Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-14-2010, 03:54 PM
PDL's Avatar
PDL PDL is offline
US Veteran
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 314
Liked 75 Times in 33 Posts
Default Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.

I just started reloading .45/70s. All my pistol dies are carbide, cause I don't want to be bothered with case lube. Didn't have a choice on the rifle dies.
Last time I had to use lube for reloading was 20+ years ago, so I figured I'd try the spray lubes. Got a bottle of Cabela's lanolin and alcohol lube. Directions aren't particularly informative. Shake, spray, agitate, spray and reload. Not!!, thankfully I had an old case lube pad from 20 years ago with lube still on it.
So did I screw up by not soaking the brass in the spray lube, or is there something better than the Cabela's version.
In other words, for anyone who uses the lanolin/alcohol mix, how much of the stuff do you apply to the cases?
Thanks.
__________________
Pete.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-14-2010, 05:40 PM
Harrison Harrison is offline
US Veteran
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 8,743
Liked 1,813 Times in 797 Posts
Default

For Rifle, I use Imperial Case Sizing Wax (Redding puts it out). Sinclair carries it and so does Midway. A tin the size of a shoe polish tin cost just under $6.00 and will last you the rest of your life. It goes on real easy and comes off easy. A little goes a long way and it is not messy. Its great stuff, and is about the only thing the benchrest crowd will use.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-14-2010, 05:50 PM
kscardsfan kscardsfan is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 829
Likes: 87
Liked 43 Times in 22 Posts
Default

I like the Hornady one-shot areosol lube myself. Works great on cases and you don't have to clean it off and jack with it after you apply it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-14-2010, 06:15 PM
ajpelz ajpelz is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Desert of AZ
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times in 5 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kscardsfan View Post
I like the Hornady one-shot areosol lube myself. Works great on cases and you don't have to clean it off and jack with it after you apply it.
This is what I use also.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-14-2010, 06:27 PM
Dragon88 Dragon88 is offline
Member
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 107
Liked 456 Times in 205 Posts
Default

I like Unique case lube. I have tried the Hornady spray lube, but it didn't work well for me. Didn't seem to lube well, and it didn't last long on the cases after being sprayed.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-14-2010, 07:10 PM
NE450No2 NE450No2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 7
Liked 469 Times in 278 Posts
Default

For rifle resizing Imperial Sizing Die Wax is the best I have used. It is not sticky, and you can wipe it off with a paper towel or a rag.

It is now marketed by Redding. It is Redding green in color now, but it is the same stuff.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-14-2010, 07:14 PM
505Gibbs's Avatar
505Gibbs 505Gibbs is offline
Member
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Suburban Deeeetroit
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 67
Liked 1,371 Times in 665 Posts
Default

Another vote for Imperial!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-14-2010, 07:50 PM
kscardsfan kscardsfan is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 829
Likes: 87
Liked 43 Times in 22 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragon88 View Post
I like Unique case lube. I have tried the Hornady spray lube, but it didn't work well for me. Didn't seem to lube well, and it didn't last long on the cases after being sprayed.
How much did you put on it? I went with a pretty liberal coating of it on all my cases and haven't had any problems yet. It won't work for severe reforming operations (like converting .30-06 brass into 8mm Gibbs cases) but for regular reloading duty it seemed to do just fine.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-14-2010, 08:04 PM
Jellybean Jellybean is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 6
Liked 351 Times in 243 Posts
Default

I didn't care for the Hornady One Shot either and went back to the old lube pad. I am very picky about my rifle ammo and don't mind the extra attention I have to give them.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-14-2010, 08:58 PM
Beemer-mark Beemer-mark is offline
Member
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 172
Liked 671 Times in 309 Posts
Default

I've used a number of spray on lubes and they work great for the smaller cartridges like 30-30, 30-06, etc. They don't work on my 45-70 cases. I have to use the lube pad to keep the 45-70 cases from sticking. Don't use too much or you'll get dents in the cases.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 06-14-2010, 09:30 PM
PDL's Avatar
PDL PDL is offline
US Veteran
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 314
Liked 75 Times in 33 Posts
Default

Guys,
Thanks for all the quick responses. i'll be checking them out more tommorow. I've got to go on Thursday to the range and won't be reloading till after that. I had enough old lube to work for the rounds I was building.
I was working up some rounds to check whats best in my gun, and won't do bulk till after shooting those I've made up.

Probably have a couple of questions tomorrow for sure.

Thanks again.
__________________
Pete.

