Why lube your cases?
Why lube your cases? Lubricating your cases is a critical step to properly resize cases as well as to protect your resizing dies. Proper lubrication ensures the cases will not become seized into the resizing die – and prevents damaging cases with too much lube.
Experienced reloaders know that properly applying lube to your cases before resizing is a critical step to protect your equipment – and avoid the getting a case stuck in your die.
Read on to learn about the different types of case lubricants, how much to use, where to apply lube, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re new to reloading or looking to refine your process, this guide will help ensure smooth, trouble-free sizing every time.
FIRST STEP
First things first. Prior to lubing your cases, carefully inspect each case looking for any cracks or issues. Now is a good time to lightly wipe down the cases with a clean cloth and remove any dirt or debris on your cases. For extremely dirty brass, it’s recommended to clean your cases before sizing with a vibratory tumbler or ultrasonic cleaner. Removing dirt and debris off your cases stops your dies from getting dirty and keeps your sizing die working smoothly.
Lube PAd Method
Now, you’re ready to lube. RCBS offers multiple options to ensure your cases are properly lubricated.
One method, use a RCBS Case Lube Kit. Including a case lube pad, 2-oz. bottle of case lube, and two interchangeable case neck brushes, this kit has everything you need to prep your brass before sizing. Here’s how:
- Apply the lube to the pad following directions on lube bottle
- Roll the cases back and forth on the pad to coat the body of the case, try to avoid getting any lube on the case shoulder. A light coating is all you need
- The inside of the case necks requires a small amount of lube to aid in proper expanding of the neck by the expander ball on the de-capping rod of the sizing die. Use case neck brush with a small amount of case lube on the bristles. Insert the brush into each case neck once or twice
LUBE SPRAY METHOD
Another method to lube your cases is RCBS Case Slick Spray Lube. Here’s how:
- Place the cases in a RCBS case loading block that allows access to all sides of each case
- Spray lube on all sides of the case bodies to ensure lubricant is evenly applied to all sides. The proper amount is just enough to cover all sides of each case. Too much lube and the compression force inside the die can dent or possibly damage the cases
- Avoid spraying on the case neck and shoulder if you can, but don’t worry if a little lube is sprayed in that area
LUBE DIES
For progressive presses and high-volume reloaders, RCBS’s Lube Dies are also an easy way to decap (deprime) and lube your cases in one step.
- Choose the correct sized die for the cartridge you are loading. See CHART
- Install/thread the die onto your press as you would a resizing or bullet seating die
- Add lube to your die via the hole on the side of the die
- Run your press normally, checking the first few cases to ensure they are properly lubed with a light coating
AFTER YOU APPLY THE LUBE
Once cases are lubed, they are ready to be sized. After the case is properly sized, the lube can be removed via a RCBS Vibratory Case Polisher with good quality case cleaning media, RCBS Rotary Case Cleaner or an RCBS ultrasonic case cleaner with RCBS case cleaning solution.
If you find yourself with a stuck case, be sure to use the RCBS Stuck Case Remover Kit to clear your die of your stuck case and get you back to reloading.
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