[EAL]

Do the finished rounds need to be buffed up a little? The lube or sealant, whatever it is, seems to get smeared around from handling, so I took a towel and wiped each one down, but I'm wondering if this is really necessary?

TIA

EAL

 

[herd48]

It's not necessary. Some fellas on here throw them in their tumblers for a few minutes with corncob. It won't make them shoot any better. I don't do anything except shoot them.

 

[WESHOOT2]

lead-n-lube buildup

If excessive it can prevent a cartridge from chambering fully, which in turn keeps the slide from returning fully into battery.

If it's just plinking ammo agree, don't bother, but for match ammo or even more serious use most highly recommend cleaning that crap up.

I do it by hand (mostly). Can use mineral spirits to help cut the gunk (WARNING! MINERAL SPIRITS ARE FLAMMABLE!).

I have also on occassion used clean corncob media with a modest amount of mineral spirits in my two case cleaners (but NEVER HP lead bullets, because it takes FOREVER to pick out those little kernels).
WARNING! MINERAL SPIRITS ARE FLAMMABLE!

picked up this tip from www.bullseyepistol.com

 

[Clark LSHB]

If there's enough accumulated lube on the rounds, then there is another problem ... where did all that lube come from? I'd work on that.

Otherwise, the other posters got it right. If not excessive, don't bother with cleanup.

 

[trooper894]

45 Lswc

You might also want to check your seating die and crimp die (if using separate die) for a build up of lube and lead. When I change tool heads for a new caliber on my Dillion 550B I clean out the dies, then keep and eye out for lube smears which indicates it's time to take a break and clean it out again. You might be surprised how much stuff gets built up in your dies.

 

[Maj Tom]

Do the finished rounds need to be buffed up a little? The lube or sealant, whatever it is, seems to get smeared around from handling, so I took a towel and wiped each one down, but I'm wondering if this is really necessary?

TIA

EAL

no

 

[LHB1]

Do the finished rounds need to be buffed up a little? The lube or sealant, whatever it is, seems to get smeared around from handling, so I took a towel and wiped each one down, but I'm wondering if this is really necessary? TI EAL

Necessary? Perhaps not but I wipe off each round of my pistol handloads (cast bullets) carefully before boxing them for firing. My son failed to do so recently and had a misfire which cost him points in his annual qualification shoot. Seems there was a dab of lube on bullet or case which caused a misfeed. Whether it is for target practice or for self defense, I want my ammunition to be as near perfect as possible. YMMV

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[LZHome]

I'm with the group that wipes away the excess lube. I don't get anal or anything but I want to ensure a good chamber. Also, that stuff is pretty dirty anyway so I hope my effort equals reduced cleanup.

Cleaning the seating/crimp die is pretty much a required activity when loading lead and don't forget to inspect and clean the case guage also.

 

[EAL]

I'm convinced, rounds should be wiped, at least a little to get off any specks of lube. The 3.5gr rounds that wouldn't chamber or eject were not wiped and I'm guessing this was the problem. I'm going to load up a few more 3.5gr rounds, make sure they're clean and try them again. If they work, then it must have been the excess lube.

Thanks to all that responded, your comments are very much appreciated.

EAL