Press cleaning and maint

308Loader · April 24, 2016, 03:33 PM

Shooting season is here

. My presses have ben going overtime making range ammo. Looking for suggestions on cleaning regiment for dies, 4hole turret, and a single stage.

What to clean with?
What to lube with?

I've ben wiping down the press with rem wipe's and rem oil or graphite depending.

Dies, I've used alcohol, break cleaner, sonic cleaner. Best has ben Q-tip with rubbing alcohol to remove lube inside and rem oil/wipe outside.

The single stage press feels dry, the 4 hole indexing is getting weak, and don't want to wreck my dies or brass.

Thanks and happy shooting to all!

burrhead · April 24, 2016, 04:34 PM

I clean dies with Hoppes and, after wiping them dry, spray them down with dry lube. I have two single stage presses and a LNL AP. The powder coated parts of the presses just get wiped with a clean rag. The uncoated parts (the rams, handles, etc) wiped clean and a thin coat of lithium grease on the rams and dry lube on the rest. A little CLP on the pivot points.

I live in the desert so rust isn't really a problem, dust is. I keep them covered when not in use. Your mileage will vary if you're having to deal with humidity.

springer99 · April 24, 2016, 05:17 PM

Clean and lube with One-Shot. It'll do the job and won't pick up the primer debris and loose powder likes other tend to do.

April 24, 2016, 03:33 PM	#1
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	Press cleaning and maint Shooting season is here. My presses have ben going overtime making range ammo. Looking for suggestions on cleaning regiment for dies, 4hole turret, and a single stage. What to clean with? What to lube with? I've ben wiping down the press with rem wipe's and rem oil or graphite depending. Dies, I've used alcohol, break cleaner, sonic cleaner. Best has ben Q-tip with rubbing alcohol to remove lube inside and rem oil/wipe outside. The single stage press feels dry, the 4 hole indexing is getting weak, and don't want to wreck my dies or brass. Thanks and happy shooting to all!

April 24, 2016, 04:34 PM	#2
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	I clean dies with Hoppes and, after wiping them dry, spray them down with dry lube. I have two single stage presses and a LNL AP. The powder coated parts of the presses just get wiped with a clean rag. The uncoated parts (the rams, handles, etc) wiped clean and a thin coat of lithium grease on the rams and dry lube on the rest. A little CLP on the pivot points. I live in the desert so rust isn't really a problem, dust is. I keep them covered when not in use. Your mileage will vary if you're having to deal with humidity. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

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April 24, 2016, 05:17 PM	#3
springer99 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2008 Posts: 355	Clean and lube with One-Shot. It'll do the job and won't pick up the primer debris and loose powder likes other tend to do.