What do YOU use for case lube?
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JeffG
Member
I tried several case lubes after I started looking in forums (2008?). I worked for a Water and Power dept and had access to wire puling lube (utility trucks kept 5 gal. buckets handy), Caterpillar Boom Spray, a dry spray on lube and a couple commercial lubes. I was in a drug store in the shoe polish dept and picked up a tin of Mink Oil Boot Dressing cream and have almost used this exclusively for 18+ years. Just a dab on my fingers of my left hand and twisting a very light film on the case as I pick it up is all that is needed. Not one stuck case (.223/5.56. 30-30, 308, 303 British, 6.5x57, 7.62x39, 7.62x54r and occasionally .44 Magnum when I'm going "retro" with a Lee Loader). Not overly messy, easy to wipe off cases, and leaves my hand soft and smooth...
Mel1776
Member
Hornady One Shot. I read and follow the label instructions. Never had a stuck case.
In reality most of the case lubes I've used worked fine. Some have +'s some -'s. STP, Bag Balm, Vaseline, Pam, Lee, Dillon, One Shot (but you have to let it dry). I've even accumulated the last ounces of motor oil by holding the bottles upside down in a jar and that works fine as well. The important point with the finger applied lubes is that a uniform spread is more important than the amount of lube you use. A nearly dry but complete coating is better than a big gob at the top of the case. It does not flow down as the case gets pushed through the die. You only wind up with stuck cases and/or dented shoulders.
The Dillon/IPA-Lanolin works well for a batch spray lube, but the cases end up sticky afterwards and need to be cleaned off.
I've heard mink oil and wire pulling lube are good too, but I have so many lubes that I have no desire to pay for any more.
The Dillon/IPA-Lanolin works well for a batch spray lube, but the cases end up sticky afterwards and need to be cleaned off.
I've heard mink oil and wire pulling lube are good too, but I have so many lubes that I have no desire to pay for any more.
Hornady Unique
I picked up at tub at Academy for $3.99 (plus tax). I have used it to lubricate more than 2,000 cases so far and you can hardly tell I've used any at all. It tumbles off easily in dry media and leaves no perceptible residue.
I have also used the Lee "toothpaste tube" lubricant, and I still use it when I am just neck resizing since it is easier to get the tiny amounts needed for neck resizing from the tube rather than the tub, but mostly, it's Hornady Unique.
Good point!
On the Hornady Unique package they say, "A little goes a long way" and they mean it.
It took me a little while to get comfortable with how little was needed and develop a touch to not get too much on. Now that I've gotten that touch worked out, once I get the lubricant evenly spread on my thumb, index and middle finger, just picking the case up with those three fingers is all that is required.
Demi-human
maybe likes firearms a little bit…
I would also like to suggest Hornady One Shot. It comes premade and a can lasts for a good while. I also use it as a bullet lube when I seat them. Spray them in a plastic sandwich bag and agitate. Doing so makes seating bullets very smooth. I have some rounds put away to see if they are also protected from 'cold welding'.
After trying graphite for bullet lube, I have one pound of graphite minus an eighth of a teaspoon. As well as a tube of Lock-ease that my father found for me after the Amazon order arrived at the door. In addition I have a four inch shiny black stain on the floor of the reloading room. Apparently a little graphite also goes a long way. 8)
After trying graphite for bullet lube, I have one pound of graphite minus an eighth of a teaspoon. As well as a tube of Lock-ease that my father found for me after the Amazon order arrived at the door. In addition I have a four inch shiny black stain on the floor of the reloading room. Apparently a little graphite also goes a long way. 8)
bcurry
Member
+1 with much lower round count. Lifetime supply for me with one tin.
entropy
Member
I used the RCBS stuff you squeeze onto a pad, until Hornady One Shot came out.
Catpop
Member
Still using original 1971 2 oz. jar of Herters case lube. Never a stuck case! Haven't got a clue what's in it?
Gee I miss the old Herters, as a kid I loved that catalog and their products!
Gee I miss the old Herters, as a kid I loved that catalog and their products!
Currently, I use Imperial Sizing Wax or RCBS case lube for rifle. The RCBS lube on a pad goes a bit quicker for me but I prefer handling the Imperial. Either way, I lube only every third or fourth case depending on how the sizing process feels.
I have been working with lanolin/alcohol a bit but only on small case like 204 Ruger or 223 Remington. I have not shot much larger cartridges of late and my brief trials with lanolin/alchol have not been pleasurable. Needs more work.
