Starting my 223 reloading experience

[JamieC]

Finally got all my pieces together for reloading 223. Got the dies into the turret, pulled the index rod out, set the sizing die as per the Lee instructions. Had about 200 cases, all the same, (PPU is the head stamp), washed and rinsed them, through 'em into a box, gave them about 5 sprays of my Lee lube and alcohol, 8:1, mixed them up, let them dry a bit, got started. Quite a bit more effort than pistol brass, some of the tougher ones I pulled back out, smeared a little Johnsons paste wax on them, seemed to help out a bit, this is starting to resemble work! About half way through, I decided to try out some oil, Amsoil in particular, wow, that made a difference. I 'wet' a rag with some, wiped everyone, every other one, every third one, (that was about as far as could go till it got tight again). I'm thinking "is this Lee stuff crap or what, but too many people use it, maybe it's me". I take the last 50 cases, stick them into a plastic ammo tray laying on the bench, open end up, give them another spray from each side, dry, try again, much better, no quite as good as the oil but real consistent, I guess I didn't spray enough to begin with. Tomorrow I'll see about trimming.

 

[rcmodel]

stick them into a plastic ammo tray laying on the bench, open end up

There's your problem.

The end down by the casehead is the thickest part of the case, and as such, it's the hardest part to resize.
And that right there is what needs the lube.

So the wrong end is covered by the ammo trey they are setting in.

And it doesn't take a lot of lube.

All that's left after you wipe it all off with your fingers is just right.

rc

 

[KansasPaul]

I'm not a fan of spray type lubes. I use the Lee white paste lube - just a little smear around the case and the brass goes through the dies easily. I did try some spray on case lube from Cabella's - followed the directions carefully and got my first case stuck in the die. Had to disassemble the die and knock the case out with a punch. Pitched the spray crap and went back to using the paste. No more problems. By the way, not sure about PMC brass but some cases have crimped primer pockets. If you shoot a lot of .223/556 as soon as you stray away from commercial brass and start using range pick-up mil spec brass, you will run into crimped cases.

Good luck and have fun!

Blessings,

Paul

 

[matrem]

Pitched the spray crap and went back to using the paste.

Have no experience with "Cabela's" lube (don't think I've even heard of it?)

Done correctly (like lubing the correct end) and letting it dry enough..
Well. I'd bet a dollar it'd work and save you time.

 

[trixter]

Try some Imperial Sizing Wax, rub a little (LITTLE!!) onto your palms then massage the batch of cases. You will like. Be sure to wipe them down after you are done with them.

 

[gahunter12]

^^^^ This! Imperial Wax is all I use. Also make sure you are not bumping the shoulder back too far. I know on my press, if I set the die per Lee instructions it bumped the shoulder back .009" from where it was fire formed.

 

[lightman]

When I use a spray lube, I put about 50 or 60 cases in a gallon ziploc bag, give them a pump or two, roll them around some, dump them out and let them dry. Its important to shake most spray lubes before using them.

 

[grubbylabs]

Another thread on tough or sticking cases and again a spray lube is being used. Unique or Imperial seems to be the stuff to use.
it only takes a little, drag your finger through it very lightly and apply to case and size, you will have enough on your finger to do 2-3 cases.

 

[JamieC]

How do you get any lube inside the neck? Doesn't there need to be a little bit in there? I figured spraying would get some inside the neck. I think I didn't spray enough to begin with, I'm learning. I did like the results using the Amsoil, gotta work on that. First I'll make sure the diluted Lee lube gets a fair shot.

 

[Walkalong]

I use either RCBS Case Lube II or Imperial Sizing Die Wax on my thumb, pointer finger and middle finger. I lube the case with them as I pick it up and put it in the shell plate. Start at the bottom and work up, making sure not to get a lot on the neck and little to none on the shoulder. I can lube them as fast as I can pick them up and put them in the shell plate.

roll a nylon brush over a lube pade and run it in the necks. It takes very little lube there.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

Make sure the alcohol evaporates with the lee solution, I found it makes a world of difference (I've had 2 stuck cases being impatient with that stuff). I use the tupperware and shake with about 80-100 at a time in there then throw them in my Lee case feeder and let them sit for 10 minutes then come back. They tend to dry quicker when the sides aren't all touching in the tupperware, although by the time I get done sizing the 40 in the case feeding tubes the ones still sitting in the tupperware are sufficiently dry to throw right into the press without waiting.

 

[grubbylabs]

If you run the case mouth against the finger stuck in the lube it will get some lube in the case mouth. I only dew a case
Mouth every 5-10 times.

 

[JamieC]

Yeah, I did wait on it to dry, I'll try rcmodel's suggestion to lube the bottom of the case more. I had lubed them all in a box and mixed 'em up then took some of them and re-lubed the tops while in the ammo case, made it better.

 

[rcmodel]

How do you get any lube inside the neck?

You don't want that much lube inside the neck.

