Rusted full length resizing die.

[sacha]

Hello,

Just after a bit of advice.

My reloading equipment has been in storage for sometime and I just got everything out and began full length sizing a batch. Unfortunately after I had finished, I noticed that there was some rust patches on the inside of the die.

Will this batch be ok to use? Or will I have to bin it? There doesn't appear to be any dents on the case as a result.

I plan on putting the die in my ultrasonic cleaner after soaking in dw40. Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[8x57]

How severe is the rust?
I found some rust inside one of my dies some years ago. It was mainly on the sizing rod and was caused by graphite mixed with sizing wax accumulating unnoticed in the die. Ever since then I have been paranoid about regularly inspecting and cleaning my dies, to the extent of washing them in WD40 if I'm not intending to use them for some time, and keeping them in an airtight Tupperware box. Fortunately I was able to clean off the rust using a bit of wet and dry plus some wire wool. I would say that as long as they are not pitted you shouldn't have any problem.

 

[sacha]

This is the best photo I can get. It's quite bad. The cases look absolutely fine though.

 

[8x57]

That doesn't look good!
I would clean it as best I could and give it a try, if it works with no problems just try to forget about it. If it doesn't and causes problems then its a new die I'm afraid.

I don't know if you do the same but if I'm resizing I always run the case through the die once, then rotate it 180 degrees and then run it through again. Hopefully that may even out any irregularities.

 

[Burger]

I had something similar happen, I used a cleaning mop from my gun cleaning kit that fit snug with metal polishing compound. I put an attachment on my drill and cleaned 99% of it up. I still use the die today.

 

[Burger]

Anything is worth a go to save buying a new one.

 

[sacha]

Thanks for the advice chaps. After 20 minutes in the ultrasonic cleaner the rust is gone but appears to be some pittting left behind. I suppose I try out a few rounds with it and see if it produces accurate loads and if not il have to replace. Kicking myself for not giving a coat of oil before putting it away.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Resize, load, shoot, repeat…..

 

[MAH]

Will this batch be ok to use? Or will I have to bin it? There doesn't appear to be any dents

What does the resized case look like?
Post a picture.

Do the new rounds chamber ok?

M

 

[sacha]

This is 5 randomly selected , after cleaning them there are a couple of very small depressions on
them. All chambered without issue.

 

[Apthorpe]

This isn't advice. I'd be perfectly happy using that die. I don't target shoot or use especially high pressure loads

 

[Pauls]

A bit of OO wire wool on a drill. Nice polish will sort out what’s left. Then a tumble in wet media with steel pins to clean. Dry in a low oven or dehydrator. I’ve switched to lanolin from a member on here and had no problems with rust since.

 

[enfieldspares]

Hello,

Just after a bit of advice.

My reloading equipment has been in storage for sometime and I just got everything out and began full length sizing a batch. Unfortunately after I had finished, I noticed that there was some rust patches on the inside of the die.

Will this batch be ok to use? Or will I have to bin it? There doesn't appear to be any dents on the case as a result.

I plan on putting the die in my ultrasonic cleaner after soaking in dw40. Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

Buy some Evapo-Rust (Amazon has it). It is a molasses based liquid. I used in on rusted Lyman moulds. It will remove the rust and the rust bluing but will not remove any good metal although it will leave the thing a grey colour.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Polish the die out to a different calibre

 

[25 Sharps]

A bit of OO wire wool on a drill. Nice polish will sort out what’s left. Then a tumble in wet media with steel pins to clean. Dry in a low oven or dehydrator. I’ve switched to lanolin from a member on here and had no problems with rust since.

That’s exactly what I was going to say, although 0000 on a dowel, spun by a drill