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  #1  
Old 07-20-2017, 11:57 AM
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Default Carbide Dies

Do you guys use case lube with 38/357 carbide sizing dies? I typically do; but in a few cases I didn't. I couldn't tell much difference. Just wondering.
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Old 07-20-2017, 12:03 PM
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Even though its not needed I use lube as it makes things go smoother.
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Old 07-20-2017, 12:05 PM
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@OP,

I do not lube the cases when I run them through a carbide die. All I do is tumble them for about an hour or two, then I start production. That is the main reason that I try to avoid steel dies for reloading handgun ammo.
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Old 07-20-2017, 12:05 PM
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The only straight-walled cases I've lubed for carbide dies were some made OCD surgically clean in his liquid cleaner setup; insanely clean brass tries to stick.
Any brass run normally through a tumbler with walnut hulls goes through a carbide die just fine without lube.
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Old 07-20-2017, 12:10 PM
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Sometimes I use the smallest amount of lube just make resizing easier.

I get just a little oil on my finger, wipe it off, and then run my finger over just one case.

Usually that's enough to last for 20-30 rounds.

I've touched the 550b center piston to get the lube and have even touched a used lubricated patch to get just a tiny bit of lube on my finger.
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Old 07-20-2017, 12:35 PM
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Yes I do , I didn't at first...the lubes then were thick greasy stuff that had to be applied with a pad and wiped off after sizing , but then discovered resizing was just so much easier with a spritz of Lee Case Lube , mixed with denatured alcohol , a quick light spray and roll around , the cases were lubed and the stuff wasn't greasy or messy . Made for a lot less effort .
Gary
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Old 07-20-2017, 12:59 PM
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Spray a bit of Hornady One Shot in a large ziplock bag shake a bunch of cases in it, let dry and throw in case feeder. Makes press run so much smoother.
Is it needed like the wet tumbled shiny clean brass I use? I don't know but it works for me and that's all I care about.

Last edited by Carrier; 07-20-2017 at 01:00 PM.
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Old 07-20-2017, 01:32 PM
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I lube everything, all you need is a few drops in a zip lock bag, dump in your 100-200 empties, shake them up real good and they should all have enough lube. I wet tumble everything after prepping my brass these days so the lube is not an issue
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Old 07-20-2017, 01:38 PM
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I just tumble mine in walnut shells and load them. To each his own.

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Old 07-20-2017, 02:03 PM
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Depends on the die. I had a set of Lee .41 mag and they worked better with a lubed case, every dozen or so passes. ( I have read, probably here, that Lee sizers are sometimes on the tight side) I also have used an occasional lubed case when sizing some brands of 9mm and after shooting near max 44mag loads a little lube helps. Also on 30 carb. (because the instructions say so) It isn't going to hurt anything and if it makes the process go a little easier, why not?
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Old 07-20-2017, 02:08 PM
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I use carbide dies so I don't have to lube. If I wanted to lube cases, I wouldn't waste the cost of carbide dies.
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Old 07-20-2017, 02:37 PM
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I reload a lot. I add a little liquid car wax to my corncob media and when the brass shines it is ready to size with carbide. Every edge helps when you are trying to place.
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Old 07-20-2017, 02:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Flintstone View Post
Do you guys use case lube with 38/357 carbide sizing dies? I typically do; but in a few cases I didn't. I couldn't tell much difference. Just wondering.
Generally no, but it doesn't hurt anything. With larger 44mag & 45colt, it does help things run smoother to shoot a little OneShot on a few.
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Old 07-20-2017, 03:17 PM
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I had some brand new 357 Starline brass that was a little stiff and opted to lightly spray them prior to resizing... after shooting once I didn't seem to need to spray them again.
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Old 07-20-2017, 03:18 PM
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Quote:
Mr Flintstone wrote:
Do you guys use case lube with 38/357 carbide sizing dies?
On 38 and 45 cases, I use the Lee "toothpaste tube" resizing lubricant and lightly lubricate every fifth case. After resizing, I tumble all the sized cases in walnut media.

The carbide sizer is a ceramic so it has some porosity and those pores hold on to the lubricant from the first case for several that follow. For me, five seems like a good number. If you have a heavier or lighter hand with the lube, you may have to go every third or every tenth.
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Old 07-20-2017, 03:26 PM
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Not with those 357 thin walled cases. No lube needed. The only carbide dies I have that need lube on the cases are for my M1 Carbine. Those tend to be tough to size dry even in the carbide dies.
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Old 07-20-2017, 03:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hdwhit View Post
On 38 and 45 cases, I use the Lee "toothpaste tube" resizing lubricant and lightly lubricate every fifth case. After resizing, I tumble all the sized cases in walnut media.

