Full-Length Resizing Without Lube?

[wytonpjs]

Hi

Primarily a stalker with regular range sessions to "prove" competence. I have traditionally only neck re-sized but I have reached that point where neck re-sizing is not enough with my .243 cases and I need to full-length re-size; some of the Norma cases must have been reloaded over 10 times and all still appear good. I also anneal every reload.

I've just done a large batch of my original .243 cases using my el-cheapo Lee FLS die but that requires lube inside and out. I use carbide neck re-sizing dies; are there full length carbide dies that obviate the need for any lube?

I've found the LYMAN DELUXE 243 WINCHESTER NECK SIZER DIE WITH CARBIDE EXPANDER BUTTON that does away with needing to lube the inside but is there a die that obviates both inside and outside please?

TIA

 

[Malxwal]

I think if they existed, we'd all be using them.

 

[finnbear270]

Lube still needed as above post.

 

[NullMac]

Always lube. The consequences of getting it wrong is a nightmare

 

[Stalker62]

Always lube. The consequences of getting it wrong is a nightmare

 

[NP435]

I have never seen carbide dies in rifle calibers; I am positive the factory's use them. I can and have sized 44 mag with no lube in a carbide die. I prefer to light lube even with a carbide sizer.

 

[Morkai]

 

[maximus otter]

maximus otter

 

[8x57]

I have never seen carbide dies in rifle calibers; I am positive the factory's use them. I can and have sized 44 mag with no lube in a carbide die. I prefer to light lube even with a carbide sizer.

Carbide sizing dies for rifle cartridges would only be suitable for straight walled cartridges.
You can get carbide expander buttons that reduce the requirement for lubing the inside of case necks but I think its still recommended that a small amount of lube is used on some cartridges say every 20th or so. I don't know for certain as its something I read many years ago and promised to buy some replacement carbide buttons but never got around to it. I think its Redding who make them.
I did once see a resizing die made by Dillon for their progressive presses that had a felt ring soaked in lube for the outside of the case. It never caught on so I guess it wasn't too successful.

 

[petlowe]

I use the Redding FL die with the carbide button and a bit of their case neck lube, the dry powder stuff, it's primer friendly if you are in need of doing a re-set and it works well.
Getting very consistent results, no major work hardening or entrapment risks thousands of cases in on the likes of .243, 308 and 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Pedro]

So, lube is needed. Yep. What is used though? Compared with other lubricants, specific reloading lube isn't too cheap. Do people use alternative products?

 

[kenbro]

So, lube is needed. Yep. What is used though? Compared with other lubricants, specific reloading lube isn't too cheap. Do people use alternative products?

Member @Dr.Strangelove mixes (And sells on here) his own recipe and give a % from sales to charity.
It works too.
Ken.
Ps. This is good too and a tiny amount goes a long way.

 

[trickie]

No is cheap, some is merry (lee stuff in the white tube) almost all does the job.
Unless you do many 000’s then something like Hornady
OneShot is worth the money IMHO of course, many will differ

 

[Pedro]

So the chain oil for my motorbike and that stuff in the bedside cabinet won't do then?

 

[aris]

FL carbide dies exist, but very expensive. Just use lube and be done with it.

 

[royalewithcheese]

So, lube is needed. Yep. What is used though? Compared with other lubricants, specific reloading lube isn't too cheap. Do people use alternative products?

I can't vouch for it personally as I've not used it, but I've seen quite a few people on US forums using a mixture of lanolin and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I can't vouch for it personally as I've not used it, but I've seen quite a few people on US forums using a mixture of lanolin and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle.

Pretty sure that what @Dr. Strangelove does on here. It does work

 

[Tarquin]

Dillon make 223 and 308 full length carbide dies.
I just use lanolin. A drop on finger and thumb sparingly smeared on the case wall is all you need.
Lasts about 20 cases then another dab etc.

 

[A Guy Out West]

Pretty sure there are not carbide dies for bottle neck cartridges. Imperial die wax has become obscenely expensive. Hornady makes a sizing wax similar to the Imperial stuff for only $5.99 a tub and there is more of it too. I used a light coat of Ballistol last night and it worked great. Annealing every time…. Seems a little Over eager. Of note, don’t t over lube.

 

[8x57]

Dillon make 223 and 308 full length carbide dies.
I just use lanolin. A drop on finger and thumb sparingly smeared on the case wall is all you need.
Lasts about 20 cases then another dab etc.

FL carbide dies exist, but very expensive. Just use lube and be done with it.

Dillon Precision Carbide Resizing Die Only 308 WIN (10234) - Premier Distributors

The sizing/depriming die is full-length and sized to minimum tolerances to size cases down to function in both semi and fully automatic firearms

www.reloading.co.uk

Yes Dillon make carbide die sets for .223rem and .308win but you still need to lube the cases. This is what the blurb says-

For high volume users, such as commercial reloaders, law enforcement agencies, and high power or service rifle competitors, we also offer .223 and .308 full-length carbide sizing die. Lubrication is still required, but the increased scratch resistance and die longevity of carbide are of great benefit to these groups of users.