To Lube or not to Lube

[GyMac]

I've been watching some entertaining reloading videos on youtube and some of the hosts recommend that pistol cases be lubed before resizing, even in carbide dies. The case lube is one of those spray-on types that dry. I know that I don't need to lube, but should I? What do you think?

 

[mr-mom]

When using carbide dies I lube about every 10th case. Not necessary, but it does make things go smoother.
Dave
SWCA #2778

 

[Deadctr]

Likewise. About every 10th or 15th case. Keeping your dies clean helps too. Problem with lubes that don't dry, is they attract dirt, inside your dies.

 

[arjay]

I've got some brass that I washed instead of using my tumbler and a bit of lube made a big difference when I resized them.The dust from walnut or cob acts like a lube otherwise.

 

[jag22]

I think the question is why not lube. It is noticeably easier to de-prime, especially 9mm since it is not a straight wall case. I don't get the idea for every tenth round or so. Spray lube them however you want (I use a plastic zip lock bag) and go to town. Just throw them back in your tumbler for a few minutes and you're ready for the next step. Actually, I initially tumble for a while before I spray lube so my brass is a little cleaner when it goes in the die and then after de-priming I'll let it go for an hour or so until it as clean and shiny as I want it to be.

 

[DWalt]

As I posted earlier, just as a test, I lubed some .38 Special cases with Johnson's paste wax, followed by resizing in a carbide RCBS die after the wax dried. I found that they resized much more easily, and not nearly as messy as using the normal case lubes (I normally use STP). I have not gone beyond that first test yet, but I will later this week.

Incidentally, Johnson's paste wax is miracle stuff. Wax your guns to keep them from rusting. It also works as a bullet lube.

 

[gwpercle]

No you don't have to do it. It does makes sizing easier, so I do it. I mix up some Lee case sizing lube with alcohol and spritz some on the cases, a quick roll around on towel and they are done and not greasy.
Why make things harder than they have to be.
Gary

 

[Rule3]

No you don't have to do it. It does makes sizing easier, so I do it. I mix up some Lee case sizing lube with alcohol and spritz some on the cases, a quick roll around on towel and they are done and not greasy.
Why make things harder than they have to be.
Gary

I do the same only do not roll in a towel. I use a plastic tray and just let them dry for a few minutes. I do not remove it. The LEE lube is water based, and even inside a case if dry will not mess up the powder or primer.

Very dilute mix and a light spritz. Makes a big difference in sizing,

 

[SLT223]

Even if you are using carbide dies, lubing the cases is easier on everything, including your shoulder. The latter point is important to me if I'm loading more than a couple hundred rounds.

 

[SMSgt]

I don't lube straight-walled cases. Resizing is not that difficult. Much easier than a 12 oz curl.

 

[DWalt]

I don't lube straight-walled cases. Resizing is not that difficult. Much easier than a 12 oz curl.

Say that for someone like me with a failed rotator cuff surgery. It doesn't take much exertion to cause me pain. That's why I tried the Johnson's paste wax treatment.

 

[uechikid]

I've done it both ways, but using a small amount of lube sure makes my SDB run really smooth. I use a home made lanolin and alcohol lube. I spray a small amount into a ziplock bag then add my brass. Roll the brass around until they all have lube on them. Works great for me.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I do like a couple of the others. Take about 10% of the cases out of the pile, lube them, run a couple of them thru the press and then run a lubed case about every 10 or so. Makes things run much smoother. Easier on my shoulder too.

 

[fredj338]

As noted, with carbide pistol dies, no lube is needed, but, It does make sizing easier. I will spray a handful of cases with Hornady one shot. I either toss them into the case feeder on the 650 with the rest, or feed one every 4-5 if loading on my 550. It just makes pulling the handle easier.

 

[MrG5122]

A little One Shot makes a 650 run like butter loading pistol ammo.

 

[Nemo288]

I lube, especially nickel plated cases.
I have found that the nickel can gall onto the carbide and start scratching the cases.
If needed, I run a tight patch with some JB or lead cloth using a drill into the carbide ring(s) to get the fouling off.
Even the slightest lube keeps this from happening.
I use the RCBS spray but even the normal oil and sweat on your fingers will work

===
Nemo

 

[Boogsawaste]

I'm pretty new to loading but I do not use lube with the carbide I have. I only have 38/357 guns so I only load for them. This is also done on a lee classic turret so it's only doing one operation at a time. Sizing requires very little force. I even shortened the pull handle...I'm such a rebel.


But now that I see everyone seems to use at least some sort of lube, even occasionally, I'm going to try some out.

 

[moxie]

Try it. If it makes life easier for you, do it.

I've reloaded over 50,000 handgun rounds and have never used lube, except once as a test. I didn't see any difference.

 

[fredj338]

Try it. If it makes life easier for you, do it.

I've reloaded over 50,000 handgun rounds and have never used lube, except once as a test. I didn't see any difference.

Then you used the wrong lube. It will vary with caliber, smaller will have less friction, but lubing case with something does make a diff in the effort needed. For decades I never bothered, running a progressive, you really feel the diff with most any case lube. I prefer OneShot, doesn't have to be removed, easy to batch apply.

 

[GyMac]

Thanks for the input! I'll give it a try to see if it makes the reloading smoother. Sometimes it does feel kind of sticky in .38. I've heard that it might make the dies last longer, but I've already been using 2 sets for over 20 years without a problem.