I've been reloading now for two years ( using a 4 die Lee Classic Turret Press) for 38 special. I want to keep my dies in good working condition. What are some basic maintenance things I can do to keep them in good working condition? Thank you for your time and expertise.

I've been reloading since 1971. Up to 26 calibers now. Way back when I bought a Lee .45 Colt die set and started using used nickel brass that had flakes coming off. It scored the inside of the resizing die. Lee replaced it for free. Since then I stick to brass brass. All I do is clean the inside of the dies with a bottle brush (test tube brush) after using it. Other than the issue mentioned, I have never replaced a die and all perform well to this day.

If you live in a humid environment, you can get some surface rust on some dies. I always treat them like a firearm and clean them after use and put a protective coat of CLP on them.

I use a jag and clean the interior of the die about like a rifle bore. Remove any build up of powder residue, lead, wax etc from inside the dies. I also make sure I keep the press lubricated and a protective film on any surfaces that may rust.

I had one of the swing arms gall on my Dillon RL550 a few years back and had to disassemble to repair and lube prior to reassembly.

When I get "inspired" I clean mine (all Lee) with spray Gun Scrubber and a brush and then spray with silicone.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Every couple months or so, depending on use, I will spray out dies with gunscrubber/brake cleaner and dry. A light spray/wipe with any good gun oil will protect them if humidity is a problem. Will also lube linkages and ram in my presses as needed (2-3 times a year). Also will disassemble my powder measures and clean about every year or so.

I also have the Lee classic Turret.

An assortment of nylon engine brushes is handy for cleaning dies.

Inspect/clean the Auto Disc powder path frequently.

Easy on wet oil. It will attract gunpowder & brass particles. Be especially careful on the powder measure/die. If it gets into the wrong places (and if it can, it will) it can make the powder bridge the path & cause all kinds of dangerous problems. Make sure everything's clean & maybe a tiny shot of Remoil or One Shot case lube.

Hornady One Shot case lube will make your life much easier loading pistol ammo, especially 9mm.

There's really not much to worry about. If you're worried just take them apart and soak them in some some Hoppe's 9 clean and and let them dry and spray with a silicone based conponent. If there's no type of rust I don't worry about my dies.

I lube the turretts with a slight amount of stp before inserting them. I put a small hole in the aluminum cover of the bottle and use a drop on my finget to lube them. They turn freely and the plastic rachets last a lot longer.

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Front sight and squeeze

Disassemble the dies regularly and clean them with your regular gun cleaning solvent. Oddly enough, a short cleaning rod, old bore brushes and clean patches on a jag do a great job of cleaning dies. Hose down with brake cleaner, inside & out (outdoors of course), then oil them lightly (also inside & out), use patches to lube the insides, then run a dry patch through the insides, wipe off the outsides, and reassemble. It takes longer to type than it does to do it.

Clean w/Hoppes, dry well, then store in safe for humidity protection (has Golden Rod)
Kevin G

I clean as needed, usually with a rag. I keep rust inhibitor chips in the boxes and have never had rust since I started using them.