Case lube questions

[max503]

I have recently begun loading 9mm. I've loaded many different calibers over the years.
I use Lee carbide dies. Seems it takes a lot of effort to size 9mm cases. Hornady One Shot case lube helps tremendously. Here's my questions:
-Do you ever use case lube with carbide dies?
-What's the best solvent to remove One Shot from sized cases. (Don't tell me to just leave it on because I won't.)

Thanks in advance and happy new year. I'm goin' shootin'

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The 9X19 is not a true straight-wall case, having a considerable taper contour. Carbide dies use an annular ring to resize to a single diameter suitable for obtaining case mouth dimension for bullet retention. Case mouth is then expanded to start the bullets, usually with a taper-crimp after seating. Result is a cartridge having a noticeable hour-glass configuration.

Yes, the force required for resizing can be greater than for the true straight-wall cases because the brass is being worked considerably more.

I recommend a first step of cleaning the brass completely prior to resizing, and doing this in a polishing medium will make passage through the resizing die much easier. As a second step there is nothing wrong with lightly lubricating the cases prior to resizing; I frequently apply a light lube on every 10th case and that significantly reduces the force required.

I use a wax lubricant so the residue is dry, easily removed with a rough cloth (old towel, etc), or another run through the case tumbler with walnut shell media to remove any residue. The oil or grease based lubricants will require cleaning, which I have done with a bit of mineral spirits on a rag followed by a dry rag.

 

[expendable]

I use One Shot on all of my 45acp and 9mm cases before sizing with carbide dies, makes them run through the 550 much smother.

I won't tell you to just leave it on after, but I do and have for many years without a problem.

Kurt

 

[rockquarry]

I've never lubed brass for sizing any handgun cartridges since going to carbide sizing dies, thirty-five or so years ago. However, if brass required much effort in the size die, I would lube.

It may mean nothing, but I very seldom use any range pickup brass for handgun cartridges and almost always use new or once-fired Winchester for 9mm and .45 ACP.

 

[Funflyer]

I use lanolin and alcohol to lube my brass. After loading I dump the rounds on a towel, fold it over, then run my hand back/forth on the towel.

 

[the_buckshot_kid]

I've never had to lube cases with carbide dies except for .460S&W cases. I still believe that Imperial Die Wax is the best lube out there but Hornady One Shot is a ton easier and quicker.

 

[GypsmJim]

I have been reloading 9mm in Lee carbide dies for 40+ years. Never found them hard to resize.

The only cases I lube are rifle calibers in regular dies and I use the Lee lube in a tube. Their instructions say it dries and no need to clean afterwards, so that's what I do.

 

[Mistered]

I ALWAYS perform a pre cleaning of my brass somewhat simply but it works and I never have any sizing issues.

Since I liquid tumble I use the tumbler to perform my pre cleaning.

I have a plastic container I put my fired brass in with hot water, a few drops of Dawn and a 'shot' of lemon juice then tumble the brass for a while (no pins). I take it out rinse, dry and put it in storage for future loading.

The dawn, lemon juice and the tumbling action of the brass against itself cleans it quite well and enough to allow for easy sizing of pistol brass in my carbide die WITHOUT lube.

After depriming, sizing & flaring they get a full tumbling with pins for a 'real' cleaning.

 

[growr]

Having loaded many thousands of handgun cartridges with carbide dies I haven't often need a lube, but when I do notice things getting more than it should to resize,

I just spray Hornady One Shot Spray Lube, have never needed to remove the lube as it dries to a near imperceptible layer that has NEVER interfered with loading OR firing in any handgun or rifle for that matter.

I don't understand your insistence on removing it as it causes NO problems.

Randy

PS. Maybe you could spray one casing, let it dry and take another without lube and with a high precision micrometer measure the thickness difference.................probably not measureable

 

[rockquarry]

When I lube rifle cases, regardless of the lube used, I remove it in a vibratory tumbler using either walnut or corn cob media. Only takes a little while.

As for the lube itself, I've used many in the last fifty-five years and they've all worked. My favorite is probably Imperial, but I can't really tell if it offers anything over Vaseline or the first lube I ever used, Vicks VapoRub.

