Do you lube pistol brass when resizing? - Page 2

BillM · January 24, 2022, 11:03 AM

95% of my reloading is pistol, with 80% of that 9mm. 10,000 plus
per year in that caliber. I give it all a little spritz of Hornady One Shot.
40 and 45 it doesn't make a huge difference, they are straight wall
cases. On the tapered 9mm case the difference is VERY noticeable.
For practice/local match ammo I don't do anything to remove any
residual lube. For major match ammo I give it 10 minutes in some
fine walnut (Lizard Litter) because SHINY!

Unique · January 24, 2022, 11:48 AM

Pistols with carbide dies, never have but I might give it a try.
I know it’ll make it easier but to be honest I’ve never had a problem in the last 30 plus years.

gwpercle · January 24, 2022, 07:15 PM

I found a little case lube made sizing , even with a carbide sizer, so much easier !
I like it when things slip into and out of a hole nice and easy ... I don't have a problem with a little lube ...easy in - easy out , what's not to like .
I use Lee Case Lube , thinned with alcohol and applied with a spray bottle ...
Spray on a light film , let dry and carry on ...not messy .
Gary

**Aguila Blanca** · January 24, 2022, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow9mm

Do you lube your pistol brass before sizing?

Yes -- not with the liquid stuff used to lube bottleneck rifle cases, but with Hornady's One-Shot aerosol case lube. It dries almost instantly, but it leaves a wax (?? I guess) coating that makes resizing effort significantly less. I also use carbide dies, but I lube anyway.

THEWELSHM · January 24, 2022, 07:52 PM

I reload everything Magnum tumble in walnut finish in walnut with new shine. Don’t need to..

Thewelshm

rclark · January 24, 2022, 08:59 PM

All straight walled cases use the carbide resizing die, so no lubing required. All other cases I do. Nor do I clean the brass every session either (nothing hits the ground). Not necessary.

Beagle333 · January 24, 2022, 09:22 PM

No. But I always use carbide.

ragsflh · January 26, 2022, 12:21 PM

i lube.easier on brass

buck460XVR · January 26, 2022, 03:16 PM

I lube about every other case when sizing my .460 brass even tho I use carbide dies. Makes so I don't have to stand on the press handle.

Nick_C_S · January 26, 2022, 07:39 PM

Quote:

. . . my .460 brass . . .

I bet those are fun to load.

jetinteriorguy · January 28, 2022, 07:39 AM

Never lubed a single straight wall pistol case in over 30 years of using carbide dies. I have loaded many thousands of rounds in 9mm, .38sp, .357mag, and .41mag and have never had any issues with decreased case life. I have some.38sp brass that I bought from an old target shooter about ten years ago and I wouldn’t be surprised if these things are 40 years or more old and been loaded so many times it’s hard to count, so far I haven’t lost a one. Some of my .41 brass is the very first stuff I bought back in the 80’s and the only ones I’ve lost were crappy Remington brass after a couple dozen reloads.

**Unclenick** · January 28, 2022, 04:54 PM

It's too bad. From what I read, Remington once made great brass, while Peters made a lot of thinner wall stuff that work-hardened fast. Looks like when the two combined, Remington picked up the Peters designs rather than sticking with their own.

Kevin Rohrer · January 28, 2022, 07:26 PM

Nope. No need to.

gnappi · January 30, 2022, 09:18 AM

No "lube". Even my 9x25 and .357 sig I do not libe. On both I size first in a 10mm carbide die.

the45er · February 14, 2022, 09:33 AM

I found this thread very interesting because of how many folks lube brass even when they use carbide dies. I've loaded 380, 357/38, 9 mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP and 45 LC brass for years with carbide dies and never had any issues with sticking or otherwise. I don't really understand why it's ever necessary but to each his own!

Geezerbiker · February 14, 2022, 10:53 AM

Remembering how sore I was after the last time I resized 500 9mm cases, I intend to try some of that Midway case lube spray the next time I size 9mm cases. Unlike .45ACP and revolver rounds, 9mm has a slight taper to the cases making them a bit more work to size. Of course getting old doesn't have a thing to do with it.

Tony

Schlitz 45 · February 14, 2022, 01:47 PM

I just started having to lube pistol cases when I started reloading 50AE. Only dies available were Lee Pacesetter set of 3. Started using Hornady One Shot but it wasn't cutting it so started using the Lee case lube that came with the dies & their resizing smoothly now. Other than these it's never been necessary.

**Aguila Blanca** · February 14, 2022, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the45er

I found this thread very interesting because of how many folks lube brass even when they use carbide dies. I've loaded 380, 357/38, 9 mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP and 45 LC brass for years with carbide dies and never had any issues with sticking or otherwise. I don't really understand why it's ever necessary but to each his own!

I've been loading for about 15 years, so far all handgun and mostly .45 ACP. As I've mentioned, I use carbide dies (Lee), and I lube with Hornady One-Shot aerosol.

