quick question: .223 lube and Lee Die

[Mark_Mark]

I’m using Imperial Wax, a good film, and Lee Sizing Decap die. Stuck Twice and a pain in the butt!

I order lanolin oil and 99.9% alcohol abd making a mix. that sound like it will work

Question: Does Lee .223 sizing die just Suck or am I doing something wrong?

fyi: I loaded .223 on a single stage, but my brass always came clean, size, and trimmed. Big Bro always send me as much as I need but I wanted to do it myself

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I use spray cooking oil. Cheap and it works good. I spray some on my lube pad.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I use spray cooking oil. Cheap and it works good. I spray some on my lube pad.
View attachment 1071366

for real?

 

[ParallelCode]

You may want to try using a dry neck lube, like Imperial Dry Neck-lube, in conjunction with Imperial sizing wax.

Be aware that imperial wax must be removed after sizing -- it can contaminate powder/primers. If you are using a progressive, it may not be the best choice depending on your process.

 

[badkarmamib]

I don't know if it is the lube or Lee dies, but I have noticed that I need to use more lube (total, not per surface area) on a .223 case than I do on a .30\06.

 

[Otto]

Polish the inside of the die with 800 grit paper.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Yeppers for real lol.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

Yep! I've used it myself. I typically use a black powder lube because it happens to be in my reloading room but pretty much any lube will work.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Lee rifle dies have a rough finish inside. I changed mine out to RCBS. They run smother. And have a better finish.

 

[ballman6711]

I use Hornady lube (not One Shot) on my .223 brass because I found it before finding Imperial.

Use more than you think you need and if you start getting dents use a little less. I put a dab on my fingers and swipe every case, but I'm loading on a single stage. I would use a spray lube of some sort if loading on a progressive.

chris

 

[LiveLife]

using Imperial Wax, a good film, and Lee Sizing Decap die. Stuck Twice ...am I doing something wrong?

I would clean the die internals well and make sure the vent hole in the .223 die body is clear.

 

[Larry in wyoming]

Coat a 20 gauge bore mop with a whitening tooth paste or mother's mag polish and chuck it into a drill and give it a ten to twenty seconds polish. Do not go crazy with it!

 

[Y-T71]

I use Hornady lube (not One Shot) on my .223 brass because I found it before finding Imperial.

Use more than you think you need and if you start getting dents use a little less. I put a dab on my fingers and swipe every case, but I'm loading on a single stage. I would use a spray lube of some sort if loading on a progressive.

chris

Ive loaded more than 12k rounds of . 223/5.56 using Lee dies and Hornady One Shot (before the internet told me One Shot wasn't a good product); notorious on the internet for causing stuck cases.

Never had a problem.

In my experience, follow the directions on the can and it works as advertised.

BTW, my 7 sets of Lee dies all have a mirror smooth finish inside.

 

[ballman6711]

Ive loaded more than 12k rounds of . 223/5.56 using Lee dies and Hornady One Shot (before the internet told me One Shot wasn't a good product); notorious on the internet for causing stuck cases.

Never had a problem.

In my experience, follow the directions on the can and it works as advertised.

BTW, my 7 sets of Lee dies all have a mirror smooth finish inside.

I use One Shot on all my pistol brass and have never had a problem either. Decided to use a paste lube when I started loading rifle and have stuck with it. It's not as fast, but I don't get in a hurry.

chris

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

When a case is stuck there is a 99.999999% probability that there was little if any lube on it.

 

[243winxb]

Some 223 have small flash holes. Pin sticks.

There is water-soluble lanolin, so I was told?

 

[Otto]

Vent Holes have nothing to do with stuck cases. They're intended to prevent shoulder denting. In reality they're not needed at all.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Polish the inside of the die with 800 grit paper.

I was thinking about going to town with my the sandpaper and finishing with Flitz and a Felt dremel

 

[Mark_Mark]

Lee rifle dies have a rough finish inside. I changed mine out to RCBS. They run smother. And have a better finish.

I’m going to make this cheap Lee Die SHINE! well inside! heck minus will shine the outside too

 

[ParallelCode]

I use Hornady lube (not One Shot) on my .223 brass because I found it before finding Imperial.

Use more than you think you need and if you start getting dents use a little less. I put a dab on my fingers and swipe every case, but I'm loading on a single stage. I would use a spray lube of some sort if loading on a progressive.

chris

Hornady Unique I'm guessing? I like that for pistol brass.

 

[earplug]

I have issues with sticking when my unheated shop gets cold. The lube separates and won't flow evenly. Bringing the lube and cases inside to warm up helps prevent sticking.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Look at that brass, definitely broken.

 

[Mark_Mark]

going to try this tonight

 

[Misplacedtexan]

Lanolin and alcohol, best I've used and it goes a long way! Don't need much.
You can over lube and cause problems.

 

[entropy]

Mostly case denting, which is harmless, only cosmetically a problem.

I use One Shot.