Workflow question regarding lube, sizing, and cleaning...

[Danattherock]

Brand new to reloading I am trying to figure out best way to lube and clean cases after lubing. Started out using rcbs pad lube. Messy and I tumbled them after sizing. Was told that is bad as I get corncob or walnut media in my flash holes doing that. Then I used one shot and it is easier and less messy, but still requires cleaning.

If using my rock chucker, loading small volumes, it is easy to wipe down lubed and resized cases with a rag. But when using dillon 550 I have many cases that are lubed, and loaded with bullet and powder so can't use tumbler and it's a lot to wipe down 200-300 rounds.

I did notice some of my spent 223 primers had media in them when using 550 yesterday. Presumably crammed down the flash hole in the decapping station on Dillon 550. These once fired cases were tumbled before being lubed and ran through Dillon 550. Makes me think tumbling after lubing and sizing on single stage press would put media in flash holes as well.

Any advice on proper lubing, resizing, and lube cleaning routine? Also, I am using single stage and progressive press so not sure if process is the same for each. Simple to you perhaps but I am scratching my head a bit. Learning a lot in recent weeks, but lots to learn obviously. Thanks for your patience and any insights you may share.


Dan

 

[Dgd6mm]

Dan, I have never used a progressive in a rifle cartridge, so can't help you there. All my reloading in done in my singlestage like this : first I decapp with a universal decapping die, then tumble and check flashole. If media is in the flashole I use a straightened paperclip to clean. I then spray on lube and resize and tumble once again, if media is in flashole I paperclip it again. Maybe someone can give us a shortcut. I have sized some with Imperial die sizing wax and after sizing wiped the case clean.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I use Imperial Wax to lube the cases as I decap and resize in one operation. (This is done after I have annealed the cases and used 0000 steel on the necks if there is anything stuck there.)

I tumble the decapped & sized cases in walnut for a few hours and then as I fish them out of the media, I inspect the flash holes and for the few that have media in them, I push it out with the tip of a nail or thumbtack. At the appointed cycle (after 3 loads), I trim, chamfer and deburr the cases. Prime, load, seat and done.

All this is done on a turret press (Redding T-7). It was the same workflow with a single stage.

 

[jlow]

I did notice some of my spent 223 primers had media in them when using 550 yesterday. Presumably crammed down the flash hole in the decapping station on Dillon 550. These once fired cases were tumbled before being lubed and ran through Dillon 550. Makes me think tumbling after lubing and sizing on single stage press would put media in flash holes as well.

One method to overcome media in primer pocket using a 550 is to put in station one a Lee Universal Decapping die which is very cheap and very effective. The decapper will clear any media in the primer pocket.

 

[stool]

the clean nice way to use a dillon 550 is to process your brass and then load your brass..

phase one...clean the brass...do not put dirty brass in your dies..

deprime and size the brass with one tool head......i deprime with a lee universal deprime die, size with a small base(if not my own brass) and then do a fll size with a large bushing die....( so i can do volume trim to length)

clean the brass........get a vib type tumbler and use fine ground corn cob with nufinish car polish.

when ready to load
one is a lee universal deprime die to ensure nothing in the flash hole.
powder in number two,
seat in 3 and
crimp in 4 if you are crimping.

I did notice some of my spent 223 primers had media in them when using 550 yesterday. Presumably crammed down the flash hole in the decapping station on Dillon 550. These once fired cases were tumbled before being lubed and ran through Dillon 550. Makes me think tumbling after lubing and sizing on single stage press would put media in flash holes as well.

One method to overcome media in primer pocket using a 550 is to put in station one a Lee Universal Decapping die which is very cheap and very effective. The decapper will clear any media in the primer pocket.

 

[gotcha]

I and others have tumbled AFTER cartridge assembly. It scared me the 1st time but I've learned that tumbling (vibratory) doesn't induce enough primer impact to cause detonation. On the Dillon (.223) I tumble before removing primers then size at 1st station after using one-shot. Primer pockets are brushed out every 2nd firing. Checking the depth of a seated primer and looking for flattening of primer from the primer punch will tell you if the pockets really need cleaning. I clean the primer punch & cup regularly with a tooth brush while I'm reloading. Not everyone would subscribe to my routine but its worked without incident for me for about 30yrs.

 

[M-61]

Deprime with a universal tool (punch is small for Lapua brass). Vibrate in walnut media. Clean primer pocket and knock out any media in flash hole. Roll brass on pad with RCBS-2 (or only neck for neck sizing.) Wipe with rag after sizing and place in tray for priming.
Works fine for me since early 60's. Bottom line...... never a stuck case. A few chances to handle and examine brass. Amount of lube used on case should be minimal (no case dents). Never found it really messy. I'm never in a rush though.

 

[jaygorski]

Dan, I have never used a progressive in a rifle cartridge, so can't help you there. All my reloading in done in my singlestage like this : first I decapp with a universal decapping die, then tumble and check flashole. If media is in the flashole I use a straightened paperclip to clean. I then spray on lube and resize and tumble once again, if media is in flashole I paperclip it again. Maybe someone can give us a shortcut. I have sized some with Imperial die sizing wax and after sizing wiped the case clean.

Pretty much the same for me, but I resize and decap all at once, then throw them in the tumbler, but I rarely get any media in my flashholes, I just resized 400 223 cases and sprayed them with One Shot, stuff works great for bigger jobs, for my Creedmoor I use Mink oil which is even better than One Shot and works as good as Imperial and it's cheaper, too. You can soak your brass in hot water and let them drip dry I suppose.

 

[stool]

the whole idea of a dillon 550 is to be able to do BIG BATCHES of ammo.
to add hand wiping to the process of doing a 1000 rds is just silly in my opinion.
yes you can do 100 and hand wipe...but remember his question was about the
dillon 550.
and yes post load tumbling does work,,,,

 

[Nalgi]

I have a RCBS Auto Index Press.
However, I don't use the powder charger because it doesn't like large extruded powders.

So, this is my process.
1. Lube cases on pad
2. size and trim if necessary
3. throw into SS media tumbler for a couple of hours. This not only gets the brass like new but cleans the primer pocket as well.
4. Set primer
5. charge
6. seat bullet.

When I custom load, I tumble the bullets prior to seating to get them looking like new.

And yes you can tumble loaded ammo.