The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old April 6, 2013, 07:34 PM   #1
ocracokenc
Member
 
Join Date: February 18, 2013
Posts: 19
Cleaning Lee carbide pistol dies

I was wondering if anybody cleans their dies? I have the Lee 45acp, 40sw/10mm carbide dies and I use the lee sizing lube mixed 10 to 1 with alcohol. I started to use lube after reading the Lee reloading manual. In it he says that with really clean brass it can help to use his lube mixed 10 to 1. I have been using wooden q-tips and straight alcohol and then a small amount of Rem-oil on a q-tip then several to remove all the residue. I am wondering if this can cause problems or is it ok? I do it after every use. Thanks
ocracokenc is offline  
Old April 6, 2013, 08:00 PM   #2
jag2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 30, 2009
Location: dallas
Posts: 773
Should be okay. I clean mine out occasionally with CLR or Kroil. I even use a little One Shot on my 9mm even with carbide dies, just makes it a little easier. 45 ACP is okay without it. A little cleaning and lube never hurt anything.
jag2 is offline  
Old April 6, 2013, 09:16 PM   #3
Fire_Moose
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 16, 2013
Posts: 211
Re: Cleaning Lee carbide pistol dies

I thought it was 10:1 with water....

That's what I've been using. Dont have the Lee book to double check. Any help?
Fire_Moose is offline  
Old April 7, 2013, 07:22 AM   #4
ocracokenc
Member
 
Join Date: February 18, 2013
Posts: 19
In the Lee Moderen reloading second edition on page 52 Richards writes this" Carbide dies usually eliminate the need to lubricate the cases. There are exceptions. If cases are excessively clean, some of the brass will rub off on the carbide. The dirt, soot, oxides and oil on the case keeps the case from galling the carbide. None of the foreign matter on the brass case is hard enough to damage your die. If you clean your brass in a vibrator with fresh media, you may need a slight amount of lube. You can even use a light spray of furniture polish. Lubricating your cases with the lee sizing lube as it comes from the tube is gross over kill. Dilute it with 10 parts water or even better use rubbing alcohol."
ocracokenc is offline  
Old April 7, 2013, 09:00 AM   #5
lee n. field
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 12, 2002
Location: The same state as Mordor.
Posts: 5,568
Quote:
I was wondering if anybody cleans their dies?
Only the seating die, when I notice that bullet lube has built up in it.
__________________
"As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. "
lee n. field is offline  
Old April 7, 2013, 01:35 PM   #6
Fire_Moose
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 16, 2013
Posts: 211
Re: Cleaning Lee carbide pistol dies

Thanks ocra.
Fire_Moose is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.03387 seconds with 10 queries