Three reloading questions

[Eric M]

As I was sitting here resizing a bunch of brass, I started wondering how often I should pull apart my dies to clean them. Also, is there a preferred lubrication for my RCBS ram after wiping it down? Last, I had a few cases that showed some pressure signs when I shot them (the primers blew out). There aren't any damage signs to the brass. Should I do anything special with this brass? Thanks.

[Jason]

1: I clean my sizing dies often, maybe every 50 rounds. 2: I use white lithium grease on the ram after wiping it down.
3: I would reduce the charge a bit to keep from blowing the primers out next time

[Eric M]

1: I clean my sizing dies often, maybe every 50 rounds. 2: I use white lithium grease on the ram after wiping it down.
3: I would reduce the charge a bit to keep from blowing the primers out next time

Thanks for the reply Jason. I resized about 200 rounds today so I guess I should pull the die apart. I will definitely reduce the charge. I just wondered if I should use that brass again even with no other obvious problem.

[Buzz2401]

I clean after I am done unless I am loading hundreds of pistol rounds then I will clean after around 300-400.  I use hornady spray lube on all my reloading presses and components.  I would toss those cases that blew the primers out.  Why risk injury, this is rocket science you are doing.

[Jason]

Pistol dies see a lot of sizing before their cleaned.

[Jason]

1: I clean my sizing dies often, maybe every 50 rounds. 2: I use white lithium grease on the ram after wiping it down.
3: I would reduce the charge a bit to keep from blowing the primers out next time

Thanks for the reply Jason. I resized about 200 rounds today so I guess I should pull the die apart. I will definitely reduce the charge. I just wondered if I should use that brass again even with no other obvious problem.

If their not bulging towards the base then your probably OK, but If it was me I would mark those shells with a permanent marker, and then keep an eye on them when you go hit the paper next.

[Eric M]

1: I clean my sizing dies often, maybe every 50 rounds. 2: I use white lithium grease on the ram after wiping it down.
3: I would reduce the charge a bit to keep from blowing the primers out next time

Thanks for the reply Jason. I resized about 200 rounds today so I guess I should pull the die apart. I will definitely reduce the charge. I just wondered if I should use that brass again even with no other obvious problem.

If their not bulging towards the base then your probably OK, but If it was me I would mark those shells with a permanent marker, and then keep an eye on them when you go hit the paper next.

I was thinking the same thing. I'm going to be trying some new powder so maybe I'll just use those for my low end starting loads.

[b23]

I had a few cases that showed some pressure signs when I shot them (the primers blew out).

LOL I'd say your idea and my idea of "some" pressure signs are vastly different. 

I'm sure you didn't mean it like it sounded but that struck me as a little funny.

How often you clean your sizing die will somewhat depend on how grungy your brass is and how much lube you use.  I've seen guys get so much build up of lube inside their sizing die it dents the shoulders.

On the cases that blew the primers out, I'd pay extra attention to how easy a new primer goes back in.  If a new primer goes in with a fair bit less resistance than the others, I'd chuck em in the trash.

[Eric M]

I had a few cases that showed some pressure signs when I shot them (the primers blew out).

LOL I'd say your idea and my idea of "some" pressure signs are vastly different. 

I'm sure you didn't mean it like it sounded but that struck me as a little funny.

How often you clean your sizing die will somewhat depend on how grungy your brass is and how much lube you use.  I've seen guys get so much build up of lube inside their sizing die it dents the shoulders.

On the cases that blew the primers out, I'd pay extra attention to how easy a new primer goes back in.  If a new primer goes in with a fair bit less resistance than the others, I'd chuck em in the trash.

Haha. Maybe if I had written Some of my brass is showing pressure signs (are showing?). Anyway, I switched to Imperial lube recently so I cleaned them before my most recent resizing marathon. With this brass in particular (Federal), it seems pretty common for the primer pocket to get loose anyway according to what I've been reading. I'll probably just toss them. Thanks

[cooltimber]

make chimes out of them,serious. drill the pocket and run fishing line through.Tie on a small nut that will go into the neck arriving at the drilled out primer pocket.then just use your thinking cap for the design..sounds great in the winter winds.. I have given them for xmas gifts. They love'em

[Buzz2401]

make chimes out of them,serious. drill the pocket and run fishing line through.Tie on a small nut that will go into the neck arriving at the drilled out primer pocket.then just use your thinking cap for the design..sounds great in the winter winds.. I have given them for xmas gifts. They love'em

Thats a awesome idea.  But on a serious note is is really worth the risk of trying to get another couple reloads out of those cases.  Youtube blown up guns and reloading gone wrong.

[Eric M]

make chimes out of them,serious. drill the pocket and run fishing line through.Tie on a small nut that will go into the neck arriving at the drilled out primer pocket.then just use your thinking cap for the design..sounds great in the winter winds.. I have given them for xmas gifts. They love'em

Thats a awesome idea.  But on a serious note is is really worth the risk of trying to get another couple reloads out of those cases.  Youtube blown up guns and reloading gone wrong.

Good idea. And yeah probably not.

[cooltimber]

just a note,,,i keep all my used up brass...in a yr or so take them and sell them for poundage ..We all have multiple firearms that we reload for..friends and I got $82 for the last bunch : ,so what did I spent it on,,dhuuu more brass.