The carbide sizer is a ceramic so it has some porosity and those pores hold on to the lubricant from the first case for several that follow. For me, five seems like a good number. If you have a heavier or lighter hand with the lube, you may have to go every third or every tenth.
It has always been my experience that carbide is VERY smooth. It is the super hard, smooth surface that negates the need for lubricant.
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Old 07-20-2017, 04:04 PM
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I've debated it myself, used the old Lube pads discussed in this thread, that's what i cut my teeth on, now how good and quick modern lubes spray on, the benefits, but alas, i do not lube handgun straight cases with mine. Before I got my RCBS ProChucker 7 I would process 600-800 pieces of 38 Special brass at a sitting with my carbide die, so fast the die was actually getting warm, all without lubing, without a single problem to either the die or the brass. I like to improve my processes, but found lubing was just a waste of time in this case.

Mind you, these loaded rounds go straight from the box, into the revolver or carbine, then straight back into the same box and straight back to the reloading bench, so they are clean. Then again, lube isn't the solution to dirty brass, either.
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Old 07-20-2017, 04:57 PM
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I make a few hundred and afterwards spray the dies out with a good douse of one shot cleaner lube spray. Then dry and the dies are good for the next run. That removes any fine metal debris
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Old 07-20-2017, 05:05 PM
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Been loading .357s and other handgun calibers on a Dillon 450, using Lee Carbide dies, since around 1982. Never even seen any case lube on my bench.
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Old 07-20-2017, 05:22 PM
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I use carbide dies for my 38/357's and for 45acp and I put the empty cases in a coffee can and give them a small shot of Hornady one shot case lube and resize deprime them. I then clean the in an ultra sonic cleaner. I know the case lube is not necessary with the carbide dies but they do make it easier to resize. Also I am using a single stage press. As for steel dies I used to have those but switched to carbide dies and they are easier to use.
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Old 07-20-2017, 06:08 PM
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Default If I lube....

I lube everything except 9mm If I lube cases I can sit at my bench and comfortably size anything up to my 30-06s. If I don't lube, I have to stand up and put my weight on the handle. It just makes everything so much easier.
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Old 07-20-2017, 06:14 PM
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All my dies are carbide. Of the seven calibers I load, 9 mm and 30 carbine are the only two I lube before resizing.
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Old 07-20-2017, 07:03 PM
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People who lube using carbide dies are doing it to make resizing a little easier, not to actually lube the cases.

Try it and you'll find it makes resizing much easier, especially with the larger calibers like 45 Colt.

.

Last edited by JBnTx; 07-20-2017 at 07:05 PM.
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Old 07-20-2017, 07:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JBnTx View Post
People who lube using carbide dies are doing it to make resizing a little easier, not to actually lube the cases.

Try it and you'll find it makes resizing much easier, especially with the larger calibers like 45 Colt.

.
And I am thinking its easier on the brass, less compression and pulling
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Old 07-20-2017, 09:39 PM
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I never lubed straight wall pistol cases with my lee carbide dies, just necked down rifle cases but after I bought a can of "one shot" I do exactly that-spray the casing tray with one spray over the 50. They go through like butta. And that one small can should last a long long time. I do it only to make the resizing easier for the brass to get more out of each casing before finding a split. So far only the occasional nickel plated will split many times through the process and not a problem with a brass case yet!
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Old 07-20-2017, 09:54 PM
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Quote:
I use carbide dies so I don't have to lube. If I wanted to lube cases, I wouldn't waste the cost of carbide dies.
Same here - and my brass is pre-rinsed and dried before sizing so I have never had a problem sizing them un-lubed - which is the reason for carbide dies in the first place..
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Old 08-07-2017, 05:53 PM
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I stopped lubing straight walled pistol cases when I got my first carbide sizer die about 45 years ago! No need for lube unless you like wiping it off I guess.
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Old 08-08-2017, 03:31 AM
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I do on the large pistol cases: 44Mag, 45 Colt, 460Mag & 500Mag. It makes them a little easier to size. (On 357Mag & 41Mag it's not as important but I still do it somethings, if I'm feeling weak. )

I lay them on their sides in a large flat pan (oil change pan) & spray some Hornady One Shot lube on them, mix them around & lightly spray them again. After sizing/depriming they go in the media tumber & come out dry & shiney.

