88
by JamesRiley
My mistake was in thinking that I need not do any re-sizing or expansion steps with new brass. I had 200 rounds of new and 122 of once-fired. I started with the new, primed them, put in the powder and the bullet, and shaved a little lead off. Then I get to the once-fired brass and re-read the Lyman Manual, and the part about the two-step bell for straight-sided cases. I am doing that now on my once-fired brass and I'm eager to see how the bullets load. However, I guess I should also bell brand-new brass before loading it? I'm-a-larnin'.
Quick question: After all my reading, I had intended to clean all the lube off my sized brass before priming and powder. However, I'm using a spray lube that says it is not petroleum-based and won't hurt powder or primers. So, how crucial is it to clean it off? It's invisible to the eye and I can barely feel it. Maybe a slight "slick" or smoothness, but nothing I can perceive as interfering with chambering a round, or decreasing case capacity, or whatever.
Thanks.