Neck sizing and lube

[sam700]

Is it true you don't have to lube if you are only neck sizing. I've been lubing, but someone recently told me you only need to do this for full length sizing.

 

[ForneyRider]

I've been lubing my rifle cases, even when I neck-size.

Just easier to work the brass.

Lee lube works nice, but it smells like dead fish.

I have some Hornady One shot I use as well.

 

[jenrob]

I would lube the necks with graphite unless you have a carbide enpander ball kit on your dies and then I would still graphite them. when you neck size with out lube as the expander pulls out of a case that is not completly uniform neck thickness it will pull more on one side than the other. more than likely not enough to tell unless your shooting flies at 200yrds. With the lube it help the expander slide in and out of the case easier.

 

[USSR]

You can neck size without lube IF you have the right setup. Buy a Redding bushing die and ditch the decapping pin and expander ball. Remove your spent primers using a Universal Decapping Die. Buy a TiN bushing in the size that sizes your necks so you get the amount of neck tension that you desire. Using this setup as described requires no lube inside or outside of the necks, AND gives you the added benefit of straighter necks, since there is no expander ball to pull the neck out of kilter.

Don

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

I like to use white mica when I neck size.
Been doing it for 40 years or so!

 

[jhansman]

I neck size my .223 with the Lee collet die, no lube. Groups are .55" - .65" @ 100yds. out of my Savage Model 12. If you must use lube, go with Imperial sizing wax. Amazing stuff.

 

[Bad Flynch]

Generally, lubing the necks--both inside and out--produces straighter ammo in the end and really is worth the trouble. Don't bother lubing the bodies if you are using a neck-only die, as the die does not touch the bodies of the cases. The die touches the shoulder, but in a way that does not require lube.

 

[sam700]

Thanks, I haven't really been lubing the inside of the neck, but it seems like a decent idea.

 

[flashhole]

I chuck my brass up in a Lee Lock Stud and put it in a drill. I use a Scotch Brite pad on the outside to clean it and a bore brush on the inside of the neck. It goes pretty quick and a clean inside neck goes a long way to reduce sticking on a button type neck sizer. I personally favor the Lee Collet Neck Die, no lube is required for it.