Last edited by PDL; 06-14-2010 at 09:32 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 06-14-2010, 11:05 PM
Dragon88 Dragon88 is offline
Member
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 107
Liked 456 Times in 205 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kscardsfan View Post
How much did you put on it? I went with a pretty liberal coating of it on all my cases and haven't had any problems yet. It won't work for severe reforming operations (like converting .30-06 brass into 8mm Gibbs cases) but for regular reloading duty it seemed to do just fine.
What I do is put the cases in a small plastic bag, spray a few seconds worth of the lube into the bag, and role them around. Then I stand them up in a pan and try to size. The first three or four work ok, but subsequent cases get harder and harder as if the lube is drying up. How do you do it?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 06-14-2010, 11:37 PM
kscardsfan kscardsfan is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 829
Likes: 87
Liked 43 Times in 22 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragon88 View Post
What I do is put the cases in a small plastic bag, spray a few seconds worth of the lube into the bag, and role them around. Then I stand them up in a pan and try to size. The first three or four work ok, but subsequent cases get harder and harder as if the lube is drying up. How do you do it?
Your method sounds cleaner, but I set all mine in a loading block and try to spray them from both sides and give them a few seconds to dry up before I start them into the dies. Sinclair sells a dedicated spray lube loading block that lets you work from both sides. I'm too cheap and just spray them from both sides. Heck I even use it as neck lube. Again I just let it dry some before I start running them into the sizer.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 06-15-2010, 04:10 PM
robocop10mm robocop10mm is offline
Absent Comrade
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I use the Midway Minute Lube most of the time. .223 up to .45-70. I roll them on the RCBS lube pad to evenly coat them. Few problems. If a case feels sticky, I switch to Rig Lube +P stainless steel grease. That stuff is GREAT!!!
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 06-15-2010, 04:20 PM
firearmsunlimited's Avatar
firearmsunlimited firearmsunlimited is offline
Member
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 2
Liked 128 Times in 44 Posts
Default

+1 for Imperial. You'll probably only need one can for a life time. You are less likely to cause lube dents as with the other thick lubes.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 06-15-2010, 07:42 PM
H Richard's Avatar
H Richard H Richard is offline
US Veteran
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,758
Likes: 18,437
Liked 22,313 Times in 8,245 Posts
Default

Another vote for Imperial. The only time I ever stuck a case in a die was with Hornady one shot in a Hornady new dimension die.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 06-15-2010, 08:38 PM
PDL's Avatar
PDL PDL is offline
US Veteran
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 314
Liked 75 Times in 33 Posts
Default

Ok, seems like we're getting a pretty consistant recomendation for Imperial. Also the product reports I've read all go along with what's been said here.
Is it strickly manually applied, or does it also work on a lube pad?
__________________
Pete.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 06-16-2010, 08:28 AM
James57 James57 is offline
Member
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 107
Likes: 3
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

I have used Imperial wax for rifle and pistol resizing for at least 20 years now. It makes sizing very smooth and easy without dents. I use for case forming old 30-06 military cases to 8x57mm mauser. I apply it manually with my fingers and take it off with an old used bath towel. Works great. James
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 06-16-2010, 09:45 AM
505Gibbs's Avatar
505Gibbs 505Gibbs is offline
Member
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Suburban Deeeetroit
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 67
Liked 1,371 Times in 665 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PDL View Post
Ok, seems like we're getting a pretty consistant recomendation for Imperial. Also the product reports I've read all go along with what's been said here.
Is it strickly manually applied, or does it also work on a lube pad?
I believe the manufacturer states to apply with finger. Have no idea if it would work on a lube pad.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 06-16-2010, 10:46 PM
PDL's Avatar
PDL PDL is offline
US Veteran
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 314
Liked 75 Times in 33 Posts
Default

Can ordered from Midway.

Thanks all.
__________________
Pete.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 06-17-2010, 02:07 AM
Steve C Steve C is offline
Member
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 727
Likes: 1
Liked 133 Times in 93 Posts
Default

I like the Imperial for rifle cartridges the best but have used spray lube too. The trick with spray lube is to make sure its well mixed by shaking the bottle, squirt the cases, on both sides and then let the alcohol evaporate off leaving the lube on the case.

FWIW I use a shoe box lid and put a folded up piece of newspaper in it that fits the lid. Lay the cases in a row and spray one side then roll the row of case a little to catch the other side. Let sit for 5 minutes to evaporate the alcohol and then get to sizing.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 06-17-2010, 10:20 PM
PDL's Avatar
PDL PDL is offline
US Veteran
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 314
Liked 75 Times in 33 Posts
Default

I'll give the spray a small second chance and soak them since I'm not going there again. First case sticking, the experiment's over, and I'm only doing this till the wax comes in.

Oh, FYI, With the 23 year old lube pad and lube that was put on back then from an RCBS kit , the 20 rounds I loaded worked just fine.
__________________
Pete.

Last edited by PDL; 06-17-2010 at 10:22 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 06-18-2010, 08:30 AM
Centenniel Centenniel is offline
Member
Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies. Case Lube - non-carbide rifle dies.  
Join Date: May 2004
Location: South Eastern TN USA
Posts: 736
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 8 Posts
Default

Imperial Sizing Die Wax.
__________________
195th Session FBINA
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
223, hornady, military, rcbs

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Lube straight wall cases in carbide dies? wrangler5 Reloading 41 04-29-2016 04:35 PM
Carbide dies - Lube casings, or not? radtuck Reloading 32 08-24-2012 08:04 PM
no carbide rifle dies? MWAG Reloading 12 12-22-2009 12:52 PM
Carbide dies + no lube? alphabrace Reloading 30 06-17-2009 05:35 PM
Using lube with carbide dies? catdad Reloading 23 03-13-2009 08:15 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:08 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)