 

[Krogen]

In post #2, LoboGunLeather brings up a good point. If your dies don't have a full-length carbide insert, then that could be the culprit. As he says, the 9mm case has a significant taper. The sizing die has to squeeze down the case so it fits the chamber and provide enough neck tension. That's quite a challenge if you have a carbide ring that's shorter than the case itself.

I use an old RCBS die set. It cost me a pretty penny back in the 80's. Presumably, it's because the sizer has a full-length carbide ring. It matches the case taper. The result is the re-sized case looks like a new one; other than some dings from firing. With reasonably clean cases, I've never needed lube.

I suggest you have a look at your sizer. Does it have one short ring? Two short rings? Or one full-length ring?

 

[max503]

I'm going to lightly lube the cases then rub them around on a rag dampened with solvent. Shouldn't be a problem.
I don't understand why it takes so much effort to size these cases. The flairing die is also a bear to use. The cases want to stick in it.
I've never had issues like this before and I've reloaded 45 acp, 380, 44 mag, 38, and 357. I'm stumped.

 

[expendable]

Is it brand new unfired brass or wet tumbled?
Those both can be more difficult to size and bell.

 

[Carrier]

I use Hornady spray case lube on all my pistol brass brass as press runs much smoother especially 44 magnum and 45 Colt.

 

[jag22]

I didn't read all the posts so sorry if this a repeat. When I come home from the range everything goes in the tumbler for a couple hours. Next spray with One Shot (yes I have carbide dies) and proceed to deprime and size. Then back to the tumbler for maybe ten minutes and then I'm ready to continue.

 

[k22fan]

My RCBS and Pacific Dura-chrome 9 mm carbide sizers which I bought during the mid 1970s have full length tapered carbide inserts. They were more expensive than the same brands' carbide dies for straight walled cases. I've never considered lubing 9 mm brass because it resizes easily in them. Before reading this thread I was blissfully unaware that tool manufacturers had cheapened their 9 mm carbide resize dies. I'd like to know which brands currently are selling 9 mm sizers with a straight sided carbide ring and approximately when manufacturers quit selling tapered carbide 9 mm sizers.

I do not remember using one but logically, since Hornady's resizers use a titanium nitrate plated resizing ring, it should have been affordable for them to continue selling tapered 9mm resizeing dies after they quit using carbide rings.

Every time a reloading die has not worked well for me I have mailed it back to the manufacturer and it was replaced for free. I have sent FL rifle sizers along with fired cases from my rifles back to RCBS and Lyman. The dies they sent back were either hand selected or cut to be ideal for my rifles. I remember Lee replaced tools for free but I do not remember sending them dies. I suggest the original poster call the manufacturer and request warranty service. The working surfaces of his resizer and expander might be too rough. The manufacturers know that they are selling to a tiny percent of the population and that many of us will reload for life. They do not want to loose customers.

 

[Moe Mentum]

Lubing is not required with carbide dies, But..... I do, makes it a lot easier on these old bones... I make my own lube with lanolin and alcohol. It dries out , and I don't remove it. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Peak53]

I'm with K22fan on this one. I load 9mm in Lee carbide dies without lube (walnut tumbling adds some dust lubrication) and find it the easiest of all calibers I reload on my Lee classic turret press. Something is not adding up. I wonder if Lee should take a look at these dies.

 

[Beecherkid]

Is it brand new unfired brass or wet tumbled?
Those both can be more difficult to size and bell.

I have experienced this also. I have since tumbled new cases with walnut media and it helped.

 

[cmj8591]

I use carbide dies so that I DON'T have to lube the cases. Your really shouldn't have a problem sizing 9mm without lube so long as the cases are brass and are relatively clean. If you are having problems with the carbide dies, it might be something beyond the lube. If you are sizing brass that comes from a chamber that is out of spec that could cause a problem. Sometimes brass that comes from a carbine or sub machine gun can be a bit bloated after firing and might go into the die a little stiffly. Other than that, they should slide in and out without undue force.