I've read all the topics on the subject and started reloading last month without lube as all my dies are Hornady custom grade, but today I tried lanolin just to see for myself.

Made reloading 9mm so much easier with less than half the effort when resizing, and the press was super smooth. I'm hooked.

I lube all cases I reload....it saves wear and tear on the arm. Hornady sells a product called One-Shot which is a very light lube in a pressure spray can. Great stuff and easy to apply. Don't over do it because your dies get lubed too.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

I’m also a fan of the Hornady OneShot. Sure makes it easier.

The only time I've needed to use lube with pistol brass is when I wet tumble pistol brass. Wet tumbling takes every bit of oil or lubricant off the cases and they tend to stick even with carbide dies. And they also stick to the expander die too when belling the case mouth. Now if I tumble them in my Lyman Turbo 1200 with the green Lyman media I have no problems.

I am glad you are pleased with your lanolin project. I went that route several years ago. I went to a health food store in town, bought a 4 oz. bottle of clear liquid lanolin (or can order it online), mixed with 100% alcohol. I don't remember what ratio. I think I did a middle of the road ratio off the internet. Use a dedicated gallon zip lock bag, throw about 2/3 full cases in, several shots through my mixed mister, seal up, mix them around a bit by hand, pour out and load on my Dillon. I use 100% Isopropyl alcohol but would not be afraid to use Heet.

Cleaning off lube is easy. Take a old bath towel, fold it in half, place 200 or so on half of towel, fold half over, rub a bit. Place in storage container.

I also use lanolin as a additive to my Ed's Red cleaner. I got this through a pharmacy in town. It is pharmaceutical lanolin with the solids. Works great. I make it by the gallon.

I clean my cases initially with LSD treatment to get dirt off. Then corn cob with Nu Finish added.

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Steve
The Lounge Rant Master

I use OneShot & like it too. I generally only use it on revolver cases as they seem to benefit from it more than short auto pistol cases, even though I use carbide sizers.

I media tumble after sizing so all the lube gets removed.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

In theory you don't NEED case lube with carbide dies but I also discovered a little lube makes it sooooo much easier...And I'm all about EASY !

Lee case lube, a dry wax , mixed with alcohol and sprayed on isn't messy and can just be wiped off after sizing .
Gary

That makes sense. I wet tumble all my brass.


I found the ratio of lanolin to Heet (1:8), that most use on the net, is almost too much. I reduced that ratio down to 1/4oz lanolin to 4oz Heet (1:16) and it works just as well.

I have to agree with muddocktor. I don't load any rifle cartridges but do reload several straight wall pistol calibers. As long as they haven't been cleaned with stainless pins (or possibly a wet tumbler) sticking has never been an issue. I have purchased prepared cases before that have been tumbled with pins and they can be a real pain. They love to stick in the sizer and when the mouth is belled. Even the little 9mm can be a real pain. On the other hand, cases run through walnut media with a splash of Nu Finish just fly right through with no sticking issues at all. And there's no clean up or contamination to worry about. Any more if I'm buying brass I steer clear of anything that's been "cleaned". I'd much rather buy fired cases and clean them myself. Cleaning with pins probably works pretty well with rifle calibers since they need to be lubed regardless.

Me too. I use "lizard litter with nu-finish" then to the Dillons. No Problems.

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S&W Accumulator

Although I don't have any big and /or hard to reload handgun cartridges, and always use carbide dies, I tried a spritz on one shot on my bin of brass a few years back and was amazed at how it slicked things up. I still use the one shot for convenience but have also brewed up some Lanolin/Heat lube for testing.

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Dave

They say carbide dies don't need lube. However, it helps tremendously.
I'll use WD-40 if its what I have. it's headed back to the tumbler after sizing anyhow

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it just needs more voltage