There was a day a few years ago when I just wanted to make up a few dummy, action-proving rounds. I was only going to make five, so I didn't think it was worth gatting out the spray can. I don't remember the brand of brass, but one of the cases got STUCK in the sizing die. It was so stuck that it deformed the case head and ripped it out of the shell holder, leaving the case stuck in the die. I had to take everything apart and use a long rod to drive the case out of the die.

Since then, I always lube.

Shadow9mm · February 14, 2022, 04:31 PM

I have only stuck rifle cartridges. However I have noticed since switching to wet tumbling, even with carbide, sizing force has increased. 9mm was not a huge deal. 44mag and 357 mag were what was challenging, even with carbide.

gwpercle · February 14, 2022, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow9mm

I have only stuck rifle cartridges. However I have noticed since switching to wet tumbling, even with carbide, sizing force has increased. 9mm was not a huge deal. 44mag and 357 mag were what was challenging, even with carbide.

I agree with you 100% on this ..wet clean are almost too squeeky clean .
Wet tumbling gets them so clean you just about need to put a little slick-em on the clean cases or even short 45 acp / 9 mm Luger get hard to size with a carbide die .
I went back to cleaning cases in dry treated walnut shell media because it left the cases not so squeeky clean ...rifle cases wet cleaned , were the ones that wanted to stick the worse and if not properly lubed gave me the most resistence on the press handle , both going in and coming out ... on one batch of 303 British cases I had to resort to STP Oil Treatment as a case lube because they wanted to stick so badly . How I didn't stick one was only because I paid strict attention to resistence going in ... if it started feeling hard , back out and relube it .

All you new guys ...if a case feels hard when sizing... stop ... don't force it into the sizing die ... it will just get harder to remove from the die and pull the rim off ...
... Hard In = Harder Out and Harder out might tear off a rim ...
... you want to remember that resizing rule .
Gary

zeke · February 14, 2022, 06:53 PM

All my current pistol dies have carbide or some such insert. While lube is not required, am keeping some imperial wax (oe whatever it's called now) close buy to give the odd case a little dab will do ya. So much easier, and not enough to worry about cleaning off the cases.

jetinteriorguy · February 15, 2022, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwpercle

I agree with you 100% on this ..wet clean are almost too squeeky clean .
Wet tumbling gets them so clean you just about need to put a little slick-em on the clean cases or even short 45 acp / 9 mm Luger get hard to size with a carbide die .
I went back to cleaning cases in dry treated walnut shell media because it left the cases not so squeeky clean ...rifle cases wet cleaned , were the ones that wanted to stick the worse and if not properly lubed gave me the most resistence on the press handle , both going in and coming out ... on one batch of 303 British cases I had to resort to STP Oil Treatment as a case lube because they wanted to stick so badly . How I didn't stick one was only because I paid strict attention to resistence going in ... if it started feeling hard , back out and relube it .

All you new guys ...if a case feels hard when sizing... stop ... don't force it into the sizing die ... it will just get harder to remove from the die and pull the rim off ...
... Hard In = Harder Out and Harder out might tear off a rim ...
... you want to remember that resizing rule .
Gary

Wet cleaning works fine, just leave out the pins and they won’t have any abnormal resistance in a carbide sizing die. It’s the way I’ve been doing it for two years now. I’m referencing pistol cases, not rifle of course.

Steve in PA · February 15, 2022, 03:22 PM

Never lubed straight wall pistol brass (.380, 9mm, .38/.357, .44 and .45acp) in 30 years of reloading while using carbide dies. And I would load thousands upon thousands of those rounds every year….before the Covid madness.

Shadow9mm · February 15, 2022, 04:51 PM

jetinteriorguy

I will give that a try!

thump_rrr · February 17, 2022, 02:01 AM

I typically don't lube straight walled pistol cases since my dies are carbide.
Today I was sizing 100 new Starline 454 Casull cases.
After 10 or so cases the resistance started to increase.
I put a little Unique on my fingertips and lubed every 7th or 8th case.
It made things go much easier.

Even though you can barely make out that the cases were lubed I will tumble in corn cob when everything is loaded for a final polish.

January 24, 2022, 11:48 AM	#27
Unique Member Join Date: May 22, 2017 Location: Central Texas Posts: 67	Pistols with carbide dies, never have but I might give it a try. I know it’ll make it easier but to be honest I’ve never had a problem in the last 30 plus years. Last edited by Unique; January 24, 2022 at 09:10 PM.

January 24, 2022, 08:59 PM	#31
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	All straight walled cases use the carbide resizing die, so no lubing required. All other cases I do. Nor do I clean the brass every session either (nothing hits the ground). Not necessary. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

January 24, 2022, 09:22 PM	#32
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	No. But I always use carbide. __________________ . . . Have a Colt and a smile.

