Just started loading for this caliber with some old, used rcbs dies I bought a long time ago.
-I tumbled the brass in lizard litter walnut media and a bit of cabelas brass polish mixed in.
-sifted the media off, but did not wash or wipe cases
- I cleaned sizer with Boeing t-9, some que-tips , and patches. (this stuff is more of a metal preservative has a bit of wax in it, but I wiped with new patch)
-sized brass and it left a bunch of atriations on cases as well as a sort of humo you can barely make out.
-flared case enough to barely accept base of 158 grn plated bullet. Does this look like a proper amount of flare?
-I have some old blue dot powder from 1999. Should I risk using it? It's in original container, but it is western (wet) Washington.
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One case out of tumbler, no sizing.
One case sized (striations and sizing hump visible).
One case sized and flared.
I am thinking I need to clean the die with a solvent ?
I hope I don't have to clean off all the brass?