How To Clean Your Reloading Equipment

The dies you use in your reloading equipment are often the most expensive, and most important, piece of equipment in your entire setup. If used, and taken care of, properly, you should expect to have many years of reloading service from your dies. As if most often the case, dies are treated at the factory with a rust preventative, as well as being hardened and micro-polished before the find their place in your shop. However, proper cleaning starts on the day you receive them.

Before adding to your press

Before you begin to implement the new dies into your existing equipment, it’s important to thoroughly clean them first. However, the same cleaning process should be used as frequently as you reload. It’s important to note that the dies, and their components tend to be extremely small; great care and attention should be given to ensure they are in working order when you are done.

Step 1

Remove the decapping assembly out of the die body. Using a good degreaser (one intended to be used on reloading equipment), flush the entire cavity of the decapping assembly. One you have flushed, gently wipe the expander ball clean. Keep in mind that the only portion of this assembly the comes in contact with the brass if the expander ball and decapping pin. Therefore, once you have finished cleaning this portion, inspect these areas for burrs.

Step 2

Flush the die body with the same degreaser. Then, using a pistol cleaning rod, slide some wet patches through the die followed by several dry patches. Once the die body is sufficiently dry, it is time to reassemble the die.

Step 3

Now it is time to take about the seater. Most standard seaters only require a small turn of the seating stem to bring it out of the dies body. However, there are some more complicated dies on the market. The main goal in taking this portion apart is to give extreme attention to how the spring is oriented, as well as how the chamber sleeves and seater plugs are oriented.

To clean this portion, simply flush with the degreaser. Use more patches to lightly coat oil on any springs and threads. Also, make sure there is no debris in the opening of the seating stem. If there is, use a small patch to clean it out.

Cleaning Frequency

How often you clean your dies is going to depend on how often you reload and how many rounds you do at a time. If you are one that loads thousands of rounds at a time, you will need to clean your dies every 500-1,000 rounds. If you are one the hand-loads a few at a time, yet loads every day, cleaning your dies weekly may be in order, depending on how you store the dies.

If you occasionally reload, one item that needs to be on your mind is proper storage of your dies. If they will be stored for long periods of time, it is imperative that you coat them in a light oil or other rust preventative, especially if you are in a humid environment.

If your reloading shop is in the same room as your wood working area, or other parts of your home that collects tons of dust, ensure your dies, and other important equipment, are covered and stored away from the dust.

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