Cleaning lubricated cases

Bob C · January 2, 1999, 01:15 PM

After some time, i'm back to lubricating cases ( for a 357SIG). I used Lee's water-based lube, and cleaned the cases after sizing in water, with dishwashing detergent. Can anyone suggest a better way to clean the lube off the cases?

I lube, BTW, with a cotton cloth strip or two, soaked with lubricant, in a clean coffee can. Tumbling the brass around in the can will lube the cases, and also leaves a bit on the mouth.

Walt Welch · January 2, 1999, 06:16 PM

Bob; buy a case tumbler from Dillon. Also, get some of their brass cleaner which you add to the media. Use ground walnut shells as your media; this is also available from Dillon.

Corncob media, the other type available, has a larger particle size, and particles tend to get stuck in the flash hole.

You can also tumble your loaded rounds to remove fingerprint oils, and leave a protective coat from the brass polish on the cases.

It is worth the cost. Walt Welch

docstodd · March 2, 2000, 07:21 PM

bob on my 357sig I use one shot case lube made by rcbs ( I think, comes in red a can)then when they are loaded I put them in my tumbler for about 20 min. so far has worked well for me. I also do this for my rifle calibers.

Paul B. · March 3, 2000, 02:54 AM

Doc. I have read that it is considered unsafe to tumble loaded ammo. Something to do with the grain size of the powder being altered by the tumbling, making it faster burning.
I tumble my brass to clean it with walnut shells and polishing solution by Lyman. All my handgun brass is done with carbide dies. Rifle brass has to be lubed, of course. Afdter sizing, I tumble them for about a half hour in corn cob media with no polish to remove the lube.
Then I load as usual.
Paul B.

beemerb · March 3, 2000, 10:27 PM

Lube -size-tumble-check primer pockets.It doesn't take but a couple of minuites and is the easy way of doing it.
Bob
PS-Tumbling loaded ammo if you are right on red line is a no no.Light loaded stuff is ok as the faster burn rate of the powder with smaller granuals will not hurt anything.All in all not a real good practice though.

docstodd · March 4, 2000, 03:42 PM

I checked with the seirra tec line before I started tumbling my ammo but breaking down the powder seams like a real concern. guess I may rethink this practice. would like to hear if any one has had problems doing it.I have been using blue dot in my 357 sig and H322 in my 223. 223 is loaded pretty hot so far no signs of high pressure but now I am a little worried

docstodd · March 4, 2000, 03:51 PM

BTW the guy at sierra told me he though it would be ok and I only tumble it for a short time 20min max usually it dosn't take that long to get the lube off. also wouldn't having ammo bounced around in a car do the same thing to the powder.

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January 2, 1999, 01:15 PM	#1
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 1999 Location: St. Louis, MO suburbs Posts: 386	After some time, i'm back to lubricating cases ( for a 357SIG). I used Lee's water-based lube, and cleaned the cases after sizing in water, with dishwashing detergent. Can anyone suggest a better way to clean the lube off the cases? I lube, BTW, with a cotton cloth strip or two, soaked with lubricant, in a clean coffee can. Tumbling the brass around in the can will lube the cases, and also leaves a bit on the mouth.

January 2, 1999, 06:16 PM	#2
Walt Welch Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 1998 Location: Alamo, CA Posts: 424	Bob; buy a case tumbler from Dillon. Also, get some of their brass cleaner which you add to the media. Use ground walnut shells as your media; this is also available from Dillon. Corncob media, the other type available, has a larger particle size, and particles tend to get stuck in the flash hole. You can also tumble your loaded rounds to remove fingerprint oils, and leave a protective coat from the brass polish on the cases. It is worth the cost. Walt Welch

March 2, 2000, 07:21 PM	#3
docstodd Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Posts: 51	bob on my 357sig I use one shot case lube made by rcbs ( I think, comes in red a can)then when they are loaded I put them in my tumbler for about 20 min. so far has worked well for me. I also do this for my rifle calibers.

March 3, 2000, 02:54 AM	#4
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,800	Doc. I have read that it is considered unsafe to tumble loaded ammo. Something to do with the grain size of the powder being altered by the tumbling, making it faster burning. I tumble my brass to clean it with walnut shells and polishing solution by Lyman. All my handgun brass is done with carbide dies. Rifle brass has to be lubed, of course. Afdter sizing, I tumble them for about a half hour in corn cob media with no polish to remove the lube. Then I load as usual. Paul B.

March 3, 2000, 10:27 PM	#5
beemerb Junior member Join Date: October 2, 1999 Location: AZ Posts: 1,759	Lube -size-tumble-check primer pockets.It doesn't take but a couple of minuites and is the easy way of doing it. Bob PS-Tumbling loaded ammo if you are right on red line is a no no.Light loaded stuff is ok as the faster burn rate of the powder with smaller granuals will not hurt anything.All in all not a real good practice though.

March 4, 2000, 03:42 PM	#6
docstodd Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Posts: 51	I checked with the seirra tec line before I started tumbling my ammo but breaking down the powder seams like a real concern. guess I may rethink this practice. would like to hear if any one has had problems doing it.I have been using blue dot in my 357 sig and H322 in my 223. 223 is loaded pretty hot so far no signs of high pressure but now I am a little worried

March 4, 2000, 03:51 PM	#7
docstodd Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Posts: 51	BTW the guy at sierra told me he though it would be ok and I only tumble it for a short time 20min max usually it dosn't take that long to get the lube off. also wouldn't having ammo bounced around in a car do the same thing to the powder.