Using Lube when Neck-Sizing with Bushing Die

[South Pender]

This is a trivial question, but I have wondered whether it is necessary--or desirable--to lube case necks when resizing with a Wilson chamber-type neck-sizing bushing die. I never have, but should I be doing this?

 

[Lapua40X]

I try to always lube unless I'm using carbide dies.

 

[Comrade Terry]

I wipe a little Imperial sizing wax on the neck. Wipe it off afterward. It makes life a lot easier.

 

[T-shooter]

I started using Imperial dry graphite. I don't have to work about cleaning it out later. Only had it happen one but I F/L sized a .308 case and it wouldn't chamber. Was a couple thousandths too long. These were previously fired in the same rifle. My only explanation is the the expander ball pulled the neck forward. Possibly it was an annealed case, I don't remember. Easier just to use a lube and not worry about it. Some lubes will bake on when annealing or maybe sitting in a hot chamber too long. A regular tumber won't clean it off the inside of the necks. I heated a case neck with a torch (not even hot enough to start changing color) with Hornady Unique lube inside. Loctite should use that formula. It couldn't be bulled out with a collet die puller.

 

[oldroper]

This is a trivial question, but I have wondered whether it is necessary--or desirable--to lube case necks when resizing with a Wilson chamber-type neck-sizing bushing die. I never have, but should I be doing this?

..

Your only sizing about 3/16" from case mouth with the Wilson. Might want to try carbide bushings.

 

[mikecr]

You don't ever need to lube necks for reloading bushing sizing. There are not enough sizing forces there to warrant it.
Wilson's do not expand necks after downsizing. Mandrel expansion, or what I prefer to call pre-seating, can be added to your process using a Sinclair mandrel die system.

 

[nmkid]

Right or wrong I only lube up about every 5th case. Works me.

 

[Shynloco]

I wipe a little Imperial sizing wax on the neck. Wipe it off afterward. It makes life a lot easier.

+1

 

[savagedasher]

Mobile 1 Larry

 

[Ray B]

Prepping the cases for sizing I'll wipe the powder residue off the neck and shoulder using a cloth that has a few drops of Hoppe's 9, then run them through the Wilson neck die using a K&M press. Several more steps on the cases way to being loaded but none involve lube.

 

[ireload2]

Just use a tiny wipe of lube every 3 to 5 cases to prevent brass from galling and sticking to the bushing.

 

[Jet]

I don't lube the case necks and never felt the need to. Not saying you shouldn't, just haven't thought it was necessary.

As a side note, I do not size my necks when using a full length sizing die (neck bushing is removed). I size them separately after full length sizing. Adds another step to reloading but it allows me to feel how the necks are compressing in relation to one another. Just another way to cull out anything that feels a bit different. Also, I do not clean my brass in a tumbler with media or pins or anything else. Just run a nylon brush in the necks once and wipe the exterior off with steel wool (not aggressively) then wipe off with a cloth so there is a small amount of carbon remaining on the neck which I believe is a good thing.

Edit added to ensure clarity. Thanks Mike

Good Shooting

Rich

 

[mikecr]

I do not size my necks when full length resizing the brass. I size them separately after full length sizing.

It needs pointing out that this is not FL sizing. It's body sizing followed by neck sizing.
FL sizing is just that; FULL LENGTH SIZING, including FL sizing of necks (which I would never do).
I totally like with your method. Just wanted to correct the terms.

 

[Laurie]

+1

+ another. It only takes a couple of seconds to smear a film of Imperial wax on and to wipe it off after sizing.

 

[jepp2]

You don't ever need to lube necks for reloading bushing sizing.

Well, that "used" to be my opinion also. Then I got to deal with this. So now I lube case necks. Heck I even lube handgun brass going through a carbide sizer. Not because I have to, but instead because it makes the sizing sooooo much easier.

 

[Joe R]

I wipe a little Imperial sizing wax on the neck. Wipe it off afterward. It makes life a lot easier.

^ +2. This.

If you don't use ISW, I can guarantee that after about a thousand cases your bushing size will be bigger. If you don't want wear when 2 metal parts are sliding against one another lubrication is a necessity.

Joe

 

[T-shooter]

Well, that "used" to be my opinion also. Then I got to deal with this. So now I lube case necks. Heck I even lube handgun brass going through a carbide sizer. Not because I have to, but instead because it makes the sizing sooooo much easier.

View attachment 1013546

I use this method. It seems to work ok. I use Hornady Unique on the outside but the Imperial wax may be better. This way there is no wet lube inside the necks.

 

[mikecr]

Jepp2 I don't know how you would do that with bushing neck sizing. I've never seen a bushing size down that far on a neck. But if you managed to do so, really, you need to start over with reloading.

 

[nmkid]

Well, that "used" to be my opinion also. Then I got to deal with this. So now I lube case necks. Heck I even lube handgun brass going through a carbide sizer. Not because I have to, but instead because it makes the sizing sooooo much easier.

View attachment 1013546

Huh?? Never have felt a bushing exert that much compression on a case. Not even when forming a wildcat.

 

[jepp2]

I've never seen a bushing size down that far on a neck.

It wasn't "that far down the neck". There was a portion of the neck sticking out below the bushing. That is why I collapsed the neck at the failure point to reduce the diameter to drive it out of the bushing.

The die itself limits how far down the neck you can size. But most will size within ~1/32" from the neck shoulder junction.