Should I be using case lube when sizing these cases in this lee loader? Another question is the resizing die carbide like in traditional die sets?
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Should I be using case lube when sizing these cases in this lee loader? Another question is the resizing die carbide like in traditional die sets?
I have never used a Lee Loader, but I would think the cases needed to be lubed. The 38 Special traditional dies, made in the last 20 years or so come with a carbide die as standard.Originally Posted by Overalls87
Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.
yes lube is needed
I started out using Lee reloader sets in the early 60's. I did not use lube the first few years and then it dawned on me that I was sizing a case in a steel die and metal on metal contact was not good without lubing. I then started lubing my case with a very light film of Imperial wax and have been using it ever since on both Lee Reloader sets and regular press style dies. Works like a charm and easily wiped off with an old towel. My experience anyway. james
No carbide sizer in the Lee Loader.
Imperial Sizing wax is my favorite. When I walk into a store that has it, it all leaves with me.
hi, I have never lubed pistol cases. dies are carbide. check that. it doesn't matter what machine used.
interesting idea but to what end? seven or so years of reloading and never a seized case.
p.s. I have a seized case removal tool.
good luck, Max
Max, this is the hand tool forum... the OP was not asking about dies on a machine, rather the Lee Loader which uses no press. AFAIK, there were never Lee Loader sets with carbide dies. Slight amount of lube is highly advisable for best results.
Froggie
Last edited by Green Frog; 12-19-2016 at 11:09 AM.
"It aint easy being green!"
I started with one of these in 1966! At the time the instructions said to lube the cases using paraffin mixed with a little motor oil. The idea was to melt the paraffin, stir in a little oil, let it harden, then rub chunks of the paraffin against the outside walls of the case. Today I'd used the Lee Resizing Lubricant that comes in the white plastic tube and just rub a bit on with the fingers. Wipe it off with a clean dry cloth before shooting. The Lee Loader die is not carbide, and you'll notice a real difference if you haven't been lubing the cases.
I too started with a Lee Loader , back in '69, and I pounded out good, safe, accurate ammo for over a year. I've seen a few threads/questions on some forums lately so I dug out my 38 Special Lee Loader yesterday. I have about 3k cases of mixed 38 so I grabbed a handful, laid out my components; I have some 700x and 125 gr. lead RNFP and CCI 500 primers and turned on the CD with some '60s Doo Wop. I grabbed a leather mallet (about 16 oz.) and started decapping. It took mebbe 8-10 rounds to get my "system" down and fine tuned.
With regards to the OP's question I used a very light film of Mink Oil Boot Dressing as a lube on the brass and the different was immediately evident; three or four whacks to get an unlubed case sized, but one good whack to size a lubed case. My lube isn't messy and just a very little is needed and easily wiped of my fingers and completer rounds. I used a lead ingot 4"x10"x2"as an anvil.
Didn't time myself, but I pounded out 30 or so rounds in about an hour with my modified system; after seating a primer, I leave the case in the decapping base and flare the case mouth. Then I weighed a charge (dip and dribble) and used a funnel to charge the case. I then seat a bullet on the case mouth, return the die body over the case and seat the bullet, followed by a crimp.
Yes, using my turret press, hand indexed, my bench primer and micro adjusted powder measure assembling 30 rounds is much faster, but no more satisfying!
My Anchor is holding fast!
Directions call for lube, it makes a lot of positive difference.
I also use the Lee case lube in the white tube. I prep cases in batches of 10 - 50 then run them through the operational steps. Wear those blue nitrile gloves, little dab of lube on finger, spin case against it with finger scraping any excess back off. I use two reloading blocks so I can move cases from side to side to complete an operation, some do complete round before starting next one. Will say the turret press is faster but the Lee Loader (wack-a-mole) kit will fit in my shirt pocket and a plastic mallet don't weigh much. Can always use to seat and crimp at the range for load development. I would say bug out bag but me I bug out I'm taking the finished ammo not components. Components I'll stash
Scrap.... because all the really pithy and emphatic four letter words were taken and we had to describe this source of casting material somehow so we added an "S" to what non casters and wives call what we collect.
Kind of hard to claim to love America while one is hating half the Americans that disagree with you. One nation indivisible requires work.
