cleaning your sizing dies

[pirate ammo]

surely, case slick builds up after time,,thinking to put mine in my sonic cleaner
good or not,or just messed up,,

 

[cdhbrad]

Instructions always suggest that you clean them when new before the first use to remove shipping oils.......I don't see how it can hurt to clean them later.

 

[mtnman31]

Clean them, it won't hurt a thing. I shoot a lot of cast bullets and they leave a big build up of lead and lube in my dies. I clean mine regularly with Qtip and denatured alcohol. I also keep my dies lightly oiled to prevent rust. Just wipe off the oil prior to use.

 

[eric n]

If you are going to clean reddings and use a vinegar solution, take the tops off if you don't want the black to turn grey. Ask me how I know...

 

[pirate ammo]

Clean them, it won't hurt a thing. I shoot a lot of cast bullets and they leave a big build up of lead and lube in my dies. I clean mine regularly with Qtip and denatured alcohol. I also keep my dies lightly oiled to prevent rust. Just wipe off the oil prior to use.

I've been using Q-tips and MEK,,the cowboy lead from hornady is terrible dirty

 

[dmoran]

I use bore-cleaner + cleaning mops in the die chambers, same as I use in rifle chambers.
Followed up with Brake Cleaner and compressed air.
Hoppe's #9 on a 12/20/28-gauge mop is my favorite for in the dies.
I clean my dies very often.
Donovan

 

[foxguy]

I use bore-cleaner + cleaning mops in the die chambers, same as I use in rifle chambers.
Followed by Brake Cleaner and compressed air.
Hoppe's #9 on a 12/20-gauge mop is my favorite for in the dies.
I clean my dies very often.
Donovan

Are you using the 20 gauge for 6MM BR / 308 sized cases?

 

[dmoran]

@foxguy
Yes - for in both the dies and barrel chambers.
And 357/44 mops for the forward chamber portions (neck and beginning throat area).
Donovan

 

[dolek]

Mops here too,quick and simple . I like to keep everything clean , I figure every speck of dust gets embedded somewhere.

 

[M-61]

Bore cleaning mop with the remains of too many bottles of Hoppe's #9
However I put my fired brass in my vibratory cleaner when I come back from the range WITH the primers left in. I try to reduce the amount of debris introduced in the die as much as possible. I de-prime as a separate operation (the vibrator is not cleaning primer pockets anyway) and it gives me another look at my brass. Bottom line is the dies get some debris in them....just not as much.....and I have to use that Hoppe's #9 for something other than a nostalgia trip by smelling it.

 

[Jeff A]

I have been reloading for nearly 50 years and the only time I ever got a case stuck in a sizing die was just after cleaning the die even though I lubed the cases normally (Normal for me now is One Shot Spray Lube). I believe you should clean your dies, just make sure I shoot a little spray lube in the die just after cleaning.

 

[Rsadams]

+1 on just useing hoppies 9 or whatever to clean them...

 

[KenOath]

Large Q Tips and mops also with a little Shellite, every time I use them.

 

[K22]

I simply run a bottle brush (nylon bristles) thru the die three times after each sizing session which prevents build up of lube yet keep the die "seasoned".

I used Imperial Sizing Wax as my lube and I full size with slight shoulder bump all my rifle cases.

 

[hogpatrol]

My m.o. long q-tips and whatever that aerosol bore stuff that Wallyworld sells.
I wouldn't use a sonic cleaner with a water based cleaning solution. Dies rust.

 

[yukonal]

Butch's or Hoppes, on a 3" shotgun patch. I run the patch up thru the necks. Finish with a very light coat of oil. The sizing wax takes over after that.

 

[Intheshop]

Parts cleaner.We use mineral spirits (lots of parts get painted,so MS works as a pre clean without too much drama) so,a bottle brush and a trip through occasionally.

 

[rockable]

Ramrodz and Hoppes #9 here. Ramrodz work well and you can throw them away when you'e done.

 

[jepp2]

thinking to put mine in my sonic cleaner

I wouldn't. The gain (I don't see any) isn't worth the risk.

For new dies, I let them soak in OMS (odorless mineral spirits) full disassembled for a day or so. Then I brush and let dry. I put a protective coat of oil on everything when I reassemble.

After that it depends a little on what I am doing. Of course seating dies when using lead bullets will collect small bits of lead and must be cleaned. Otherwise your seating depth will increase (OAL decrease).

For sizing dies, I just run a clean cotton patch through the die occasionally using the proper size brass rod or wood dowel. But my brass is spotless going into the die. I use lanolin/alcohol mix now for lube. I used to use synthetic motor oil. As mentioned above, if you do clean the lube out of the die using brake cleaner or some other solvent, use extra lube on the first case through.

 

[ARshuter]

I spray mine with brake cleaner before every use. Then after that dries I spray inside with One shot.