LUBE PAD QUESTION???

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.308 Norma said:
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View attachment 1052929
This is the lube pad that Dad gave me sometime back in the '70s. It's a genuine RCBS case lube pad (not an "ink pad") but the principle is exactly the same as what 243winxb said - when it gets dirty, pull it out of the metal holder and change the cloth covering the pad. As you can see, the cloth that's covering the pad now is sorely in need of changing (it's worn out and dirty) and I will get around to changing it one of these first days.;)



I sure don't know what those "shards of brass" that are "imbedded" in your pad are about though, 74man. Where did they come from? I mean, I know they obviously came from your brass cases. But why? I don't think I've ever seen any brass shards on my 45+ year-old case lube pad.o_O
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Sure, if you have the pad near the trimmer that will happen, has happened to me.
 
Mine cleans up with WD 40 sprayed on a fresh paper towel. Just wipe it off. I use STP on it anyway, it is pretty no frills. And yes, it gets all over my fingers...
 
Pottimus said:
Mine cleans up with WD 40 sprayed on a fresh paper towel. Just wipe it off. I use STP on it anyway, it is pretty no frills. And yes, it gets all over my fingers...
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If it gets all over your fingers anyway, why don't you just use Imperial and toss the pad?
 
desmobob said:
Hearing how many guys still use pads vs. spray lube makes me stop to think it over.

I always hated using a lube pad and switched to aerosol spray lube back in the 1990s. I can't remember ever having a stuck case.
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I did the about the same as you and at about the same time but I have stuck one case. It wasn't long after I started using the spray and apparently I didn't let it dry completely. Years ago my wife asked me if I had a use for small hair dryer she decided she didn't like. It hangs on the end of my loading bench and when I spray lube cases I run the hair dryer on them. It takes about a minute with the heat on high and the cases are ready to go. I seldom lube more than 50 cases at a time and have never stuck another.
 
Pad vs fingers.
An even coating is needed on the case body. A pad does this.

Fingers may leave different amounts of lube or none at all on some areas of the case body. Lube will compress brass, in a fl die.

We have all seen the lube dent in the shoulder from lube build up, i have. Or when air is trapped.

Does the lube method matter on a hunting rifle, i think not. Benchrest, maybe?

Then there is "Spray your accuracy away" Change in neck tension. Powder & primer pockets contaminated.

Side story- Inside neck lube with Qtip & Lee lube. A glop can expand the necks more in 1 area then the other. When the expander is pulled out of the neck, the glob has a hydraulic effect, buldging the neck. This makes the OD out of round. RCBS nylon brush for inside the necks.

Type of lube- RCBS 2 for me. it can be dissolved in water. Can wax? What about "waxy buildup"? :D
 
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I stand up the cartridges in a wood loading block, then pass a spray of aerosol lube across them quickly from one side and slightly above, then turn the loading block 180˚ and repeat. One or two minutes of drying time and they're now lubed, including the inside of the mouths, and ready to deprime/resize.

There is no excessive lube anywhere to cause problems nor is there a problem with lube build up in the dies. It is super-easy and very quick. A can of aerosol lube last a LONG time. I've never stuck a case that I can remember. I can't see any advantage to using a lube pad. Am I missing something?
 
243winxb said:
Pad vs fingers.
An even coating is needed on the case body. A pad does this.

Fingers may leave different amounts of lube or none at all on some areas of the case body. Lube will compress brass, in a fl die.

We have all seen the lube dent in the shoulder from lube build up, i have. Or when air is trapped.

Does the lube method matter on a hunting rifle, i think not. Benchrest, maybe?

:D
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I have been using Unique since I started reloading bottleneck cases for my 223. Unique and Imperial wax are what was recommended to me by the guys shooting Benchrest at our range. On our league there are 19 shooters, all reload and half of them are using wax and their fingers. If you are getting dents in your cases then you are applying too much. Then if getting stiff resizing then it is becoming too dry.

I too have seen case lube pads soaked and leaving too much lube and then also as in this case the pad becoming contaminated. I have yet to see my fingertips become contaminated.

The joy of reloading is we all get to do it the way that works best for us.
 
Replacement pads cost 77 cents at walmart. They're in the crafts department, look for 'foam sheets'. Cut to size.
 
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