greaseswabber
Inactive
I am starting to reload 357 mag. Previously I have reloaded for 270 win. I have some mixed head stamp brass cases, as well as some nickel plated cases. This is range brass. I have two RCBS 38/357 resizing dies that I purchased used from a local shop, for almost nothing. They are not carbide dies. I cleaned the dies as I would a barrel bore. I am using Hornady Unique case lube.
I have tried sizing both the brass and nickel-plated cases in both dies. The brass requires some effort and makes a slight squeaking noise going in to the die. They come out with light scratches along the length. The nickel-plated cases require significant effort to go in to the die. There is a loud squeaking noise and the travel is jerky, not smooth. They are almost as difficult to remove. They are scratched as well.
When I say significant, I mean I need to stand up and lean on the press to go through the entire stroke. I don't need to do that when FL sizing 270 brass.
I haven't stuck a case yet, and would like to avoid that. I don't want to damage the dies, but maybe they are no good to begin with.
Questions: Is this in any way normal? Am I lubing the cases incorrectly, or insufficiently (thin layer of Unique all the way around)? Would polishing the dies help? Am I damaging the dies? Should i just get new, carbide dies and be done with it? Am I missing the root cause?
Thanks in advance. I have been reading this forum for a while, and garnered much useful information.
I have tried sizing both the brass and nickel-plated cases in both dies. The brass requires some effort and makes a slight squeaking noise going in to the die. They come out with light scratches along the length. The nickel-plated cases require significant effort to go in to the die. There is a loud squeaking noise and the travel is jerky, not smooth. They are almost as difficult to remove. They are scratched as well.
When I say significant, I mean I need to stand up and lean on the press to go through the entire stroke. I don't need to do that when FL sizing 270 brass.
I haven't stuck a case yet, and would like to avoid that. I don't want to damage the dies, but maybe they are no good to begin with.
Questions: Is this in any way normal? Am I lubing the cases incorrectly, or insufficiently (thin layer of Unique all the way around)? Would polishing the dies help? Am I damaging the dies? Should i just get new, carbide dies and be done with it? Am I missing the root cause?
Thanks in advance. I have been reading this forum for a while, and garnered much useful information.