Cleaning Completed Cases

K9 Big Dog · July 20, 2004, 10:42 AM

Okay, how's that for alliteration??!!

Here's my question:

What the easiest/fastest/best way to remove the lube from completed loads? It seems to me that wiping them off individually kind of defeats the speed and convenience purpose of the progressive press. Some guys have told me that they will tumble the new loads for a short time to remove the lube, and others have said not to tumble loaded ammo. Opinions? Tips? Thoughts?

Thanks,

Joe

Paul Fitz Jones · July 20, 2004, 01:47 PM

As a hobby and commercial reloader I would place the live ammo in my tumbler half full, pour corn cob media on top of them then add a quantity of kerosene on top of the media, stir it in a little than tumble for a few minutes. The keorsene removed the bullet lube, left a protective coating on the brass and the lead bullets so they would not corrode in storage especially long term storage. I have some ammo that is 30 years old and the lead bullets are not corroded.

I learned this from my commercial reloading mentor who loaded 3 million rounds a month and was asked to keep it a secret until he sold his Santa Maria factory to someone in Japan for a million dollars.

Jeeper · July 20, 2004, 01:55 PM

Watch tumbling hollowpoints if your media is large enought to get jammed in the end. Otherwise a tumble a lot of stuff to get the lube off. Of course if you use hornady one-shot lube then tumbling after is not necessary

steveno · July 20, 2004, 04:09 PM

for the 270 and 22-250 (Nickel plated Federal) I neck size only so just a tab of lube is required every once in a while inside the neck for the expanding plug. otherwise no other lube is required at all. for the 45-70 (nickel plated Federal) I use Hornady Unique case lube and wipe off after sizing. Hornady One-Shot doesn't work very well on nickel plated brass. all pistol dies are carbide so obviously no lube is required here at all.

Jeeper · July 20, 2004, 04:24 PM

Quote:

all pistol dies are carbide so obviously no lube is required here at all.

Not necessary but very very nice on a progressive. It makes it so much easier.

mete · July 21, 2004, 11:46 AM

Jeeper, you're right ,a SMALL amount of lube helps with carbide.Just touch your finger to the lube pad and a small amount will get on the cases, it's all you need. But rifle cases also don't need much and too much can collapse the shoulder.

July 20, 2004, 10:42 AM	#1
K9 Big Dog Junior Member Join Date: May 28, 2004 Posts: 13	Cleaning Completed Cases Okay, how's that for alliteration??!! Here's my question: What the easiest/fastest/best way to remove the lube from completed loads? It seems to me that wiping them off individually kind of defeats the speed and convenience purpose of the progressive press. Some guys have told me that they will tumble the new loads for a short time to remove the lube, and others have said not to tumble loaded ammo. Opinions? Tips? Thoughts? Thanks, Joe

July 20, 2004, 01:47 PM	#2
Paul Fitz Jones Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2002 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 266	Tumble Cleaning Live ammo As a hobby and commercial reloader I would place the live ammo in my tumbler half full, pour corn cob media on top of them then add a quantity of kerosene on top of the media, stir it in a little than tumble for a few minutes. The keorsene removed the bullet lube, left a protective coating on the brass and the lead bullets so they would not corrode in storage especially long term storage. I have some ammo that is 30 years old and the lead bullets are not corroded. I learned this from my commercial reloading mentor who loaded 3 million rounds a month and was asked to keep it a secret until he sold his Santa Maria factory to someone in Japan for a million dollars. __________________ Paul Fitz Jones Retired and Loving It Industry Manufacturer Competitor Police Firearms Instructor

July 20, 2004, 01:55 PM	#3
Jeeper Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2001 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 776	Watch tumbling hollowpoints if your media is large enought to get jammed in the end. Otherwise a tumble a lot of stuff to get the lube off. Of course if you use hornady one-shot lube then tumbling after is not necessary __________________ Gun control theory - A woman raped and strangled is morally superior to a woman with a smoking gun and a dead rapist at her feet.

July 20, 2004, 04:09 PM	#4
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	for the 270 and 22-250 (Nickel plated Federal) I neck size only so just a tab of lube is required every once in a while inside the neck for the expanding plug. otherwise no other lube is required at all. for the 45-70 (nickel plated Federal) I use Hornady Unique case lube and wipe off after sizing. Hornady One-Shot doesn't work very well on nickel plated brass. all pistol dies are carbide so obviously no lube is required here at all.

July 21, 2004, 11:46 AM	#6
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Jeeper, you're right ,a SMALL amount of lube helps with carbide.Just touch your finger to the lube pad and a small amount will get on the cases, it's all you need. But rifle cases also don't need much and too much can collapse the shoulder.