Newb question about lube

[hadmanysons]

Does the outside of the case need lube when using the bullet seating die or just during the sizing/decapping process? Would I be good if I wiped the lube off after sizing?

 

[Cherokee]

Lube is just for sizing. I usually remove the lube after sizing with a few minutes in my brass vibrator/cleaner. You can wipe the cases if you desire. You don't want any lube remaining on the loaded rounds when you put them in the firearm to shoot.

 

[Randy1911]

If you are loading pistol cases, you can get carbide dies that don't require lube. A quick rinse in Acetone will remove all the lube. It dries in just a few minutes.

 

[243winxb]

Bottle neck rifles get lube inside the neck and outside on the body, but no lube on the shoulder/neck outside when full length resizing. Just during the sizing/decapping process only.

 

[hadmanysons]

I've been wiping it off the finished rounds, i was just wondering if I could be doing it sooner. I'm loading 30-06 BTW, I put lube on the inside of the neck and the whole rest of the round, minus the bottom. Is that excessive?

What could I use to clean the lube off with if I didn't have a tumber? Denatured alcohol? mineral spirits?

 

[rfwobbly]

Lube is just for sizing.

Well, there's other places in your life you can use lube, but if we confine our comments just to "reloading" then he's right!

 

[243winxb]

i was just wondering if I could be doing it sooner.

Remove lube after sizing. The expander will pull out any excess lube from inside the neck area, but you can wipe it out with a Q-tip if you want.

Is that excessive?

Lube is not need on the outside of the neck & shoulder, but dont hurt unless you get a dent. To much lube will put a harmless dent in the shoulder, other wise the body needs the lube most.

What could I use to clean the lube off with

A clean cotton cloth/towel work well for a few cases.

 

[Walkalong]

If you don't have a tumbler, use RCBS Case Lube II. It is water soluble. Use hot water and a colander to remove it. Let dry. Slow, but easy. Beats using a rag to do 200 cases.

 

[ants]

For wiping lube from a small number of cases...

Instead of a rag, consider using cotton gloves.
You can wipe 3 or 4 or 5 at a time, depending upon cartridge size.
Throw them (the gloves) in the wash when they get dirty.

Also, consider Imperial or Lee case lube.
Basically it's carnauba wax. Easier to wipe clean.

 

[Walkalong]

Yes, for wiping clean, Imperial is the way to go.

 

[hadmanysons]

Thanks. I'm to worried about removing lube from a lot of case at once till I get into pistol reloading. Sticking to small amounts rifle ammo for now. Thanks for advice guys.

 

[Historian]

Hadmany,

If you buy a carbide sizing die for your pistol rounds, you can size them without lubing. I have a carbide that I use for my S&W .40 cases and have never had to lube them. Best of luck. I hope you enjoy this wonderful hobby.

Historian

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of a common enemy."

Samuel Adams