catdad
Member
Are you supposed to use lube with carbide dies for handgun rounds?
Using lube with carbide dies?
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Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Not needed, helps a bunch on those high pressure rounds though!
buck460XVR
Member
Using carbide dies, I don't for my .357 and .44 rounds, but I lube every other case when I load the .460s so I don't have to stand on the lever.
RCBS says every 4th or 5th case, but I find every other one is just easier.
RCBS says every 4th or 5th case, but I find every other one is just easier.
As you say, it won't hurt, but unless you have some cases that are hard to size it's sort of a waste of time. Not to mention the mess of cleaning up the cases after sizing. That's why I use carbide dies in the first place.
MrPhil
Member
As everyone else has stated, it is not required. That said, I lube straight wall cases using the "shake and bake" method. Spray a little Hornady One Shot case lube in bread bag, add a few hundred cases, shake/mash them around. Finished. Just enough lube to make handle pulling easier.
DJINCO
US Veteran
I use a wipe of imperial on 357 cases.
VAdoublegunner
Member
I give really hard brass like 454 Casull a light spray of Hornady One Shot, but otherwise not.
That's why they made carbide dies, so you don't need to use lube.
No, you don't need it with carbide dies. But with straight-walled cases, as is mentioned several times above, it makes it much easier. I use a tiny bit of Imperial Sizing Die Wax about every fourth or fifth case (rub it on the case very slightly) and it makes the sizing so much easier. I have barely used this small "tobacco-tin snuff size" can and I've used it for 40-50 years. It makes sizing so much "nicer." I use it with .44Mag and .45Colt cases.
sonny
sonny
G-ManBart
Member
I generally load in batches of a couple hundred at a time. Get some pure, unscented lanolin. Put 2-300 cases in a box. Dab a spot of lanolin on your hand that's maybe 1/3 the size of a pencil eraser. Work the lanolin into your hand (it softens as it gets warmer) and then run your hands through the cases in the box....just swish them around.
The cases will load easer and require no cleanup afterwards. Oh, the lanolin won't contaminate gunpowder either.
Most drug stores carry pure lanolin, but you'll normally have to ask the pharmacist for it....it's commonly used by nursing mothers.
A tube costs about $10 and will last for tens of thousands of cases. In fact, lanolin is the active lubricating ingredient in many commercial case lubes.
The cases will load easer and require no cleanup afterwards. Oh, the lanolin won't contaminate gunpowder either.
Most drug stores carry pure lanolin, but you'll normally have to ask the pharmacist for it....it's commonly used by nursing mothers.
A tube costs about $10 and will last for tens of thousands of cases. In fact, lanolin is the active lubricating ingredient in many commercial case lubes.
couleeflyfisher
Member
On .30 carbine cases they recommend you use a little lube, I put on every 6-8 case or so and it helps. Not necessary on any other straight wall cases like .44, .357, .40's or others.
Denver Dick
US Veteran
With straight walled cases, I lube every 8th to 10th case. It just keeps everything running smoothly during sizing. FWIW
DonD
Member
Altough I use carbide dies, resizing effort is pretty high with the .500 Mag so I use Hornady One Shot. It's quite unnecessary for my .357 reloading. Don
MrPhil
Member
Actually there is. If you use lube with carbide dies you reduce the effort needed to size your brass. I'll take anything I can get. Load a couple thousand rounds per month for a year or two. Your elbow and shoulder will thank you for using lubrication.
What I'm saying is "Try it. You might like it." If you don't like it, you've lost nothing.
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