sizeing lube for 45acp

black_ump

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 16, 2007
1,054
0
40
erie,pa 16334
i was watching a video last night where a guy was using the rcbs bullet feeder on a lee loadmaster, he was loading 45acp.

before he started he sprayed a sizing lube on the brass. I was always told carbide dies dont require any lub so why lube them ? just for a smoother sizing operation ?
 
Re: sizeing lube for 45acp

Yes, I spray my pistol cases with one-shot prior to using my dillon even though my dies are carbide. Its not required, but the difference in effort and smoothness are pretty obvious.
 
Re: sizeing lube for 45acp

OneShot, dump the cases in a large ziplock bag, I usually do 200 40s&w at a time, spray for about 5 seconds close the bag almost all the way and roll the cases around to evenly coat the cases, after loaded I sometimes will wipe the clean sometimes not
 
Re: sizeing lube for 45acp

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OneShot, dump the cases in a large ziplock bag, I usually do 200 40s&w at a time, spray for about 5 seconds close the bag almost all the way and roll the cases around to evenly coat the cases, after loaded I sometimes will wipe the clean sometimes not </div></div>

i was thinking this same thing with some sort of spray lube, hmm i might just start doing this.

thanks for the heads up guys
 
Re: sizeing lube for 45acp

I've never used lube on any of my Dillon's with carbide dies. Over 100K + and still going. The case lube will not hurt anything, just another step. Don't try this with rifle dies! Been there done that!!!

Paul
 
Re: sizeing lube for 45acp

Any cases going into a carbide die are just cleaned, not lubed. That way I don't have to worry about dirt/etc. scratching the carbide, nor bother cleaning the lube off of the loaded rounds. I like dry loaded rounds to keep breech face thrust to a minimum. YMMV.
 
Re: sizeing lube for 45acp

"I was always told carbide dies dont require any lub so why lube them ? just for a smoother sizing operation?"

It's not necessary to lube cases for a carbide die but a little case lube will certainly make things go easier. But that's not it's main value.

Pushing two dry metals together under pressure will eventually have the softer rub off in bits onto the harder, it's called "galling". The bits will stick as firmly as if it were welded. Those initially small bits will grow and scratch the following cases and, eventually, may become large enough to actually damage them. A tad of lube will help prevent galling.
 
Re: sizeing lube for 45acp

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lovetsx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I lube the first round then every 6 rounds. Makes thing run a lot smother. </div></div>

Ditto
 
Re: sizeing lube for 45acp

Fuzzball,

Have you experienced galling of brass onto carbide with carbide pistol dies. I've loaded thousands of .38, .44, .45, and 9mm. I've had galling occur using steel dies that ended up scratching the cases. If you want to call it galling.

Ended up with something in the die. As cases were sized, the brass would build up itself on the grit in the die and subsequent scratches on the cases kept getting more pronounced. Disassembled the die and polished it to remove the grit/trash/brass buildup.

But I never thought about brass galling on the carbide insert in pistol dies, since they are marketed to be used without lube. It would make the sizing process easier though.
 
Re: sizeing lube for 45acp

I tried lubing .45ACP loaded on a 650. I could feel the difference, but not enough to make it worth my effort. I do use lube on mag cases and .45 Colt.
 
Re: sizeing lube for 45acp

If you are going to use a lube such as Hornady One shot, here are a few tips I have learned over the years...

If you spray into a plastic bag, use the red nossel plastic tip on the side of the can. It will direct the lube onto the brass and not onto the bag itself. Less wasted spray.

After spraying the brass in a bag, I do not roll it around. The lube comes off of the brass and sticks to the bag. Again, less wasted spray.

Just spray and let it sit for a few minutes. The whole case (360 degrees) does not need to be sprayed. Even if only one side is sprayed, eventually, the lube makes it into the die evenly.

JS