Is there any special consideration to be taken when cleaning new dies ? Is any bore cleaner good enough ? and then, how often do you clean reloading dies ?
I normally clean new dies by completely disassembling them and soaking them with a cleaner/lubricant like Break Free. This cleans then and leaves a protective film. Just be sure to clean any excess from the inside off the die, as this could result in dented cases. Repeat this after resizing 100 cases or so. Just a rule of thumb to go by.
I usually disassemble mine and spray with trichloroethylene, or the modern politically correct version of that. The other guys are right, especially the vent on the sizer die body. It clogs with polishing compound and if you do not get it out, it will suck back into the die as your first case goes out. Then the next case will permanently scratch the die. Be sure to relube after cleaning. I use a silicone cloth on all surfaces, including the inside for rust protection. I also figure that the lube on the inside from sizing operations will keep it well. Geo.
Posts: 305 | Location: Indian Territory | Registered: 21 April 2003
I've been reloading for 45 years. The only die cleaning I've ever done was just to disassemble and "wash out" with WD-40 or something similar. (WD 40 hasn't been around this long but you get the idea.) After "washing out" I wipe the dies totally dry with soft cloth like old T shirt and never think twice about this again for a few thousand reloads. Anyway, I've never had a problem with a set of reloading dies.
I think anything much more than this would just be "busy work" and of no value in the real world. The exception might be if a person lived in a very humid climate and kept their reloading stuff out doors under a shed or in some place with no climate control. I had a friend who did this ONCE and his dies went to hell in a hurry.
Posts: 19677 | Location: New Mexico | Registered: 23 May 2002