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Old 08-08-2017, 05:48 AM
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Nope never have and don't think I ever will.
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Old 08-08-2017, 09:36 AM
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No,,that was the idea of me getting the carbide dies in the first place.
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Old 08-08-2017, 02:19 PM
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Never had any issue with .357 brass when resizing. However, there is a noticeable difference with/without lube on S&W 500 brass with a carbide sizer die.
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Old 08-08-2017, 04:36 PM
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I put a couple of squirts of RCBS case lube in a gallon zip lock bag then dump in a few hundred cases (I sometimes even clean them) and roll the bag around in my hands a bit. Takes a lot of load off my old arm and I suspect the cases and gear too.
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Old 08-09-2017, 01:54 AM
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I use a little Nu Finish wax in my tumbler and this is more than enough to resize any handgun cases I'm doing.
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Old 08-09-2017, 02:24 AM
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Quote:
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I use a little Nu Finish wax in my tumbler and this is more than enough to resize any handgun cases I'm doing.
I have just always worried that something in that product might negatively affect the powder with long term storage?
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Old 08-09-2017, 03:23 PM
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People should not confuse convenience with necessity. I never said that carbide needed to be lubricated, nor did I say it was not a hard material. I did say that carbide being a ceramic is porous. I also said that I did lubricate every n-th case. It makes the resizing operation go smoother and require less energy. You don't have to use lube with carbide dies, but I am not a simpleton because I choose to do so.
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Old 08-13-2017, 08:15 AM
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I lube 3 cases then about every 3th case with Imperial sizing wax because Redding die instructions recommends it. Lube cases size so much easier it almost feels like you forgot to put a case on on the shell holder when the ream is raised. This wax rubs off very easily. Redding Biogreen case lube did not clean off easily.
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Old 08-13-2017, 08:24 AM
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As a rule I don't lube handgun brass but I have on occasion, if it felt like I was having to put a little extra effort into the press. It does smooth things up a bit but probably isn't necessary with carbide. Don't think it hurts anything, if it helps then do it.
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Old 08-13-2017, 09:34 AM
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Used to use the trick of lubing a pad with a few drops of full synth motor oil, then lightly roll every 3-5th .223 on it as I loaded. Maybe I'll try this with my 460s the next session. They have be a bit hard on my near 70yo arm lately. Thanks for the thoughts here.
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Old 08-13-2017, 08:26 PM
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No reason to use lube on 38/357's with carbide Dies IMO. I've got a Dillon 650 and Dillon Carbide Dies = smooth as butter.
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Old 08-13-2017, 08:29 PM
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I do not lube 38/357 or 9mm or 45ACP, or 32SWL because I use carbide dies.
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Old 08-13-2017, 10:51 PM
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If I lube at all it's for .44 and .45 Colt. Those tend to put up some resistance, and some times my right elbow doesn't like it after the first hundred or two....I load about 1000 at a time.
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Old 08-13-2017, 11:28 PM
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When I get some range brass that has been fired in a Glock, for example, I squirt some One Shot into the die. It cuts down on the drag and I don't have to wipe off lube.
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Old 08-14-2017, 09:07 AM
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If I lube at all it's for .44 and .45 Colt. Those tend to put up some resistance, and some times my right elbow doesn't like it after the first hundred or two....I load about 1000 at a time.
I do not need lube for the .45 Colt either. Again, Dillon Dies on 650 press. The only dies I use lube on are .45-70 and .38-55 Rifle. Those Dies are RCBS and are NOT Carbide, but even if they were, they would need lube because of their sheer size.

Before I had a 650 I used the substantially smaller and less leveraged SD-B (for 30 years) and also never used lube on pistol calibers. With the 650 it's as easy as pie.
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Old 08-14-2017, 11:01 AM
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Quote:
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I do not need lube for the .45 Colt either. Again, Dillon Dies on 650 press. The only dies I use lube on are .45-70 and .38-55 Rifle. Those Dies are RCBS and are NOT Carbide, but even if they were, they would need lube because of their sheer size.

Before I had a 650 I used the substantially smaller and less leveraged SD-B (for 30 years) and also never used lube on pistol calibers. With the 650 it's as easy as pie.
I'm using a 650 with Dillon dies. The difference here is elbow quality
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  #46  
Old 08-20-2017, 09:16 AM
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Bohica793 Bohica793 is offline
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I find loading 9mm on my progressive goes a lot smoother if I spray some Hornady OneShot on the cases. It works without the case lube but is so much easier and smoother with it.
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  #47  
Old 08-26-2017, 03:28 PM
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I use carbide dies for .357, .45 long colt, and .45ACP. While I know carbide dies do not require lube, I think a light lube might extend the life of the die.
I use a found-on-the-net formula of a small amount (1/2 tbls) of lanolin mixed in a 12oz. bottle of IsoHeet (red bottle), mixed in a spray bottle.
I line a food take-out tray with a paper towel and spray that with the lube mix. then I put the cases in the tray and shake it back and forth to lube the cases. It does make cycling the cases easier...
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  #48  
Old 08-26-2017, 08:50 PM
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Quote:
patrickd wrote:
It is the super hard...
Carbide is very hard. I never said it was not. But as a carbide, it is also a ceramic and thus had porosity which can benefit from case lubrication (even when it is not strictly required) as it reduces sizing pressures and can minimize stretching of the case.
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  #49  
Old 08-26-2017, 08:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SMSgt View Post
I use carbide dies so I don't have to lube. If I wanted to lube cases, I wouldn't waste the cost of carbide dies.
My sentiments exactly.
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  #50  
Old 08-26-2017, 09:29 PM
bamacisa bamacisa is offline
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I thought that you don't have to lube cases when using carbide dies. I tumble my cases using walnut hulls, nu-finish auto wax and a little mineral spirits. No need to lube the cases. They resize almost effortless. I have been reloading since 1972 and have not had a single problem. Military cases also resize this way, although you can feel a slight difference because they are thicker.
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