Remove Case Lube and Multi-Head Setup
Quote from Reloader on October 7, 2019, 10:26 pmSo I am fairly new to reloading, but definitely new to using a Dillon. I purchased an XL750 and am excited to get started.
I had a few questions regarding the removal of the case lube as well as utilizing a multi-head setup...
I have a universal decapper and a spare head that I had planned on installing it into to decap before I clean the cases using stainless steel media. My thought then was to clean and lube the cases and then roll through the 3 Dillon carbide dies I purchased for 223/556. I was concerned about the lube still being on the cases after the decapper/sizing die and if that's ok. If it wasn't, I thought about using the decapper/sizing die in the extra tool head and retumble afterwards to remove the lube and then run through the universal die and the other Dillon dies.
One of the concerns I have is after sizing, if I were to retumble, wouldn't there be a chance of the case mouth getting out of round and therefore need to be belled out again?
If having a little bit of lube in the other dies is not a big deal, how many people tumble live rounds in corncob using a vibratory tumbler? Is that safe to do for any live round?
Just looking for some advice here on what you all think is the best route to go.
Thanks,
Pat Rogers
So I am fairly new to reloading, but definitely new to using a Dillon. I purchased an XL750 and am excited to get started.
I had a few questions regarding the removal of the case lube as well as utilizing a multi-head setup...
I have a universal decapper and a spare head that I had planned on installing it into to decap before I clean the cases using stainless steel media. My thought then was to clean and lube the cases and then roll through the 3 Dillon carbide dies I purchased for 223/556. I was concerned about the lube still being on the cases after the decapper/sizing die and if that's ok. If it wasn't, I thought about using the decapper/sizing die in the extra tool head and retumble afterwards to remove the lube and then run through the universal die and the other Dillon dies.
One of the concerns I have is after sizing, if I were to retumble, wouldn't there be a chance of the case mouth getting out of round and therefore need to be belled out again?
If having a little bit of lube in the other dies is not a big deal, how many people tumble live rounds in corncob using a vibratory tumbler? Is that safe to do for any live round?
Just looking for some advice here on what you all think is the best route to go.
Thanks,
Pat Rogers
Quote from Reloader on October 11, 2019, 4:41 pmWe're lazier than you. We use one size/deprime die in the toolhead confired for loading the ammunition, and tumble the loaded rounds for about 10-15 minutes in plain corncob with a tablespoon of alcohol added. This takes the case lube off.
If you really want to de-lube your sized, empty cases, the same method is fine. However, do have some sort of depriming die in place during the loading sequence, to ensure no tumbling media is blocking a flash hole. You aren't tumbling cases long enough to oval a case mouth.
We're lazier than you. We use one size/deprime die in the toolhead confired for loading the ammunition, and tumble the loaded rounds for about 10-15 minutes in plain corncob with a tablespoon of alcohol added. This takes the case lube off.
If you really want to de-lube your sized, empty cases, the same method is fine. However, do have some sort of depriming die in place during the loading sequence, to ensure no tumbling media is blocking a flash hole. You aren't tumbling cases long enough to oval a case mouth.
Quote from Reloader on October 15, 2019, 3:37 pmThanks for the reply!
I wanted to get the primer pockets and the inside of the case clean as well. This is why I was considering using the sizing/decapping die from the set in the separate tool head so that I could decap, size, trim to length, clean in the stainless steel media and then be ready for the other dies. I will definitely add the universal decapper in slot 1 along with the other dies for the reason you stated.
I am just not sure about how necessary it is to clean the inside of the brass as well, but it certainly looks nice once cleaned. I can't see having pretty ammo is high on the list like safe ammo is, but guess its like icing on the cake if you will.
Thanks,
Pat
Thanks for the reply!
I wanted to get the primer pockets and the inside of the case clean as well. This is why I was considering using the sizing/decapping die from the set in the separate tool head so that I could decap, size, trim to length, clean in the stainless steel media and then be ready for the other dies. I will definitely add the universal decapper in slot 1 along with the other dies for the reason you stated.
I am just not sure about how necessary it is to clean the inside of the brass as well, but it certainly looks nice once cleaned. I can't see having pretty ammo is high on the list like safe ammo is, but guess its like icing on the cake if you will.
Thanks,
Pat
Quote from Reloader on October 16, 2019, 5:19 pmIf you are loading handgun cartridges, the residual carbon residue acts as a lubricant on the expander funnel in the powder measure. On bottleneck cartridges it doesn't matter, at least with Dillon dies, as we use a carbide expander funnel.
If you are loading handgun cartridges, the residual carbon residue acts as a lubricant on the expander funnel in the powder measure. On bottleneck cartridges it doesn't matter, at least with Dillon dies, as we use a carbide expander funnel.