Feedback page http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...light=RogerDat
Back in my Lee Loader days the only way that it made sense to me was to "batch load". In other words, I'd usually do 200 at a time and perform each step 200 times before moving on to the next step. De-prime 200, size 200, prime 200, charge 200, seat the bullet in 200, crimp 200 if necessary. Like I said earlier, I used their suggestion for a paraffin-oil lube, but the Lee Resizing Lubricant is so easy to use. I should probably follow Roger's example and use gloves, but I've always just used bare fingers. It just takes a tiny amount, and I only apply it on about 2/3 of the case surface, perhaps only 1/2 of the surface part of the time, because a bit stays in the die and the lubed cases never enter the die exactly the same way, so less than a complete coverage is still very adequate. Also, the lube doesn't have to be wet when the case is resized, you can lube them all and if it dries it works just as well. Like previously stated though, my Lee Loader days mostly ended years ago; but that's still the system (batch loading) that I used on my single stage bench mounted presses. I also use two or more loading blocks, and another advantage to the system is that when the cases have been charged, before moving on to the bullet seating, it's really easy to observe the level of the charges in the cases to avoid a double charge. Keep a flashlight handy to assist as necessary.
I'm trying to drop my lead level by next blood test, not high but at 10 need it to start heading in an improved direction if nothing else to reassure dear wife that my being cranky and forgetful is not lead related. Makes me a bit over cautious so I currently wear the gloves whenever I load. I think exposure was from primer dust in range brass, and vibrating cleaner media but... for now I need to see how far down I can drive it.
I have a wood bar type stool that I re-worked as a cobblers table for using the Lee Loaders. Dang I'm thinking maybe I'll dig one out and let the grandkids make a few when they are over for the holidays. Nothing says peace on earth like whacking together some 38 special rounds with family. Just for the record only one grandkid doesn't have a drivers license.
Scrap.... because all the really pithy and emphatic four letter words were taken and we had to describe this source of casting material somehow so we added an "S" to what non casters and wives call what we collect.
Kind of hard to claim to love America while one is hating half the Americans that disagree with you. One nation indivisible requires work.
Feedback page http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...light=RogerDat
ROGERDAT, you might help lower your serum lead levels by taking an iron supplement. If memory serves, they compete for many of the same binding sites, but they preferentially bind with iron over lead. Ferrous gluconate is probably the most trouble-free.
Last edited by Kosh75287; 12-20-2016 at 08:21 PM.
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Ecclesiastes 1:18
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool become servant to the wise of heart. Proverbs 11:29
...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40
Carpe SCOTCH!
Carbide sizing die - No.
Case lube _ Yes.
A 38 Special Lee Loader got a lot of us started, $9.99 then. Along with a Lee single cavity mould and you were in business.
Its actually a great way to learn how its done, I used one for years. Get a powder scale and use it to make your own powder scoops. You only get one with the set , by making your own scoop you can use any powder you want. Batch loading is the proper way with the Lee Loader or any single stage press for that matter...at least for me.
Good luck and load safe,
Gary
Lube 'em for sure. Have you tried using it yet? I use it for my 44mag. Try to hammer just a couple in without lube, and you'll start lubing quick, fast, and in a hurry.
All these case lubes out there that so many people swear by. I have a big cookie sheet and this stuff called "Pen-a-Lube". I line the cookie sheet with paper towels, soak them liberally, and roll the cases around on it. Works great.
Don't think that the reason I'm peaceful is because I've forgotten how to be violent.
I used 3-in-1 + candle wax for case lubricant, and MY Lee Loaders cost $11.99 (back when dirt was only middle-aged). Depending of the volume of the desired powder charge, one may find that fired cartridge cases will work for a scoop. A bit of epoxy or soldering attaches the handle.
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Ecclesiastes 1:18
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool become servant to the wise of heart. Proverbs 11:29
...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40
Carpe SCOTCH!
More than one reloader has mentioned that an empty case makes a good powder scoop because you can grind or file the case down to exact size you need for a specific load of a specific powder. Lee also makes a $12 set of 17 or 15 scoops and a calculator card to convert scoop capacity into grains for a bunch of powders.
Scrap.... because all the really pithy and emphatic four letter words were taken and we had to describe this source of casting material somehow so we added an "S" to what non casters and wives call what we collect.
Kind of hard to claim to love America while one is hating half the Americans that disagree with you. One nation indivisible requires work.
Feedback page http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...light=RogerDat
I guess I am showing my age with this but who cares. I bought my first Lee Loader in 1963 and paid all of $3.95 or $4.95 plus .50 to .75 shipping from an outfit called Maryland Arms. It was in 30-06. Lee was more affordable to me back then. Those were the days.
I still have several! .357 and 9mm at least, and maybe a couple more. Haven't used them since the early 80s. Got a single stage and stopped using them. In a drawer somewhere for the kids to worry about when I go.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The scoop set belongs in every reloading room. And lubing cases for a Lee Loader say what??? That explains a lot..... Best, Thomas.
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