Lubricating case necks

[khoffx2]

I need your opinions. About a month ago I purchased a set of 6mm BR RCBS Gold Medal dies. At the same time I purchased a couple of bushings for the dies and chose to spend a little more for the tungsten disulfide bushings which RCBS told me would negate the need to lube the outside of the case neck.

So, I opened the Times magazine that arrived yesterday only to find a write up on the new RCBS MatchMaster die sets. They're supposed to be an update to the Gold Medal dies with the primary difference being the addition of a titanium nitride expander. I called RCBS and was told that when using this expander, I didn't need to lube the inside of the case neck. I again asked him about the bushings and he told me that I didn't need to lube the neck at all, but just the body of the case.

After I got off the phone I arranged to return the Gold Medal dies, and purchased the MatchMaster dies. By the way, the RCBS guy told me that his manager is flatly refusing to sell these expanders separately.

So, the question is, and why I need your opinions, do I take the RCBS guy's advice and not lube the case necks, or do I lube anyway. By the way, I'd prefer to not lube the case necks if I don't need to.

Thanks.

 

[NorCalMikie]

If it was me, I would lube the necks, just because. A little lube is better than scratched necks. If you don't like the wet lube (messy) try "dry lube". A wet neck will catch powder and make bullet seating a chore.

 

[dmoran]

Myself would agree with RCBS's input of no need for lube.
But will also agree with @NorCalMikie to the use of dry graphite lube if you are in doubt.
And advise to wipe clean all cases with a micro-fiber or "crazy" cloth before sizing.

 

[jepp2]

I didn't need to lube the inside of the case neck. I again asked him about the bushings and he told me that I didn't need to lube the neck at all, but just the body of the case.

Even when using coated bushings, the sizing goes much better with lube than it does without lube.
You don't say how much "work" your expander is going to have to do, and that does make a difference, but even when I use a carbide expander, I use lube inside the case neck.
But let me qualify my answer. I find sizing 9mm cases in a carbide sizing die, it goes much easier if you use case lube on that tapered case. Must I use lube, no. But the sizing effort is reduced by probably 2/3 with just a bit of lube.
And speaking of sizing rifle cases. I use 12:1 bootleg case lube, and spray inside the case neck, and outside the entire case including shoulder and case neck. And before I get condemned, no I never get lube dents. It is such a light coating that it just makes the sizing slick. But I also hone my die necks so the expander only has to open the case neck 0.0005-0.001". And like I said I use carbide expanders. And I polish the interior of my dies. This combination makes for very nice sizing.

 

[powderbrake]

I have my Dillon set up for several rifle calibers in Neck Size only. (No, lets not get into neck vs full length, as these are not for competitive shooting).
I do not lube the cases (outside or inside), and I do use a TiN bushing in Redding Competition dies. I do NOT use any expander. I do not lube the necks or cases, BUT I do tumble them to clean them before sizing.

I do occasionally wipe some lube on a case neck, and it "smooths" out the process for a while.

Keep an eye on the case necks to insure that if scratches appear, you stop and clean the bushing.

So, No , you do not have to lube the necks.

 

[Webster]

I need your opinions. About a month ago I purchased a set of 6mm BR RCBS Gold Medal dies. At the same time I purchased a couple of bushings for the dies and chose to spend a little more for the tungsten disulfide bushings which RCBS told me would negate the need to lube the outside of the case neck.

So, I opened the Times magazine that arrived yesterday only to find a write up on the new RCBS MatchMaster die sets. They're supposed to be an update to the Gold Medal dies with the primary difference being the addition of a titanium nitride expander. I called RCBS and was told that when using this expander, I didn't need to lube the inside of the case neck. I again asked him about the bushings and he told me that I didn't need to lube the neck at all, but just the body of the case.

After I got off the phone I arranged to return the Gold Medal dies, and purchased the MatchMaster dies. By the way, the RCBS guy told me that his manager is flatly refusing to sell these expanders separately.

So, the question is, and why I need your opinions, do I take the RCBS guy's advice and not lube the case necks, or do I lube anyway. By the way, I'd prefer to not lube the case necks if I don't need to.

Thanks.

The main property of TiN is it's harder than steel. I am sure it has no self lube properties. I lightly lube the necks to reduce friction. Don't know if it's necessary but it seems to make sense to lube parts that are rubbing against each other with a lot of contact pressure. You have to lube the body how much longer does it take to get some lube on the neck. Someone else can comment on does copper weld the the bushing.

 

[Straightshooter1]

The main property of TiN is it's harder than steel. I am sure it has no self lube properties.

To some extent I agree.

This was something I was very curious about along with the question of what benefit carbide dies and mandrels might provide. After a lot of time researching TiN and it's applications, apparently it DOES offer some friction reducing properties (if you want to call that "self lubing"), but mostly under high pressure conditions. Apparently, that's why it works well on cutting tools like drill bits and other milling cutting tools. Under light pressures, I simply don't see any significan benefit for a TiN coated tool.

 

[Webster]

To some extent I agree.

This was something I was very curious about along with the question of what benefit carbide dies and mandrels might provide. After a lot of time researching TiN and it's applications, apparently it DOES offer some friction reducing properties (if you want to call that "self lubing"), but mostly under high pressure conditions. Apparently, that's why it works well on cutting tools like drill bits and other milling cutting tools. Under light pressures, I simply don't see any significan benefit for a TiN coated tool.

I have steel bushings. Don't see any problem with them.

 

[mikecr]

I don't lube necks.
If your sizing is reasonable, and you leave the carbon residue inside necks, there is no need for any lube.