz]

I've tried One Shot, and it worked fairly well for me, but Dillon spray lube seems to work much better.

To clean the lube out of your case necks, tumble them after sizing. I like to tiumble in corncobs with about 2-3 tablespoons of mineral spirits.

If you're loading on a progressive, put a RCBS universal decapping die in the sizing station to knock the little particles of corncob out of the flash holes. If you're loading on a single stage, you'll need to inspect the flash holes, and use wire to clean any that have particles stuck in them.

This might be a PITA, but it couldn't be any worse than running a Q-Tip into the case mouths.

Anyway, this system might not be the world's best, but it works for me.

 

[Phil in Seattle]

.223 is the only brass I've ever gotten stuck. 444 308 30-06, 300wm I have no problems with.

Now I use the one shot lube while the cases are in the reloading block but then I use a little Hornady Unique lube or Imperial Sizing die Wax on my fingers and give the case a quick wipe with that beofre I size it.

 

[cordex]

You might also try spraying a hefty dose of One Shot straight into the sizing die

In my experience, this is a bad idea. I've gotten two stuck cases while reloading - both of which happened immediately after squirting One Shot into the die.

The directions suggest you lube the die with One Shot before hand, but to ensure it dries completely. Also, you're supposed to wait for the lube to dry on the cases before running them through.

YMMV

 

[jw29650]

I use Imperial sizing lube for my rifle cases. For my .223 die, I have gone to a carbide ball so I do not lube inside of neck. Have not had a stuck case. For 30-06 and other size cases, I use a Q tip with lube on every other case. For all cases, I tumble to remove lube.

JW

 

[sebago]

I've never tried any of the spray lubes but for lubing inside the neck, every three or four cases are dipped in powdered graphite. I just wipe off the outside of the case before sizing. There probably are better solutions but it seems to work ok.

 

[go8dalejr]

I have only used dillon case lube but have loaded several thousand rds
of .223. No problems sofar I lay a shop towel with as many cases as I
can fit on it and spray away. Let dry a bit and put them in the casefeeder.
Works for me.

 

[liljohn]

I've used One Shot and was surprised by how much it took to get the job done. I'd spray one side, then rotate the loading tray and spray the other, then go back and repeat the process, and that would usually do it. Eventually it will make a mess so do it outside, in a box, or something like that.

I've also used RCBS liquid lube which resembles light gun oil. I'd put a drop on my finger tips, rub it around, and lightly lube approx 10 cases before recharging my finger tips with another half a drop. If I can just barely feel the oil on the case, it was enough. Never stuck a case with it, but it's a PITA to wipe down every stinking case after sizing. The lube stays on the case and will lube your chamber if you don't get it off.

I've now determined it's not worth the hassle so I stopped using both of these. I have gone back to the lube I started with, which is Lee water soluable lube. It looks like lard in a toothpaste tube. I use it the same way--put a dab on my finger tips, rub it around, then use my finger tips to lube the case while holding the case head in my opposite hand. Your fingers have to be charged a bit more often because it dries, so you can lube about 5 cases in a row. It will leave a light film and you can size right away, but I let it dry until it looks frosty. Once dried, it will size just as well without leaving any residue at all--it just dusts right off.

Do the inside of case necks with about 1 part lube (just a little dab) and one part water. Mix it up with a Q-tip or cotton swab, then swab the inside of the necks. Let it dry to a frost so you don't put moisture in the die and your ready to go.

 

[crackerjack]

Lube

Have used oneshot for good many years on pistol and rifle. I do spray a very light coat in die occasionly and especially new die. But have noticed, oneshot "has" to have ample drying time for it to work proper rushing it = friction. Angle spray so that inside of neck gets lube. I spray very light from several directions.
Good Luck

 

[g56]

I spray them down liberally with One Shot, don't need to turn them over, One Shot flows around the case extremely well. Although I use a progressive press, on 223 I size separately, you can easily feel a case that didn't get quite enough lube, when I feel too much resistance, it's VERY obvious, I set the case aside for another shot, I ran 100 cases this afternoon, set about 3 aside for more lube.

I size them separately so I can tumble to remove the lube before going on with the process.


This is the only connection with any thing liberal!
"I spray them down liberally with One Shot"

 

[warddc]

thanks folks

Thanks for the help. I will try some of your suggestions. I always resize as a separate stage. I think I will try running the brass through the tumbler after resizing to get the lube off. Maybe I just did not use enough One Shot? I sprayed them as usual in a tray from all 4 sides though. Hmmm.

BTW. Hornady replaced my brand new decapper/expander assembly for FREE under warranty even though I told them that I destroyed it by hammering out a stuck case. Pretty nice of them.

dave.

 

[g56]

One shot leaves so little residue that 5 minutes in the tumbler will clean it up, just be sure to check the primer pockets and flash holes for media.

That was nice of Hornady to do that, I know Dillon has a reputation of doing things like that, it's nice to hear some other companies do as well.