So, I got my tiny bench built this weekend and am getting things set up. While I'm doing things around the house, I tend to let YouTube videos play. I caught a couple that talked about cleaning new dies before use. Is this recommended? It wasn't in the Lee die material nor either of the manuals I read. I assumed rifle dies would need cleaned at some point due to case lube, but do pistol dies need cleaned prior to use? I realize they are shipped with a rust prohibitor. If I clean this off, what's the best thing to use to keep the steel from rusting? I should note that I did wipe at the powder through expanding die insert as Lee instructed prior to installing the powder measure.
If it's necessary, what's the best thing to use to clean? The videos I caught suggested tubb in ng alcohol or mineral spirits/paint thinner. I have both. I've seen other forum posts here and elsewhere about using Break Kleen or gun cleaner. I have the latter but not the former. Would getting a gun cleaner inside the die get transferred to the case and begin corroding it, since it's formulated to removed lead, copper, etc. from barrels?
When working up a load, how many rounds per charge do you shoot? I'm about half an hour away from a range. So, I plan on loading several different charges, then seeing which one works best. Also, how many charges do you test at a time?
I think that's it for now. I'll probably make your heads hurt some more as I go along this new (to me) path! Despite it's size (2'x2' with a couple shelves in the back), the bench is doing well. I made a dummy round as I was setting things up on the press, which I had to redo because I failed to put the powder measure on first. Live and learn! Thanks in advance for any tips!
If it's necessary, what's the best thing to use to clean? The videos I caught suggested tubb in ng alcohol or mineral spirits/paint thinner. I have both. I've seen other forum posts here and elsewhere about using Break Kleen or gun cleaner. I have the latter but not the former. Would getting a gun cleaner inside the die get transferred to the case and begin corroding it, since it's formulated to removed lead, copper, etc. from barrels?
When working up a load, how many rounds per charge do you shoot? I'm about half an hour away from a range. So, I plan on loading several different charges, then seeing which one works best. Also, how many charges do you test at a time?
I think that's it for now. I'll probably make your heads hurt some more as I go along this new (to me) path! Despite it's size (2'x2' with a couple shelves in the back), the bench is doing well. I made a dummy round as I was setting things up on the press, which I had to redo because I failed to put the powder measure on first. Live and learn! Thanks in advance for any tips!