Cleaning dies - The Firearms Forum

Evins74s · 01-02-2012, 09:21 AM

Hello all, new to this forum and reloading as well. I am reloading the very popular .223 rem and .308 win rounds. My question to everyone here is how do you clean out the case lube from inside the die after resizing and removing the primer? I am using the LEE case lube that comes in the 4oz tube.

Thanks
Evins74s

oldgunfan · 01-02-2012, 10:04 AM

I spray brake cleaner then let them dry, then take them apart and try to push a rag though them.

howlnmad · 01-02-2012, 12:14 PM

I disassemble the dies completely, spray down with carb or brake cleaner. Wipe all the parts down with a lint free cloth (I use the blue shop towels) and run one through the die bodies. Oil everything up good and reassemble. Just be sure to clean them before your next use.

oldpapps · 01-02-2012, 12:32 PM

If what you are worried about is excess case lube left in the sizing die, you are using too much lube. Bet you are getting cavities in the brass at the shoulders. Lighten up on the lube. You only need enough to keep the case from sticking in the die and easy the motion.

If what you are worried about is bullet lube from cast bullets, expand/flare the case mouth just a little before seating. The flare will be pressed in during the seating process.

If what you are worried about is cleaning the dies before/after use. I don't (Don't yell at me, I'm a nasty boy) but consider the die as nothing more than a chamber and clean the die chamber the same. When new, I break them down and clean similar to the ways listed above.

Enjoy,

OSOK

bobpayne44 · 01-02-2012, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evins74s

Hello all, new to this forum and reloading as well. I am reloading the very popular .223 rem and .308 win rounds. My question to everyone here is how do you clean out the case lube from inside the die after resizing and removing the primer? I am using the LEE case lube that comes in the 4oz tube.

Thanks
Evins74s

i usually break mine down and throw them in the hornady magnum sonic cleaner using the gun cleaning solution for a few minutes, gets them super clean.

312shooter · 01-02-2012, 04:47 PM

I use hornady one shot gun cleaner a dry lube, maybe a bit more than carb cleaner, but the dry lube allows the need to lube every 3rd case or so, since using this method its been years since I've dented a case or had one stuck.

01-02-2012, 09:21 AM	#1
Evins74s V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 96	Cleaning dies Hello all, new to this forum and reloading as well. I am reloading the very popular .223 rem and .308 win rounds. My question to everyone here is how do you clean out the case lube from inside the die after resizing and removing the primer? I am using the LEE case lube that comes in the 4oz tube. Thanks Evins74s -->

01-02-2012, 10:04 AM	#2
oldgunfan V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Contributor Posts: 137	Re: Cleaning dies I spray brake cleaner then let them dry, then take them apart and try to push a rag though them. Last edited by oldgunfan; 01-02-2012 at 10:07 AM..

01-02-2012, 12:14 PM	#3
howlnmad Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Harriman, Tn Contributor Posts: 2,571	Re: Cleaning dies I disassemble the dies completely, spray down with carb or brake cleaner. Wipe all the parts down with a lint free cloth (I use the blue shop towels) and run one through the die bodies. Oil everything up good and reassemble. Just be sure to clean them before your next use. __________________

01-02-2012, 12:32 PM	#4
oldpapps Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Middle America, Missouri Posts: 20	Re: Cleaning dies If what you are worried about is excess case lube left in the sizing die, you are using too much lube. Bet you are getting cavities in the brass at the shoulders. Lighten up on the lube. You only need enough to keep the case from sticking in the die and easy the motion. If what you are worried about is bullet lube from cast bullets, expand/flare the case mouth just a little before seating. The flare will be pressed in during the seating process. If what you are worried about is cleaning the dies before/after use. I don't (Don't yell at me, I'm a nasty boy) but consider the die as nothing more than a chamber and clean the die chamber the same. When new, I break them down and clean similar to the ways listed above. Enjoy, OSOK

01-02-2012, 04:47 PM	#6
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: Cleaning dies I use hornady one shot gun cleaner a dry lube, maybe a bit more than carb cleaner, but the dry lube allows the need to lube every 3rd case or so, since using this method its been years since I've dented a case or had one stuck. __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin