is lube before neck re-sizing imperative?

[send it_hit]

starting to do my first batch of .223 reloads. I've already tumbled/deprimed/neck resized 70 casings... All without lube. I completely forgot that aspect.

How important is it to lube the necks when resizing? Are these 70 pieces of brass good to go?

My process has been this:

-Chamfer/De-burr
-Tumble
-Neck resize/deprime
-Primer pocket cleaning

Haven't done any loading yet. Thanks in advance guys

[JamesY]

I only lube when I full length size. If you're having no problems with cases getting stuck when sizing, you're GTG.

[bruceflinch]

Is this once fired brass? Is it brass you shot? Bolt or sami-auto?
Usually you full size, then trim & load, neck size only subsequently.

[RugerNo1]

My neck sizers have TiN coated bushings (redding or RCBS comp. dies) so lube is not necessarily important, but stuck cases are a ***** so I would rather just avoid them. Neck sizing usually does not require much so you may be good.

Make sure your dies stay clean or you could get a stuck case and/or stretch your brass.

[FX-05 Xiuhcoatl]

If you are reloading for semi auto, yes but only for full lenght size, that's just me and what my AR like but what do I know I went 100 cases full lenght size 7 times before going on the trash.

[bubbapug1]

I'd check them in a case gauge to make sure they will chamer, or chamber them in the gun your going to use them in...unloaded of course.

[AMProducts]

you don't really need to lube while neck sizing, but I would recommend it. The main reason for this, once your die gets scratched after some brass builds up on the surface you will have to polish it up periodically, a little tiny bit of lube (imperial sizing wax is perfect for this) or even one of the dry lubes, lots of people use powdered mica, I prefer wax though...

If you upgrade to a carbide/tool steel TiN coated neck sizing bushing you don't need to worry about the lube as the material is slick enough that you won't get the build-up. If you're serious about getting precision out of a bolt rifle, and maximizing case life, one of the bushing style dies is a must. I can't recommend them enough!

[send it_hit]

thanks guys. im loading .223 for a bolt action rifle, the brass has already been fireformed in my rifle.

gonna look into some lubes just in case. better safe than sorry right?

[novalondon]

Per the paperwork in most dies sets for the neck sizing dies I have used say NOT to or NO lube is needed. Lee, RCBS, Redding.

[Sub95]

Neck sizing brass that came from your own rifle with no lube is fine.

if you get brass from somewhere else you will need to full length size them and add lube to the case, or you could get a stuck case in the die, and that is a pain to get out.

make sure you dont put alot of lube above the shoulder as when you go to FL size the case the case could collapse/dent in, as the lube will make a air tight fit with the case and die and the lube will not compress. just put a very light coat on the cases and you will be good.

[AMProducts]

You don't have to use lube, and even if they say not to use lube, your results will be better with lube. However, you must only apply a very small amount or you will get neck dents. With imperial sizing wax, put a tiny dab on your fingers and then rub it into the pads of your fingers then rub the case necks, when you are done you should only be able to feel the lube, you should not see any lube on the neck. After sizing, wipe off the lube.

For .223 the amount of lube you should have on your fingers should be enough to do about 10-15 cases, it should be about the same amount of neosporin you would put on a papercut.

[Nessal]

I don't lube if it's just neck sizing. But I use Lee collet dies so they don't need lube anyways.

[NoJoke]

starting to do my first batch of .223 reloads. I've already tumbled/deprimed/neck resized 70 casings... All without lube. I completely forgot that aspect.

How important is it to lube the necks when resizing? Are these 70 pieces of brass good to go?

My process has been this:

-Chamfer/De-burr
-Tumble
-Neck resize/deprime
-Primer pocket cleaning

Haven't done any loading yet. Thanks in advance guys

You just reminded me of what I forgot!
NO lube used...whoops!
But, no problems detected so far.
Can I just spray down the cases w/ "one shot" prior to running the next batch?

[rsrocket1]

If you full length resize, you'll immediately know you've forgotten the lube and end up with a stuck case.

If you use a Lee collet neck sizer, not only do you not need lube, it does absolutely no good to use it. There are 4 fingers that simply close in on the neck when you get to the end of the ram stroke. No need for lube if all the forces are inward on the neck, you simply squeeze lube out from the neck.

Lube may help with some fixed diameter dies that slide over the neck.