anybody else do this? (case lube and primer pocket cleaning novel ideas)

secondofangle2

secondofangle2

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    • Jul 3, 2017
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    #1
    First, I got my second die set from WTC (first was 50 BMG, now 375 CT) and this thread is not about the dies per se, but rather about WTC recs to NOT use water soluble lubes (most of them including RCBS) because they can cause rust inside the die. They recommend STP oil additive +/- dilution with 20% 30 weight motor oil (because STP is so thick). I've been using this and it works great but this is the first time in my 30+ years reloading that I came across this suggestion. Would 90 weight gearbox oil work too? Because I have leftover of that from my motorcycle maintenance days.

    Next, for (occasional) primer pocket cleaning, I used to use the RCBS wire thingies, but a while back I just started using a PP uniformer set at factory specs. It doesn't engage the brass of the PP, but it does clean the carbon down to a uniform depth very nicely, and I don't worry about it gouging the sides or going too deep.

    Maybe I'm late to the party on one or both of these things. Opinions and experiences invited.
     
    #2
    I use rcbs lube mixed like the lanolin mix and have never had even the slightest rust in my dies. I do clean them out from time to time with brake clean and then put really light oil and wipe off basically but still.... once the water is gone, it's gone, so not sure how that would cause rust just because the lube is water soluble.... guess it's possible but hasn't been an issue for me at all for a few years now.

    It's SO MUCH BETTER, because you just use hot water with a tiny bit of soap and lemishine in a bucket a d swish them around for a min and all the lube is off your brass and you have nice clean brass that's shiny but doesn't clean inside the necks much. No tumbling or any of that to get lube off and it sizes very consistently.
     
    #3
    Dan Warner told me that guys don't clean their dies after using water soluble lube and that's the problem. But I admit that I don't clean my dies after each use, nor do I want to. I have enough cleaning on my plate each day/week/month. Car, house, bike, barrel, yard, etc
     
    #13
    1728438957389.gif
     
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    #18
    Huskydriver said:
    Seriously.... Why tho....

    View attachment 8520415
    Click to expand...
    Powder and primers are stored inside, but all my reloading gear is stored out in the garage… Very humid, and have already lost too many tools and stuff to surface rust pitting.

    Hell, even the stabilizing arms (link arms) on my single stage Hornady press are starting to rust, and I keep that thing clean and wiped down at all times. :(

    Edit: to clarify, the WD40 is just used for storage… I use regular rcbs lanolin-based lube on my cases, and Hornady one shot on my dies…mostly because I love the way it smells! LoL
     
    #19
    91Eunozs said:
    Powder and primers are stored inside, but all my reloading gear is stored out in the garage… Very humid, and have already lost too many tools and stuff to surface rust pitting.

    Hell, even the stabilizing arms (link arms) on my single stage Hornady press are starting to rust. :(
    Click to expand...

    But it's brass?
     
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    #20
    I guess I’m confused…. I thought the OP was asking about storing dies.

    Edit: just read the title…LoL. I clicked the link from the home page, and the title was truncated. Mis-read the OP’s post and thought he was referring to the dies rusting.
     
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    #21
    91Eunozs said:
    I guess I’m confused…. I thought the OP was asking about storing dies.

    Edit: just read the title…LoL. I clicked the link from the home page, and the title was truncated. Mis-read the OP’s post and thought he was referring to the dies rusting.
    Click to expand...

    Lol fair... Thought you were talking about your brass. The dies yea I guess if you don't have a way of keeping em away from moisture that makes sense
     
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    #22
    Re: my brass, I way overdo it on that process unfortunately; mine is not an efficient nor easy process.

    1) I “wash” the still primed brass in hot water and a small bit of dish soap inside my tumbler drum
    2) Drain and rinse the brass, then de-prime
    3) Wash the now de-primed brass a second time with hot water, Lemishine, and a half pound or so of small stainless steel pins…the brass almost glows after this step, and the pockets are spotless:

    i-xGgKPLP-X4.jpg


    4) Inspect and resize/trim as necessary…usually don’t bother with this step for my AR ammo, just trim if necessary, deburr, and go.
    5) Wash a third time with just hot water and Lemishine in the tumbler drum.
    6) Final polish in the tumbler with walnut media, after air drying of course, for my nickel-plated cases and my ‘nice’ (i.e. expensive) brass
    7) Anneal as required… Every time on my 300WSM and 280AI; every 3rd time or so on my .308 and 300BLK cases.

    It’s retarded…I know. But it’s relaxing for me, and makes me happy to see the brass come out looking like little works of art when I’m finished, so I take the time to go through all this ass pain.
     
    Last edited:
    #23
    91Eunozs said:
    Re: my brass, I way overdo it on that process unfortunately; mine is not an efficient nor easy process.

    1) I “wash” the still primed brass in hot water and a small bit of dish soap inside my tumbler drum
    2) Drain and rinse the brass, then de-prime
    3) Wash the now de-primed brass a second time with hot water, Lemishine, and a half pound or so of small stainless steel pins…the brass almost glows after this step, and the pockets are spotless:

    i-xGgKPLP-X4.jpg


    4) Inspect and resize/trim as necessary…usually don’t bother with this step for my AR ammo, just trim if necessary, deburr, and go.
    5) Wash a third time with just hot water and Lemishine in the tumbler drum.
    6) Final polish in the tumbler with walnut media, after air drying of course, for my nickel-plated cases and my ‘nice’ (i.e. expensive) brass
    7) Anneal as required… Every time on my 300WSM and 280AI; every 3rd time or so on my .308 and 300BLK cases.

    It’s retarded…I know. But it’s relaxing for me, and makes me happy to see the brass come out looking like little works of art when I’m finished, so I take the time to go through all this ass pain.
    Click to expand...

    dr-phil.gif
     
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    #25
    I use a squirt of 3-n-1 oil on a gloved hand and then stir my brass around in a 1 gallon storage bag. Slickest lube I’ve ever used, absolutely zero drag when sizing and cleans up in an ultrasonic cleaner.

    I also used a PP uniformer to clean up the pockets. First used straightens the PP walls and then every use afterwards just skims the carbon off.
     
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