Question for the reloaders

[gbarbo001]

My question relates to case lube and powder "contamination". I've read no end of stories in many different forums about the perils of contaminating your powder with case lube during the reloading process. But nowhere have I ever seen an account of what actually happens if you do accidently contaminate your powder with case lube. That is to say, some lube gets in a case and then the case is filled with powder. Can someone shed some light on this issue?

[ThatFishGuy]

Depending on how you apply case lube, this shouldn't really be an issue. But contaminated powder can act sporadically. Everything from just fizzle and cause a squib, to detonation which is the other extreme. For things that I load in mass, like 45acp, I typically use hornady one shot, which is formulated to not mess with powder chemistry. With rifle cartridges, I usually use a wax base lube so I Tumble after sizing so I don't accumulate wax in my other dies anyways.

[Rwnielsen]

When I first started reloading, I used Dillon spray lube on my 45 acp brass. I don't think I let it dry enough before I loaded it. I was shooting some of these back in 2007 and had a squib. The gun, a new S&W 1911, cycled fine and the next round cleared the barrel.... also locking up the gun with a bulged barrel. I sent it back to S&W with a letter taking full responsibility. It cost me $250, as I recall, for them to replace and fit a new barrel. I was lucky, it could have been much worse. The lube is the only reason I can think of that would have caused this, I was loading on a fully optioned xl650 and, ironically, carbide dies. I bought the press, options, a Speer book and some components a just started reloading. This was not long ago... 2001.

[Win231]

I thought it was common knowledge that after lubing & resizing, cases are tumbled to get rid of the lube. Oh well, that's how I've always done it when loading the 500 S&W which needs case lube even with a carbide sizer. Also, I'll lube every 5th or 10th case when sizing 9mm.

[Rwnielsen]

I wasn't on any reloading forums back in 2001 so, it may have been common knowledge but not to me. It was an expensive lesson none the less.

[gbarbo001]

I thought it was common knowledge that after lubing & resizing, cases are tumbled to get rid of the lube. Oh well, that's how I've always done it when loading the 500 S&W which needs case lube even with a carbide sizer. Also, I'll lube every 5th or 10th case when sizing 9mm.

I am aware of this "common knowledge". My question is why? What happens if you don't?

[LynnJr]

The issues with not removing the lube is it will hold the powder.
You end up with a case half full and spilled powder everywhere.
If you don't catch it you now have a soft load.

[Win231]

I am aware of this "common knowledge". My question is why? What happens if you don't?

Then everything you touch will have slimy lube on it: The scale powder pan, the outside of the cases, the powder drop tube, the powder measure, the press handle & a bunch of other places, including everywhere you scratch yourself.





I crack me up.

[glassparman]

Do your case prep first, with lube. Then clean your cases with whatever process your prefer. I use ultrasonic on daily stuff and wet tumbler with SS pins on the real nasty stuff.

Either way, cleaning before you load should solve the issue if one exists.

[jwest]

One reason I use 'dry lube' on some of the cartridges I load.
Here's a great paper posted by UniqueTek:

http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/uploaded/Cartridge_Case_Lubrication.pdf

[Metal God]

I thought it was common knowledge that after lubing & resizing, cases are tumbled to get rid of the lube.

I don't use a progressive press but I was not aware that when using a AP you lube , size then take the cases out/off the press . Tumble them then after tumble put them back into station two and continue loading . Do you tumble in bulk or one case at a time to speed up the loading when using a AP press ?

[tonyjr]

jwest
Thanks , I copied and saved .
I use this as a lube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olahEwJMUi8

1st - I de - primer - clean primer pocket . Tumble - lube . [ cases upside down in loading block and sprayed ] Air dry and then back in box .
I don't lube and reload on same day . It is common for us to go shooting , come home - de primer the shells and into tumbler . Clean primer pockets and then lube [ I have an old broken dehydration box / thing ] could be days before shells are taken out and put in their boxes .

As for the question - lube can cause nasty build up in gun , barrel , gas ports , flaring out the barrel [ like sparks ] stuck rounds in barrel , clip / magazine . Stuck bullet in barrel [ if you miss target - check barrel before you fire next round ]
I don't like use wax / oil type lubes - they are messy , don't like heat and can attract dust .

[tonyjr]

jwest
Thanks , I copied and saved .
I use this as a lube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olahEwJMUi8

1st - I de - primer - clean primer pocket . Tumble - lube . [ cases upside down in loading block and sprayed ] Air dry and then back in box .
I don't lube and reload on same day . It is common for us to go shooting , come home - de primer the shells and into tumbler . Clean primer pockets and then lube [ I have an old broken dehydration box / thing ] could be days before shells are taken out and put in their boxes .

As for the question - lube can cause nasty build up in gun , barrel , gas ports , flaring out the barrel [ like sparks ] stuck rounds in barrel , clip / magazine . Stuck bullet in barrel [ if you miss target - check barrel before you fire next round ]
I don't like use wax / oil type lubes - they are messy , don't like heat and can attract dust .