Lube on reloaded shells

[milprileb]

This is not a big issue but I do notice lube on reloaded ammo as the rounds
tumble off the Dillon 650 into a bin and when I later pull t hem out and test them all in a case gauge, I find residue on cases and of course on noses of bullets. Not so much a case using stick lube when lubing but definitely happens on Lee Liq. Allox lubed bulelts.

Don't like the gummy potential of that on ammo. I took a 50 rd batch and put in my old Thumbler Tumbler slow rotating drum with corn cob media. Let it roll for 15 minutes while I did other reloading tasks and pulled the ammo out.

No lube on bullets or case. No change of performance at the range.

Yes, I could have manually wiped them off with a paper towel and the lube residue is minimal and not a huge concern but...... nice clean ammo does function better and no residue mounts up in the magazines.

I dunno .... this seems to work okay. Anyone else have a opinon?

[44man]

Clean is good for an auto. I shoot revolvers so I just wipe the brass, never the boolit. The right lube is messy so keep your seat die clean.

[x101airborne]

Guess Im just lazy, well, no, I AM lazy. I let my pocket wipe off the lube from my extra rounds while Im walking. It has never caused me an issue one way or another. Now rifle rounds are a different color horse. I ALWAYS de-lube my rifle cases.

[milprileb]

Well, I got a issue with 300 rds of 45acp in my pockets so that won't work for me. Its a technique though so good luck with the pocket cleaning method !

Getting back to the light tumble lube removal : anyone got an opinion on this as mine is it works and I see no issue here.

[Calamity Jake]

Don't like the gummy potential of that on ammo. I took a 50 rd batch and put in my old Thumbler Tumbler slow rotating drum with corn cob media. Let it roll for 15 minutes while I did other reloading tasks and pulled the ammo out.


I dunno .... this seems to work okay. Anyone else have a opinon?

Now you have small amonts of media dust on the case/boolit and packed around the crimp, some of that dust is abrasive.

I'll use a rag or paper towel

[XWrench3]

i worry about lube on the outside of the brass, and on the bottom of a boolit. if there is lube on the brass, it will eventually get all the way through the firearm, and collect dust /dirt / grit. and that will eventually lead to a jam, probably at the least oppertune moment. on the bottom of the boolit, for obvious reasons. foul the powder, no bang.

[milprileb]

Well, the roll of paper towels will just have to solve the potential problem
and I can live with that. Another labor of love you know.

[Doby45]

One of the best methods I have heard of is to take an old towel and place your loaded rounds in the center of it and then apply some denatured alcohol or mineral spirits, finally pick the towel up so it forms a hammock and then shift it side to side so the rounds slide back and forth in the hammock.

[jonk]

For the very minor amounts that get on the case, and the mild pressure I shoot most cast loads at, I just shoot them. Obviously if a big glob gets on the case that's different.

[Bomberman]

My final step in the reloading process is to wipe the round down with a soft cotton cloth. Been doing it for years...just a habit now.

[mold maker]

Tumbling in untreated cob w/cap full of Mineral spirits, will both remove the lube, and avoid your fears of compound in your action.
Unless your using some really course, and hard, abrasive in your media, it can only polish the acton contact surfaces, and improve them. Remember, it's purpose was only to polish soft brass. Any harmful wear to steel will take a very very long time.

[Char-Gar]

I have wiped clean the base of every cast bullet I have ever loaded.

I have wiped clean the case of every round I have ever loader.

I have wiped clean the nose of every cast bullet I have ever loaded

I don't favor LLA, so I can not speak to that issue.

Grease, oil or lube on a round can catch and hold grit that will damage a fine firearm.

[A J]

Tumbling in untreated cob w/cap full of Mineral spirits, will both remove the lube, and avoid your fears of compound in your action.
Unless your using some really course, and hard, abrasive in your media, it can only polish the acton contact surfaces, and improve them. Remember, it's purpose was only to polish soft brass. Any harmful wear to steel will take a very very long time.

I go a little heavier with the mineral spirits. Polishes both the brass and boolit. Removes all traces of lube that attracts crud and abrasives that can jam an auto loader.

[songdog53]

I have always wiped each boolit and case with rag before putting in box or baggie, just habit with me and keeps lube out of my auto's and wheel guns. Just part of reloading to me.

[Echo]

+1 for Doby's method - I sprinkle maybe 2-4 tablespoons of mineral spirits on the old towel, plop the loaded rounds in the middle, see-saw for maybe a minute, and have clean rounds. I can do a couple, maybe three, hundred rounds at a time.

[Huntducks]

I also throw them in the tumbler I have 2 tumblers one with medium corn cob the other with fine the fine works very well.

[Wayne Smith]

I'm with Chargar on this one. Just a habit I got into many years ago and never stopped.

[sisiphunter]

I use paper towel and a bit of mineral spirits. Takes the LLA or any other lube off right quik as well makes the brass and boolits nice n shiney. I never used to remove it, but now I do cause Ive found that the lla especially builds up in the feeding area/feed ramp etc, plus they look nice all shined up

[Cadillo]

I've tried all the methods mentioned above. The best way I have found is to place a little baby oil on the corner a microfiber cloth, and give it a good squeeze so that the corner cloth is only slightly moist with the oil. I then wipe the loaded round with the corner and then finish with the dry part of the cloth. This cuts through lube like magic and leaves a very slight film that retards oxidation of the case and exposed portion of bullet.

Much better than mineral spirits, alcohol, etc, and the smell is pleasing. Since it's safe enough for a baby's butt, it's not dangerous to use indoors.

[felix]

There is no point to lubing cases when shooting boolits with lube. There is enough blowback to keep the chamber lubed. Typically, I make sure the lube buildup is not excessive by cleaning the barrel and wiping it with the chamber to soak up any loose oil remaining. Always keep the locking lug area clean, no matter what, and make sure they are greased as cleanly as possible. I use a moly lube on the lugs using a Q-tip. ... felix