I've been spraying larger hangun cases with lanolin/alcohol for sizing on a progressives. Greatly reduces sizing effort. I clean cases after sizing any way and prefer to hand prime so it works for me (oh the progressive press sacrilidge).
I never got the spray can One Shot to work on rifle cases but feel it is too expensive compared to other choices to fiddle with and make work.
I have been working with lanolin/alcohol a bit but only on small case like 204 Ruger or 223 Remington. I have not shot much larger cartridges of late and my brief trials with lanolin/alchol have not been pleasurable. Needs more work.
I've been spraying larger hangun cases with lanolin/alcohol for sizing on a progressives. Greatly reduces sizing effort. I clean cases after sizing any way and prefer to hand prime so it works for me (oh the progressive press sacrilidge).
I never got the spray can One Shot to work on rifle cases but feel it is too expensive compared to other choices to fiddle with and make work.
grandpawj
Member
Wow, never thought of using One Shot to lube bullets, think I will try it. I have always used One Shot to lube my large pistol brass (like the 45 Colt) and Imperial on Rifle brass. As others have said, "There are so many different combo's use what works for you."
Bush Pilot
Member
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I tried several case lubes after I started looking in forums (2008?). I worked for a Water and Power dept and had access to wire puling lube (utility trucks kept 5 gal. buckets handy), Caterpillar Boom Spray, a dry spray on lube and a couple commercial lubes. I was in a drug store in the shoe polish dept and picked up a tin of Mink Oil Boot Dressing cream and have almost used this exclusively for 18+ years. Just a dab on my fingers of my left hand and twisting a very light film on the case as I pick it up is all that is needed. Not one stuck case (.223/5.56. 30-30, 308, 303 British, 6.5x57, 7.62x39, 7.62x54r and occasionally .44 Magnum when I'm going "retro" with a Lee Loader). Not overly messy, easy to wipe off cases, and leaves my hand soft and smooth...
And leaving your left thumb and index fingers smelling like the scent glands of a rodent.
thomas15
Member
After much trial and error, for pistol I have settled on one-shot spray. Coat the inside of a zip lock bag, put brass in bag, shake then allow to dry. About 3 years ago my local Wal-Mart had cans of one-shot on sale for about $5.50 so I bought everything they had, 9 cans in total (plus the 1 can I already had). I handload roughly 8000 rounds/pistol per year and still have 8.5 cans left.
For rifle I have used mostly the old fashioned ink pad method but now I use Unique in the little tub. I have a couple of tubs so at the rate I use it will not have to replenish for a long time.
For rifle I have used mostly the old fashioned ink pad method but now I use Unique in the little tub. I have a couple of tubs so at the rate I use it will not have to replenish for a long time.
The Bushmaster
Member
Lanolin....
USSR
Member
Works fine with handgun brass using carbide dies. Here's the routine for using Hornady One Stuck with bottleneck rifle brass: Coat the inside of a zip lock bag, put brass in bag, shake then allow to dry. Go online and order a stuck case remover tool.
Don
I've also used this for decades. Virtually identical to Imperial but a fraction of the price.
No, it doesn't. Perhaps it depends upon the brand. I've been using the same tub of Kiwi brand for over 10 years. No odor on fingers.
(In fact, I doubt it actually has mink oil these days. Coca Cola doesn't have cocaine any more. Sometimes the name is just a name.)
It's worth a try, for those who might want to discover a new treasure.
I've used it occasionally over the years when I wanted to lube several hundred cases at a time.
If I want to lube one-by-one I use a wax product like the one I posted above, but large volume is more easily sprayed.
I found that the lubricant separates from the alcohol very rapidly (in a few seconds, not minutes).
If you keep it thoroughly mixed by shaking constantly as you spray, the lubricant stays suspended.
Otherwise you spray all the lube on the first few cases, and only alcohol on the rest. That's what sticks cases.
Your mileage may vary. It's a personal thing.
If it doesn't work for you, don't use it.
Those who make it work, remain happy.
thomas15
Member
I think it's because he is a certified NRA Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor. He has, to state it plainly, insights that many of us, including me, just don't have. Yes, that must be it.
Still using the Lee lube that came with my classic turret kit and apply one at a time with my fingers. Very slow but I can feel each piece of brass and check for anything irregular. I'm still open to using something quicker like a spray on product.
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