A Bore brush with a trace of lube on it run in each case is more then enough to prevent expander button squeaking when it is pulled back out.

More lube inside the case then that will contaminate powder, and decrease good case neck tension.

And you don't want that!

rc

 

[oldreloader]

I use either RCBS Case Lube II or Imperial Sizing Die Wax on my thumb, pointer finger and middle finger. I lube the case with them as I pick it up and put it in the shell plate. Start at the bottom and work up, making sure not to get a lot on the neck and little to none on the shoulder. I can lube them as fast as I can pick them up and put them in the shell plate.

roll a nylon brush over a lube pade and run it in the necks. It takes very little lube there.

I agree with Walkalong except I went to a Frankfort Arsenal Dry Mica for the neck. For cases fired in my bolt gun I use the Lee collet neck die and NO lube.

 

[Matt Dillon]

Don't blame Lee, use Imperial sizing wax, and you may consider buying and using a Dillon case gauge to ensure correct shoulder set back and headspace.

 

[7mmsavage]

I had the same problem resizing LC cases even when lubing inside the necks. I took the advice of another handloader and polished the expander ball. Just remove it and chuck it in a drill and polish with 600 grit paper until its shiny. Only took a minute and made all the difference in the world for me. Did it on my 308 dies too.

 

[JamieC]

You don't want that much lube inside the neck.

A Bore brush with a trace of lube on it run in each case is more then enough to prevent expander button squeaking when it is pulled back out.

More lube inside the case then that will contaminate powder, and decrease good case neck tension.

And you don't want that!

rc

Ahh, the "squeak", that's from the expander ball coming out, I heard that a few times, didn't realize it was the expander, thought it was the outside since I was still figuring out that I probably didn't lube enough or the right end.
rcmodel, aren't some lubes designed for the inside of the neck? I realize too much of any lube is no good for either neck tension or the powder. When I sat some of the cases open end up and sprayed, since some gets into the neck or when doing a bunch in a box/bag...

 

[stavman11]

before I started Making my Own lube with lanolin and Iso HEET, Best I have ever used by the way

I would use the Hornady in the Spray Can... toss 50 or so in a box... Spray em... Tossem around.. then spray em again.. and let sit

THEN.... i would use some synthetic Motor oil on the 1st case.... Dip it in the lid so inside and outside got oiled... rub it around... and Go ta Town.... Never had any issues with a stuck or even close to stuck case..

Also check yer Sizng Die is not Too far Turned In..... I had mine in pretty far once after pulling it and cleaning it..... It wouldnt fully Cam over and Man they seemed Tight... I re-set it and that made a Huge Difference...

Be sure ya have a Head space Guage as well...

Good Luck, be safe, and have a BLAST!!

 

[edfardos]

lube the inside of the neck with number two pencil on every other brass. no more squeaks and nice and dry.

 

[hartcreek]

I size ALL of my rifle cases wet. I stand a bunch on end on an old cutting board and fog them with silicone spray and immediately get to sizeing.

 

[horseman1]

lube the inside of the neck with number two pencil on every other brass. no more squeaks and nice and dry.

Edfardos,

That is really a good idea. I will have to try that. Thanks!

 

[jwrowland77]

I use either RCBS Case Lube II or Imperial Sizing Die Wax on my thumb, pointer finger and middle finger. I lube the case with them as I pick it up and put it in the shell plate. Start at the bottom and work up, making sure not to get a lot on the neck and little to none on the shoulder. I can lube them as fast as I can pick them up and put them in the shell plate.

roll a nylon brush over a lube pade and run it in the necks. It takes very little lube there.

This here is what I do, except I use Kiwi Mink Oil shoe polish. I roll a q-tip across the top lightly. Then as I'm picking them up, and rub the case real quick between my fingers, and do a quick once around inside the case neck and put it in the shell holder and away I go.

Fairly simple and quick. Plus I bought the can 2 years ago and have barely made a dent in it, and I mainly load rifle rounds, so I use it a lot.

 

[W.E.G.]

RCBS case lube comes on a squirt bottle.

One bottle will do thousands of cases.

Squirt small puddle in palm of hand.

Spread like lotion onto both palms and all fingers.

Grab bucket of cases.

One-by-one, roll cases between palms.

Drop lubed cases in second bucket.

Re-apply lube to palms as needed.

Wash hands.

Resize cases.

Wash cases with hot water only.

Allow to dry.

 

[FROGO207]

Lots of good advice above. Be sure to get enough lube on the spots that need it while not getting lots on the bullet necks. I also use the Lanolin and Iso-Heat mix. I spray it into a gallon sized Zip-Loc freezer bag and dump in 150-200 223 brass and work around with my fingers to coat well. Then pour out onto an old cookie sheet to dry until tacky. I then size and run brass through SS wet tumbler after to get casings clean. Works well for me.


Seems I shoot them upfaster than I make them on my SS press however.