Cleaning Reloading Dies

[Tactical30]

I had just recently got into reloading about 2 months ago.

I was wondering if I should (after X amount of reloads) disasemble my Dies, mainly the resize/decap die and clean them.
If i do, what type of cleaning solution and tools/method should i use so i dont scratch anything. Or is this (cleaning) not needed?

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Cleaning Reloading Dies

Not rocket science. Spray them with a cheap oil/lube after each use to prevent rust, put them away.

Each time you begin a new loading session, remove the guts, clean the dies inside and the decap stem/rod and seating plug as needed with cheap (Walmart) spray carb or brake cleaner. Wipe the wet insides with a swab made of toilet tissue or paper towel wrapped around a pencil. If you don't have any spray cleaner just use a dollop of mineral spirits/paint thinner, denatured alcohol or the same spray oil you used for protection to wet the swab and clean the die insides.

Do that and you will not have rust or scratches from stray grit or dust.

Keep a dummy round in your die box as a transfer gage to reset the various adjustments quickly. Nothing to it really.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Cleaning Reloading Dies

I rinse the insides with lighter fluid and remove the decapping rod & expander ball unit and brush with a stiff paint brush. Blow out with canned air or low pressure air hose. Reassemble when their dry and load.

 

[polish handgunner]

Re: Cleaning Reloading Dies

I use a Q-Tip soaked with Hoppe's #9 to clean my sizing and seating dies.

 

[nicholst55]

Re: Cleaning Reloading Dies

I disassemble mine periodically and clean them with whatever solvent is handy. I use a pistol cleaning rod with a patch holder and a .50 patch. A nylon brush helps to get any serious crud out. I then dry them and apply a light coat of case lube to the inside of the sizing die.

It's also a good idea to disassemble new dies and clean them thoroughly. No telling what kind of crap is inside them from assembly. A lot of people recommend a light fluff-n-buff on the insides with a bore mop and Flitz or Simmichrome metal polish.

 

[Mag 300]

Re: Cleaning Reloading Dies

Lighter fluid and it also works great on cleaning a trigger mechanism
Bill


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I rinse the insides with lighter fluid and remove the decapping rod & expander ball unit and brush with a stiff paint brush. Blow out with canned air or low pressure air hose. Reassemble when their dry and load. </div></div>

 

[magyarbetyar]

Re: Cleaning Reloading Dies

I just hose them down with brake cleaner and blow off with low pressure air.