Case lube removal

twitch4968 · Dec 16, 2012

Went to the Indian Creek range yesterday (very clean range, the volunteer lady was very sweet) and popped off about 200 5.56 rounds. One out of 20 rounds would jam in the gun. It appeared that the round wasn't chambering fully and causing the bolt not to go all the way forward.

Remington once fired brass from Brassman Brass
Lee .223/5.56 dies with crimp die
Dillon 550 press
RCBS spray case lube
Cases cleaned by ultra-sonic machine
Custom built 5.56 with Noveske barrel and BCM bolt group

I clean the cases with the ultra-sonic cleaner, lube them up, and spin them around the press and throw in a bag.

I know that with the lube still on the cases, they'll pick dirt/grime/grass. Pretty much everything sticks but money and chicks. And I feel that this is causing my rifle to jam. What's the best way to remove that lube? I no longer have a media tumbler, and even when I did, the lube never really came off. What do ya'll use to remove the lube?

Tigerstripe · Dec 17, 2012

look for a ring on the bottom of the brass. sometimes they dont go all the way into the die and dont want to go all the way into the chamber.

i rub lube off every loaded bullet. final inspection.

wont be doing it anymore though. again, sold all that crap. guns and all. ill be coming to the range to shoot yours if i shoot, ok?

JRiddle · Dec 17, 2012

TS, Did those black helicopters scare you that bad?
Twitch, just lay em out on a old bath towel before you bag em, and clean em off. That will fix it if it's just a matter of lube, but check and make sure they're getting sized all the way down.

Clicker · Dec 17, 2012

You guys will think this is nuts but I use 91% isopropyl alcohol, it dissolves the lanolin in the lube I use. I put the loaded ammo into a mesh laundry bag and dip them into a jug of alcohol, swirl them around for a few seconds and dump them onto a towel to dry.

Pistol and rifle ammo - they both get the same treatment. I've never had a FTF that I can blame on the practice. I suppose you could spray them with alcohol if you're afraid to dip them.

Dave29461 · Dec 17, 2012

I use the lube that has Lanolin dissolved in Alcohol. No stuck cases, Yet. No build up if I don't get crazy with the spray bottle. Drys quickly.

twitch4968 · Dec 18, 2012

Ill try using a spray bottle and wipe them off. Im pretty good at knocking over anything liquid filled.

mark_b · Dec 18, 2012

I use RCBS 2 lubricant. It is water soluble. After sizing the cases. I put them in a small bucket of hot water straight out of the water heater in my garage. I then dump them into a old beach towel to dry them off, shaking them to get the water off.

I lay them on the towel in the sunlight and they are hot in a few minutes in the summer time.

The lubricant comes right off and the shells (inside and out) dry in a few minutes in the direct sunlight. As a precaution I do wait a day before loading to make sure they are completely dry.

I load mainly pistol and this works for me.

Glockrunner · Dec 19, 2012

Roll the case bodies on a pad to apply the lube to the side of the case and don't let the lube get on the necks. It can cause dents during the loading process in the neck area.

I would just wipe the cases down individually myself but I don't. I sparily use VERY LITTLE lube in loading rifle rounds.

Also check the lockup lugs in and next to the chamber. This area needs cleaning out from time to time with an appro. sized brush.

buddyb · Dec 19, 2012

I throw mine in the tumbler after I size them.

HOLY DIVER · Jan 2, 2013

My method: rcbs case lube pad after sized I use a towel I spayed some windex on to get the lube off then I throw them in the tumbler for about 3 hours. This has always worked for me.

Tigerstripe · Jan 2, 2013

a caution. i have put loaded bullets in a tumbler until someone told me it could cause the powder to break up (rifle, stick type). that might cause a problem.

HOLY DIVER · Jan 5, 2013

Tigerstripe said:
a caution. i have put loaded bullets in a tumbler until someone told me it could cause the powder to break up (rifle, stick type). that might cause a problem.

Yes I would agree don't do that.

Clicker · Jan 6, 2013

I recall seeing thread where they tumbled loaded ammo for days and then pulled the bullets and photographed the powder under a microscope. There was no visible damage or change to the powder kernels that could be seen. Several types (ball, extruded, flake, stick) of powder were examined IIRC.

Obviously each individual should do what they feel is best but I've never had any problems tumbling my reloads for 30 to 60 minutes in order to remove any remaining lube.