Case Lube

[MISSED]

What’s the most important thing in case resizing? Case lube! Overlook it or under-do it once and you’ll know why! A stuck-case remover is one of my very least favorite tools…

I have long used and recommended petroleum-based case lubes. More: I prefer those that are applied by hand, literally with the fingers, because I think it’s a better assurance that the right amount, to all the right places, will get laid down. I will quickly concede, though, that they are messy and slower than other methods.
imperial case lube
This is my favorite case lube. I took advice from Sgt. Norris after complaining how hard it was to get a good sizing pass on a Lake City .308. Sure enough. This made it easy. Been using it ever since. It’s not really wax. Use it like shoe polish: rub a little on your fingers and then rub it onto the case with a “gimme money” motion.

Spray-on-type lubes are very often used and recommended, especially by high-volume loaders because a good many cases can be treated and then even stored before use, so say the claims. I strongly suggest taking steps to prevent the lube from finding its way inside the case. A thin piece of cardboard placed atop the standing cases works well for this. There’s worry otherwise that the lube might affect the propellant. That does depend on the formulation, but I prefer the “no-chance” approach. I’m a “slow-down” sort of loader. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to save time or be as efficient as I can be, but I’ve just not found the speed advantage to spray-ons to overcome their performance. Sprays are not quite as “slick” as rub-ons.

Lanolin-based and wax-based alternatives also have their following. As do water-based lubes. The wax lubes indeed work and also clean up (off) easily, as does lanolin. I’ve not been a follower, though, because I find many to be more difficult to apply evenly and, one more time, just not quite as slick at petro-based products. Some of the wax-based lubes also make claim to “apply-now, use later.” I’m not sure what the appeal of that is, but there it is for those it appeals to. There are also a number of “proprietary” formulations out there now. I have not tried them all.
hornady case lube
Hornady pretty well has it covered: one for every opinion! Try them all! But I will wager you’ll like petro best… That’s the one in the bottle. Hornady claims their spray lube doesn’t contaminate powder, and that makes it applying it more straightforward.

A tip I picked up umpteen years ago by the man who got me started loading was to get an ink stamp pad (office-supply store variety) to apply roll-on type lubes. Indeed, that works way better than the industry pads I’ve tried.

Back to petroleum lubes: aside from providing smoother feel in sizing, which I have to believe also indicates “better” lubrication qualities, these don’t build up as much within tooling. I take apart my sizing die every now and again and swab it out, like I would a rifle chamber.

For best results, no matter which lube type you’re using, an even (thin) coating gives best results. With a good petro lube, it doesn’t take much. If you see any denting (usually in the case shoulder area), that resulted from hydraulic pressure and is a sign there was too much lube (too thick a coat). No worries, though: shoot the case and they’ll iron back out. Just use less lube next time!

Lubing the case neck inside is debated, but I favor it. However! Only very sparingly! That is why I really like the finger-applied lubes: just a little “wipe” across the case mouth eliminates the “gaunch” noice from the expander. I don’t use the graphite-applicators (the bin-and-brush types) because I haven’t noticed a whopping lot of difference in neck sizing with or without it.
forster lube
For best sizing results, I prefer the “rub-on” lubes. This one is from Forster. Never any worries about too much, too little, or complete coverage.

And, by the way, lube a case each pass through the die. This is important when setting up a sizing die where you might make a few passes with the same case. Don’t risk it! Stuck cases are total mood killer.

Clean the lube off the cases! There will be some now who will just roll their eyes, but I use denatured alcohol and a bath towel pour some on the towel, but the cases on the towel, fold the towel over the cases, and roll them around. Fast and simple! That works for petro-based. Others need more attention: just rub it away, or use detergent.

I do not recommend using a tumbler-type cleaner on loaded ammo!

Sho, there is a (slight) chance that a bullet tip might detonate a primer, but that’s not why. Why is because the propellant gets pulverized, and that, no doubt, will change its burn characteristic.
case cleanup
This is what I use to clean loaded rounds, along with the towel it’s sitting on. Lay out the towel, put down the rounds, pour some alcohol, fold the towel over the cases, and roll them around. Then hang the towel to dry for another use. Zero residue.

The reason to clean off the lube is because it lubricates, and that’s a bad thing on a live round. The case is supposed to stick tightly to the chamber when it expands under pressure. Any slip increases bolt thrust. I once saw a fellow douse a loaded 30-round magazineright down the middle with WD-40, to “make sure the bullets fed…” NO NO NO. Oil on a cartridge doubles bolt thrust!

Case lube is not a case cleaner!

Make sure the cases are clean prior to sizing. They don’t have to gleam, just be free from dirt and gritty dust. If you’re seeing a applicator pad, for instance, getting a dirty spot on it, well there’s your clue.

[aam]

Is that article Glen Zediker?

If I’m loading up to fifty cases I use Imperial wax, wonderful stuff.

Now when I have to load cases, one hundred or more, my lube technique changes.

One large zip lock bag, Lee lube. The amount I put in is about half the size of an almond. I dab the lube all around the bag. Then I get RCBS lube and put in two to three drops in the bag. Then bring the two sides together and rub to evenly coat the bag. Then put in fifteen to twenty five cases in the bag. Mix them up in the bag and they are all evenly coated.
Now the reason I put in RCBS lube in with the Lee lube is it makes it super slippery and it also stops the Lee lube from drying out. On top of that when it comes to cleaning up the cases the water based lube comes off really easy

[Seddo]

I only use sizing wax when i'm forming cases, for regular loading I am a Hornady one shot man. ie LAZY!

[MISSED]

Yes mate that is Glen Zediker.

Imperial for full length sizing case forming etc

Key graphite for neck sizing

[billsshed]

I too used One Shot. It is simple and it works but I think it is bloody expensive. I now use my own brew. I dilute my swage lube which is a 50:50 mix of pure lanolin/castor oil with shelite which is a very clean camping fuel. Put about two cups in a spray bottle and it will last thousands of rounds. Shelite quickly evaporates off and your case is lubed evenly. Just keeping it simple.
To the OP, nice write up.

Bill

[The Raven]

Yes mate that is Glen Zediker.

Imperial for full length sizing case forming etc

Key graphite for neck sizing

Interesting.

I use nothing for neck sizing but then again I use cheap Lee gear

FLS is something I going to have to do with some of my donated brass (some from macca, and some from other sources). Luckily, I bought Imperial some time ago.

[mistit]

I use bearing grease , have for 30 years and works for me

[Rabbitz]

I use bearing grease , have for 30 years and works for me

It's hard to argue with experience and success - but some will try...

[trevort]

Rcbs lube and lube pad


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kickinback]

WD 40 on a paper towel. Roll the case on the towel and away we go.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[mistit]

I use bearing grease , have for 30 years and works for me

It's hard to argue with experience and success - but some will try...

[The Raven]

I used Imperial for the first time yesterday. It worked really well!

[Camel]

I used Imperial for the first time yesterday. It worked really well!

I bet the pongo cheesecake wished he had used it when he got that case stuck.

[Teepee]

I use the one shot method as well.
Have tried other methods, but found this to be quick and easy.
Did try Inox once, LGS suggested this would work just as good and that everyone used it. After looking up how to remove a stuck case on google, and going through the process of getting said stuck case out of the die, I swore never to use this again.
Not a happy camper!!!

[Ned Kelly]

G'Day all,
I only use the Imperial for neck turning now, I've switched to the Hornady Unique lube for resizing, a little on your finger and thumb goes a looong way. Slicker than Imperial and wipes off beautifully.
Great stuff.
Cheers Ned