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Thread: Cleaning Reloading Dies

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
    405grain's Avatar
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    Cleaning Reloading Dies

    Whats the best way to clean bullet lube out of reloading dies?

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy hporter's Avatar
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    I use a worn out nylon handgun bore brush with Ed's red using a short handgun cleaning rod followed with a dry bore mop and then a dry patch or two.

    But I will be interested to hear what others use.

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    Boolit Grand Master GhostHawk's Avatar
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    I use a q-tip and hand sanitizer. Lots of that for sale at the dollar store. Be a buck and a quarter now instead of a buck. Still pretty cost effective.
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    Boolit Buddy
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    I use Ed's Red and a patch on a jag.

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    Brakleen, bore brushes and rags. Spritz them, brush them then wipe them down. After I'll give them a quick wipe with WD-40 or Ballistol.
    Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway!

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    Boolit Master MarkP's Avatar
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    I heat them up with a propane torch to soften it up then wipe out with cotton cloth.

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    I use Hoppe's No.9 and a nylon bristle magazine-cleaning brush, or old toothbrushes. Works for me.
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    I spin a nylon bore brush around a couple times, then put a single layer of rag over it and do it again.
    It keeps me from having to take the die out.

    When I'm done with it, I'll give it a better cleaning before it gets stored away.
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  9. #9
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    All my dies get cleaned with brake lube and lubed with frog lube
    Long, Wide, Deep, and Without Hesitation!

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    Q-Tip with EEZOX, it will clean and rust proof the dies.

  11. #11
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    I use Ballistol multi-purpose Sportsman’s Oil it Lubricates, penetrates, cleans and protects.
    I then use a gun cloth over them, let them set up for a week or so. They are good for the next time I use them.
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  12. #12
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    Acetone and a copper bore brush followed by Ballistol.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by hporter View Post
    I use a worn out nylon handgun bore brush with Ed's red using a short handgun cleaning rod followed with a dry bore mop and then a dry patch or two.

    But I will be interested to hear what others use.
    .

    "Plus on Ed's Red
    NRA Benefactor Member NRA Golden Eagle

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    Depending on just how bad they are, I take them apart and use brake cleaner. If not too bad, I just spray the brake cleaner up into them.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master Harter66's Avatar
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    Wet mop with whatever I have handy for a solvent push a shop towel through.

    My lube is mostly Vaseline and STP though so any light oil makes it heavy oil to light grease and it wipes out pretty easy .
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  16. #16
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    Brake or carburetor cleaner and then a little of your favorite lube.
    Last edited by Shawlerbrook; 01-16-2023 at 02:25 PM.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by 405grain View Post
    Whats the best way to clean bullet lube out of reloading dies?
    wd40 best I have found

  18. #18
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    MS seems to be the best solvent for beeswax based Lubes.
    For cleaning lube from reloading Dies, I use MS on a Q-tip.
    I usually coat reloading Dies with Ed's Red for storage.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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  19. #19
    Boolit Master

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    A bit of Ed's Red on a soft rag. run it up with a cleaning jag on a pistol rod.

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy

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    Quote Originally Posted by 405grain View Post
    Whats the best way to clean bullet lube out of reloading dies?
    For reloading dies, I use a cotton shop rag and lacquer thinner then re-oil when dry.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check