Is old sizing lub too stiff ?

[Tozguy]

Getting back to reloading after a 25 year hiatus and wonder if my old sizing pad and RCBS lub have thickened up too much. Why I ask is because some 300WSM brass is coming out of the die about .020'' shorter than when it went in. Plus, the case has buckled just under the shoulder and has dimples on the shoulder itself. Typical 'too much lub' symptoms except that no matter how little lub is used it strill happens. The die was cleaned thoroughly but it didn't help. It doesn't happen with 30-06 cases.
The 300WSM FC brass is only fired once so I don't expect it to be work hardened enough to cause a problem.
My theory that the lub has dried too much is also indicated by the waxy feel the cases have after they have been wiped with solvent. It is easy enough to get a new pad and lub but this situation has me curious as to whether any of you have ever encountered similar results.

 

[Kenny474]

Are you sure you are adjusting the die correctly? If it doesn't happen with 30-06 brass, than I would tend to think the issue lies with adjustment. I have never buckled a case from too much lube. I have gotten dimples in the shoulder from excessive lube on the neck, but never buckled cases. It sounds like you are trying to push the shoulder back too far in one pass and buckling the case.

But maybe buy some new lube anyway. I thought the RCBS stuff was oil based and shouldn't thicken, but considering it's nearly as old as I am anything can happen.

Imperial Sizing Wax works very well, though only a very small amount is required. I am not a fan of the pad myself.

With some of the newer dies you don't just run them down until they contact the shell holder at full ram extension, you actually need to adjust them to the proper headspace.

 

[Tozguy]

The 300WSM FL die is set so the sized case will barely chamber in the rifle (Sako Model 75) without resistance. The setting happens to be all the way in (with the shell holder touching the die).
It does help to size in stages, rotating the shell a bit in between passes. Never had to do that with other calibers but then none of them were in the 'fat' short magnum family either.
From what I have experienced in the past greases do dry out especially those in a plastic containers. Even motor oils loose some their more volatile ingredients over time through evaporation.

 

[bheadboy]

i have experienced the problem when the shell holder vs die combo does not match, either the die or the shell holder being at the opposite extreme in spec. and the chamber being at another

i agree, oils, lube dry out over time as the volital components evaporate, just for a test only, take a little of the lub and mix a drop of #9, to thin, try a case, if it works the lub is the problem

Bob

 

[RonAKA]

Have not run into this issue. If getting to a gun store for new lube is an issue, I find STP works very well as a sizing lube. But, you do have to be careful not to get too much on.