Thread: Lubricating cases. Necessary for Pistols?

I think "or maybe know" lubeing of straight walled handgun cases is not needed in regards of carbide sizing dies. It just doesn't make any difference in regards to making the die last longer, ect. With that said, if someone wants to spray them with a lube, lube them by hand, wipe them with whatever, for whatever reason, have at it. I also know for a fact it does make sizing easier, no matter what type of lube is used....

I don't lube anything that goes into my carbide dies. No need. My Lee carbide pistol dies do just fine without lube and putting it on would add 2 extra steps. I also don't lube my rifle brass when I collet size, but I do when I full length size.

Another novice question guys. Is lubrication of cases necessary for pistol calibers? I Have a loadmaster with carbide dies and haven't loaded my first batch just yet. I've been collecting brass, buying other equipment and reading a lot about the hobby of reloading. Thanks again for the help with my question guys. Take care

Carbide dies are somewhat expensive for a reason -- they work. But if a little lube helps your dies slide better and you don't mind the (small) mess, go with it.

It would cost about $140 bucks a set + shipping. Dillon's makes carbide dies in .223 & .308. But you still have to use case lube with them. Their only claim to fame is commercial reloaders can't wear them out. I use spray lube on all pistol cases with carbide dies. It makes sizing way easier, especially with magnum calibers. It adds no extra work as I tumble before & after sizing & depriming anyway.. rc

I use Hornady "One Shot" case lube when loading pistol cartridges on my LNL progressive using carbide dies. The machine works a little easier and it's worth it to me. I put the brass in a Coolwhip container, spray a very light coat on the brass and tumble it around. A little goes a long way. One can of One Shot lasted me around 20,000 cases and I also spray my homecast bullets before using the Lee push through sizer. It...

I wish they would make carbide dies for rifle calibers. Lee told me that it would be too expensive to do that. I wouldnt mind paying extra for a carbide die for the calibers that I reload all the time, like .308 and 223. How much more could it cost?

There's only thing I use lube for.............(when reloading rifle cases)

I lube just the top 1/4 of every tenth case,makes resizing go much easier,and i just wipe that dab of lube off when boxing up the amm..or just forget about it it's so little. The ease with which that case goes throug the die will amaze you..and convince you.

Try some without lube and then some with lube. You can figure it out for your self that the lubed ones are easier to resize. Is lube necessary? No. Does it make the process easier on you and your equipment? Yes. There is a reason manufacturers of deep draw products (cans, bullet cases, car fenders) use lube in their processes that use carbide tooling. It greatly reduces friction, which reduces heat build-up. It reduces galling, which reduces...