Case lube and stuck cases - darnit

[PBratton]

Andy,

Your post was timely for me. I just got through pounding a stuck piece of brass out of my sizing die...

Just ordered a tub of Unique.

[threoh8]

And I'm just now trying out spray lube. Hmmm ...
For years I used the Lee lube that came in a tube for most of my cases. I'd squeeze some onto an old Army brown towel, dump cases in the middle, and roll them back and forth. Worked pretty well.
For my "precision" rifle loads, I used RCBS lube on a pad. Neck size only situations got Imperial die wax.

I'm a little surprized at the issue with Lee dies. Lee's have usually been easier for me to work with when things go wrong.

[markthenewf]

Yup, good stuff. I've got about 2000 rounds done on a tub so far without a hitch. Just dab your finger/thumb in there and swizzle the case between them and you're golden.

[speedsix]

...don't know if I did it right or not...but when I was reloading .38 and .44 Special...I hated that sticky pad lube and someone told me to buy a carbide sizing die and I did...never lubed another case...I'm not making a recommendation, but it worked for me in those calibers... http://www.midwayusa.com/product/148525 ... g-_-148525" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ...some of the reviews say great... some say Redding're better...I dunno...

[v-rog]

Andy, does Lee make carbide dies for the .308 where you do not have to lube the shell?

[speedsix]

...Lee's are $30 for the set and the reviews say they don't need lube...I have no experience with 'em...but I thought that's the whole point of carbide...

SCRATCH THAT!!! Google had 'em under carbide and they're not...


those reviews and that linked set are wrong...went to Lee's own site and they said they don't even make carbide rifle dies...don't know where those "reviews" got tied to the wrong dies...found where even folks who used other brands of carbide dies said sooty shells or lubing every 5th one was necessary in bottle-necked shells...

[ddstuder]

I was using Hornady One Shot Case Lube and kept getting .223 stuck in the sizing die. I called Hornady, and asked them why this was happening.
They sent me a tub of Unique and a stuck brass removal kit for free. I am glad that I went with Hornady equipment, as they have been a pleasure to deal with and have sent me some freebies.

I agree it is a pleasure to use. Not only does the brass flow in like butter, it also conditions your hands, has a pleasing odor and will water proof your boots!

[MoJo]

I agree it is a pleasure to use. Not only does the brass flow in like butter, it also conditions your hands, has a pleasing odor and will water proof your boots!

If it would only cure a broken heart!

[v-rog]

I learn something new each day! thanks.

Straight-walled cases (such as the typical handgun case) don't need to be lubed if they're run through dies with a carbide sizing-ring - the diameter of the case doesn't change, so it's simple from an engineering perspective.

A bottle-necked case has changing diameters up and down its length, so a single carbide ring won't size everything. There are carbide dies for rifle, but they're extremely expensive as it's not just a ring at the entrance to the die but a shaped insert which runs the entire length inside the die - and they still require lube :(

[speedsix]

...I did, too, stuff I never considered before...and, while digging, I learned what carbide IS...it's been a good morning...

[steelhawk]

I bought a tub of that Unique lube years ago. It got misplaced. I found it again recently and it is solid now. Is there something I can add or do to get it back into a useable state?

I guess I am lucky that I have never had a stuck case, but I guess I am due for one after all these years. I came close one time, though.