Best way to clean off case lube

[Uncle Krunkle]

I've been using that DILLON CASE LUBE SPRAY for resizing my rifle brass. Then I tumble it again after it's resized to clean off the lube. I think some people soak it in solvent. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[FlatsFlite]

I've been using that DILLON CASE LUBE SPRAY for resizing my rifle brass. Then I tumble it again after it's resized to clean off the lube. I think some people soak it in solvent. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

I throw mine in the tumbler for a few minutes.

 

[byf43]

Toss them back into the tumbler with some OLD media.

I've got some Lyman's "Tuff-Nut" media that's over 20 years old, that I use to cut the lube off.

 

[j8064]

I agree...tumble some more. That's what I do.

 

[Skins_Brew]

Just keep going and tumble clean when your rounds are done. Live rounds are ok in the tumbler.

 

[Mt Airy]

I use the hornaday spray and don't even clean them . there is no residue

 

[Russ D]

Just keep going and tumble clean when your rounds are done. Live rounds are ok in the tumbler.

I'm thinking about trying this. Can't imagine how it could be dangerous considering what it takes to set off a primer.

 

[byf43]

I'm thinking about trying this. Can't imagine how it could be dangerous considering what it takes to set off a primer.

Russ, I've tumbled loaded rounds in the past. No adverse effects. (From '06 to .357 magnums.) Of course, when I switched to carbide dies for pistol cartridges, lubing the cases was a thing of the past.

I just don't like handling cases and boolits with lube on them and then my hands. That's why I tumble the lube off of the cases after sizing.

Sure beats the 'old method' of wiping the lube off of every case, by hand!

 

[BenL]

I use the hornaday spray and don't even clean them . there is no residue

I just switched to this to cut down on tumbling.

 

[TheRevolution]

I throw them in the tumbler. If i dont feel like waiting for that to clean them off I spray the cases down with brake cleaner and wipe em down all at once in an old towel then let them sit for a few minutes to make sure they are totally dry.

 

[Maryland Hunter]

I use the same lube (well, Frankford Arsenal, but it's the same thing), I wipe off the case with a paper towel, then tumble the brass for a short while to remove any remaining lube.

MH

 

[duckslayer]

Tumbling loaded rounds is a bad idea. The powder is coated with flame retardants to control burn rate. These van be worn of in the tumbler resulting in an uncontrolled burn.

 

[paperwork351]

Does anyone who uses the media method use change it or keep it the same for both uses?

 

[byf43]

Does anyone who uses the media method use change it or keep it the same for both uses?

Ahem. . . . Read post #3.

 

[Winterborn]

Tumbling loaded rounds is a bad idea. The powder is coated with flame retardants to control burn rate. These van be worn of in the tumbler resulting in an uncontrolled burn.

The powder is inside the loaded case, all tumbling loaded rounds does is clean them.

I just got in some of the Hornady Spray, hoping that it removes the need to clean the lube off (using the Lyman spray up until now).

 

[Maryland Hunter]

Tumbling loaded rounds is a bad idea. The powder is coated with flame retardants to control burn rate. These van be worn of in the tumbler resulting in an uncontrolled burn.

The powder is inside the loaded case, all tumbling loaded rounds does is clean them.

I just got in some of the Hornady Spray, hoping that it removes the need to clean the lube off (using the Lyman spray up until now).

I've always heard that it's bad to do. It's been debated for a long time, as to whether the danger is a primer getting hit and set off, or the powder in the case getting broken down from the intense vibration and having an effect on it's burn rate, or whether or not there's any effect at all. Not any real reason for me to take the chance though.

MH

 

[Bolts Rock]

I use the generic version of PAM for case lube and after sizing give them a quick ultrasonic with dish liquid and water, rinse and let dry. You do have to take apart and wash the sizing dies with PAM but as a lube it is great stuff.

 

[Traveler]

Do not attempt to clean loaded ammunition. To do so could result in cartridge detonation causing
serious personal injury.

http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instructions/SidewinderCaseTumblerInstructions.pdf

Just a quote from the RCBS manual. I think my RCBS vibratory tumbler also said not to tumble loaded rounds.

Just an FYI, not looking to debate or insult anyone.

 

[byf43]

http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instructions/SidewinderCaseTumblerInstructions.pdf

Just a quote from the RCBS manual. I think my RCBS vibratory tumbler also said not to tumble loaded rounds.

Just an FYI, not looking to debate or insult anyone.

What are the chances of "cartridge detonation"????

Slim to none, IMNSHO.

I've seen tests/reports of cartridges being caught in fire, thrown against concrete/cinderblock walls, and more.

I've seen first-hand, cartridges that have been subjected to fire (in a steel 55 gal drum/trashcan, and the cartridges DID 'go off', however, because no pressure was built up (as when fired in a chamber/barrel), the projectiles moved less than 1"!!!!!


Personally, I'm not concerned with "cartridge detonation" in a tumbler.

YMMV.

 

[methlab]

Tumbling a loaded round has no chance of igniting but I wonder what is happening to the powde's shape. If the media is vibrating around the case cleaning it, what is the powder doing to the insde? Any breakdown of the propellent's shape will have drastic effects on the burn rate. Has anyone pulled the bullet and checked the powder after being tumbled? I an courious what effects it has.