RCBS Dry Case Neck Lube For Lubing Handgun Brass ?

[geo57]

Since I started using carbide & titanium dies decades ago for handgun brass I've never had any need for any lube but since acquiring new Starline .45 Colt brass I'm thinking some on these may make things easier & smoother on me and my ancient Lee hand press. I know there are many products available both dry, spray, commercial & home made concoctions ( such as lanolin & alcohol ). Have any of you just used RCBS Dry Case Neck Lube as a case lube for handgun brass ? When doing 45-70 rifle years ago I used Lee lube that came in a tube but it's gone. If this RCBS neck lube would work it would be a cheap solution for like $3.

On doing a bit of research I read that some use spray cooking oils, dish soap, waxes...even ChapStick ! The latter's main ingredient is petroleum jelly and I'd like to avoid anything petroleum. I'd want nothing to have the possibility to degrade powder or primers.

[Rule3]

I have been using the LEE lube for many years. Diluted in rubbing alcohol maybe a 10% lube the rest alcohol in a little spritz bottle. Shake shake shake! it will settle out A tube will last years!

I spritz all my brass, even with carbide dies. No need to wipe it off it is water based

I sure wouldn't want to apply lube to each and every pieces of brass by had! But the RCBS should work fine


I will get the popcorn for a case lube thread!

[Eddietruett]

Even though I use carbide dies, I use Hornady One Shot Sprsy Lube on all my handgun brass. Put a 100 cases in a Tupperware bowl, spray lightly and shake and repeat a couple of times. Amazing how much easier it is on your arm, even on small cases like 9mm. An aerosol can lasts a long time. It dries clean and leaves no residue.

[smithra_66]

I like Redding imperial resizing wax. Just a tiny touch on the case will be enough if you're using carbide. The graphite seems a lot messier and I wouldn't want it to get into my gun's chambers.

[glowe]

I assume you are talking about exterior lube, not inside the neck? If so, I might recommend Ballistol spray for straight wall cases like 45 Colt. Ballistol is totally biodegradable and you will not have any residue on the fired case if used very lightly. This product is very popular barrel bore protectant for blackpowder muzzleloader rifles and muskets. Petroleum based oils will leave burnt residue in BP guns, but Ballistol will not.

I have used this product on the inside neck of 44-40 brass, since it is so prone to being crushed during bullet seating. Just use a Q-tip with Ballistol and swab each case before seating the bullet. It does help with this tricky caliber.

[Nevada Ed]

On my little 22-250 cases, I would run a nylon brush down the neck to remove any dust or residue, before I primed them,
that would let the bullet seat easier, later down the line.

A Q-tip with some lube, might be used before de-priming on the neck insides if I did not vibrate them.

However, I try not to get any type of lube, next to my powders.

[Warren Sear]

Originally Posted by smithra_66

I like Redding imperial resizing wax. Just a tiny touch on the case will be enough if you're using carbide. The graphite seems a lot messier and I wouldn't want it to get into my gun's chambers.

I learned about Imperial sizing wax on this forum many years ago. It works great. A very little goes a lonnnnnnng way. One tin will last years, and cleanup is easy.

[taz666]

I've used pain relieving liniment
The one I use has alcohol, camphor and spruce oil. I use a cotton ball to apply.

[lppd4]

Hornady one shot is the way to go

[colt_saa]

I have been using the Hornady One Shot for probably decades

A couple of quick spritzs into the jar of tumbled brass, then stir by hand and repeat when sizing pressure gets harder again

Dirty brass gets sorted into 5 gallon buckets then tumbled and put in the big jugs so it stays clean

[SGT ROCK 11B]

After getting RCBS carbide dies, 40+ years ago. I stopped lubing handgun brass.

[stu1ritter]

Using nothing but RCBS carbide dies and having shoulders that have worked under cars for 30 years, a little RCBS case lube on the first case thru the sizer, then wiped off and the next hundred go through the sizer with marked reduced effort. Really helps the olde shoulder when reloading a bunch.

Stu

[lppd4]

Originally Posted by stu1ritter

Using nothing but RCBS carbide dies and having shoulders that have worked under cars for 30 years, a little RCBS case lube on the first case thru the sizer, then wiped off and the next hundred go through the sizer with marked reduced effort. Really helps the olde shoulder when reloading a bunch.

Stu

That's what Hornady one shot will do and its easier to apply. Makes working the brass much easier. Sizes nickel plated brass as easily as brass cases. i would use it even with carbide dies for ease of operation.

[rockquarry]

I don't use lube since carbide sizing dies became available, but I tumble fired brass at least briefly to remove any dirt particles that could scratch the inside of a die.

If you lube cases prior to sizing (even with a carbide die), use anything you have handy and a very light coating is all you need. If it's a greasy petroleum product, that's fine. Just tumble the cases again, long enough to remove all traces of lube.

I've used Vaseline as a case lubricant; it works fine, as does Vick's Vap-O-Rub, my first case lube when I began handloading in 1965.

[twodog max]

I started using carbide dies 40 years or more ago to not have to use case lube and I still see no need to start using it. If my arthritic shoulder can bear the strain I figure the dies can.

[glenwolde]

I've never tried that but I don't see any reason for it to be a problem.

I only use lube on handgun cases with carbide dies in limited situations. For example it makes operation of my Dillion a lot smoother with the big .40+ caliber magnum cases.

It's not absolutely necessary, but makes life a little easier. Sometimes I like to relive the old days and use steel dies.

Hornady's One Shot is economical, fast, and disappears on its own.