To Lube or not to Lube

[fredj338]

l dont lube strait wall cases sized with carbide dies. However, l tumble polish all cases before sizing..lt is much easier to size a clean case while keeping my dies dirt free too.

If you use a little polish like nu-finish, it slicks the cases up nicely. Almost like oneshot, but not quite. New brass & ss pin/wet cleaned are the worst for stickyness.

 

[rwsmith]

A little lube.....

A little lube reduces effort. It just makes it easier. Now, I had some Starline brass that was as hard as brickbats that I had to lube like rifle cases to keep from pushing my single stage Rockchucker RCBS press to the edge of its limits, as well as my bench.

 

[kbm6893]

I'm guessing you shouldn't lube after inserting the primers into the case? I batch load. Tumble a bunch. Resize and deprime. Expand. Then prime them. I have over 1000 9MM and 1500 38 cases ready for powder and bullets.

 

[MN2944]

I'm guessing you shouldn't lube after inserting the primers into the case? I batch load. Tumble a bunch. Resize and deprime. Expand. Then prime them. I have over 1000 9MM and 1500 38 cases ready for powder and bullets.

There's no need to lube at that point. The seating die only makes tight contact at the crimp. It won't stick.

 

[fla_gun]

9mm is the only case I lube before sizing.

 

[just plain joe]

I've been reloading pistol/revolver cartridges since 1972.

When using carbide dies I see no need to use any type of lubricant. That being said, I always make certain that the cases, be they brass or nickel, are tumbled and cleaned. This minimizes wear on the die as well as the case of the cartridge.

JPJ