January 28, 2022, 04:54 PM	#37
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	It's too bad. From what I read, Remington once made great brass, while Peters made a lot of thinner wall stuff that work-hardened fast. Looks like when the two combined, Remington picked up the Peters designs rather than sticking with their own. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 28, 2022, 07:26 PM	#38
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	Nope. No need to. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

January 24, 2022, 11:03 AM	#26
BillM Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Amity Oregon Posts: 791	95% of my reloading is pistol, with 80% of that 9mm. 10,000 plus per year in that caliber. I give it all a little spritz of Hornady One Shot. 40 and 45 it doesn't make a huge difference, they are straight wall cases. On the tapered 9mm case the difference is VERY noticeable. For practice/local match ammo I don't do anything to remove any residual lube. For major match ammo I give it 10 minutes in some fine walnut (Lizard Litter) because SHINY!

January 24, 2022, 07:15 PM	#28
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	I found a little case lube made sizing , even with a carbide sizer, so much easier ! I like it when things slip into and out of a hole nice and easy ... I don't have a problem with a little lube ...easy in - easy out , what's not to like . I use Lee Case Lube , thinned with alcohol and applied with a spray bottle ... Spray on a light film , let dry and carry on ...not messy . Gary

January 24, 2022, 07:52 PM	#30
THEWELSHM Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2015 Location: Brandon Fl Posts: 236	I reload everything Magnum tumble in walnut finish in walnut with new shine. Don’t need to.. Thewelshm

January 26, 2022, 12:21 PM	#33
ragsflh Junior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 8	i lube.easier on brass

January 26, 2022, 03:16 PM	#34
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	I lube about every other case when sizing my .460 brass even tho I use carbide dies. Makes so I don't have to stand on the press handle.

January 28, 2022, 07:39 AM	#36
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,175	Never lubed a single straight wall pistol case in over 30 years of using carbide dies. I have loaded many thousands of rounds in 9mm, .38sp, .357mag, and .41mag and have never had any issues with decreased case life. I have some.38sp brass that I bought from an old target shooter about ten years ago and I wouldn’t be surprised if these things are 40 years or more old and been loaded so many times it’s hard to count, so far I haven’t lost a one. Some of my .41 brass is the very first stuff I bought back in the 80’s and the only ones I’ve lost were crappy Remington brass after a couple dozen reloads.

January 30, 2022, 09:18 AM	#39
gnappi Member Join Date: June 26, 2005 Posts: 65	No "lube". Even my 9x25 and .357 sig I do not libe. On both I size first in a 10mm carbide die.

February 14, 2022, 09:33 AM	#40
the45er Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2008 Location: The mini-hill country of Texas Posts: 254	I found this thread very interesting because of how many folks lube brass even when they use carbide dies. I've loaded 380, 357/38, 9 mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP and 45 LC brass for years with carbide dies and never had any issues with sticking or otherwise. I don't really understand why it's ever necessary but to each his own!

February 14, 2022, 10:53 AM	#41
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	Remembering how sore I was after the last time I resized 500 9mm cases, I intend to try some of that Midway case lube spray the next time I size 9mm cases. Unlike .45ACP and revolver rounds, 9mm has a slight taper to the cases making them a bit more work to size. Of course getting old doesn't have a thing to do with it. Tony

February 14, 2022, 01:47 PM	#42
Schlitz 45 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2018 Location: Colorado Posts: 385	I just started having to lube pistol cases when I started reloading 50AE. Only dies available were Lee Pacesetter set of 3. Started using Hornady One Shot but it wasn't cutting it so started using the Lee case lube that came with the dies & their resizing smoothly now. Other than these it's never been necessary.

February 14, 2022, 04:31 PM	#44
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,974	I have only stuck rifle cartridges. However I have noticed since switching to wet tumbling, even with carbide, sizing force has increased. 9mm was not a huge deal. 44mag and 357 mag were what was challenging, even with carbide. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

February 14, 2022, 06:53 PM	#46
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	All my current pistol dies have carbide or some such insert. While lube is not required, am keeping some imperial wax (oe whatever it's called now) close buy to give the odd case a little dab will do ya. So much easier, and not enough to worry about cleaning off the cases.

February 15, 2022, 03:22 PM	#48
Steve in PA Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 756	Never lubed straight wall pistol brass (.380, 9mm, .38/.357, .44 and .45acp) in 30 years of reloading while using carbide dies. And I would load thousands upon thousands of those rounds every year….before the Covid madness. __________________ Steve

February 15, 2022, 04:51 PM	#49
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,974	jetinteriorguy I will give that a try! __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload. Last edited by Shadow9mm; February 15, 2022 at 08:01 PM.

February 17, 2022, 02:01 AM	#50
thump_rrr Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2010 Posts: 403	I typically don't lube straight walled pistol cases since my dies are carbide. Today I was sizing 100 new Starline 454 Casull cases. After 10 or so cases the resistance started to increase. I put a little Unique on my fingertips and lubed every 7th or 8th case. It made things go much easier. Even though you can barely make out that the cases were lubed I will tumble in corn cob when everything is loaded for a final polish.