A Better Way to Lube?

[fmnnc]

I've been using the Lee lube for my rifle cases and applying it by hand. I've seen the "pad" available from RCBS where you apply the lube to the pad and then roll the case on it. Seems like this would be an easier way (less messy) to apply the lube as well as more cost effective.

Is this the preferred method used by most? What is that "pad" from RCBS made of? Is there a substitute material (mouse pad?) that could be used?

Thanks

 

[brasskeeper]

I have always used a lube pad and I dont see any reason to switch now. They make aerosol cans of spray lube but I think it costs more.

 

[fmnnc]

What is that "pad" from RCBS made of? Is there a substitute material (mouse pad?) that could be used?

 

[scrat]

or do what i do. i still use hornaday one shot lube.

Put a good handfull in a baggie. spray in the lube. close the baggie. roll them all around in the bag. then remove one at a time as i go.
havent had a stuck case yet. OH i still shoot a burst of lube up the die. Every 10 or so rounds. and yes im loading rifle

 

[cpttango30]

I have been using the Hornady one shot but I have had better luck with MidwayUSA Frankfort Arsnal spray lube. ot sure what the differance is but it seams to work better.

There is also Imperial Sizing wax that I hear a lot of people using.

I take the 50 cases I am reloading and put them in a comindeared baking sheet and spray them then roll them and spray them again. Or I will put them in a tray that is out of a box of factory ammo and spray them from all four sides then give then a shot from the top.

 

[scrat]

try the baggies

 

[nitesite]

Since I don't load vast quantities of rifle ammo in one sitting, my vote is for Imperial Sizing Wax.

If I were using a progressive I would certainly use another product.

 

[strat81]

Imperial Sizing Wax! I get some on my thumb, index, and middle fingers and swirl the case in between them. It is not messy, has the consistency of chap stick, and wipes off with a plain rag.

 

[sargenv]

I probably load or at least process my brass in larger batches. I recently picked up the setup for processing 223 brass on my Dillon 650 with the feed bin. I use the Dillon spray lube which is lanolin based in n alcohol solution. Alcohol evaporates off leaving just the lanolin on the cases. I spray a few blasts into the bucket of brass, swirl it around and hit it with one or two more puffs then load it into the case feed hopper and away I go. I have a small base die with a decapping pin in station 1, and the Dillon case trimmer in station 4. I run as much of it as I can through the press this way. I managed to run about 3k in about 4 hours before hitting a rock within a case and snapping the decapping pin.. whoa as me without a spare.

Since I could no longer decap and trim cases, I ran about 3 batches of the lubed and semi processed cases through my tumbler to get the lube off and then proceeded to run the sized and deprimed brass through my Dillon primer pocket swager. I run between 300 and 400 rounds per hour through that culling any brass that might not have gone through the sizing setup above.. I then package it into 6 pound lots (approx 450 each) of ready to load cases in containers that were given to me by friends that at one time contained those disifectant wipes from Costco. So far I've processed 6 "cans" of these (~2700 pieces) and now they sit ready to load.

I opted not to chamfer the brass since I will be using 55 fmjbt's. If I were to be using flat based bullets, I'd probably chamfer them while I was watching TV.

If I were to do something like 100 pieces of 308 Win, I'd probably still use the Dillon case lube since it's just faster and just as effective. I used to roll them on a pad and at the time I used RCBS case lube. It was slow but worked well enough, I never had a stuck case.

 

[stubbicatt]

I've posted this before, and I use this exclusively anymore.

Take two tubes of Lee lube, empty them into a 1 1/2 cup spray atomizer. Add a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water to the atomizer. Shake well. Your lube is ready.

Get you a ziplock freezer bag from the kitchen. Squirt 5 or 6 squirts of your lube into the bag. Add a couple handsful of brass, and roll 'em around so they are well coated. Empty on an old towel. Add a couple squirts to the bag, and more brass. Etc. The brass will dry in 10 to 15 minutes leaving a non tacky fully lubricated finish. Will not attract lint or dust or dirt or anything. You can lube 'em up, put your empties in kitty litter boxes, and they are ready to go whenever you are. Don't tarnish or anything.

That's the benefit of this method over sargenv. The lanolin will attract dirt and abrasives to ruin your dies. The Lee lube won't and can be left like that for many years, and will be ready to size whenever you are.

High speed, low drag.

 

[308win]

To answer the question about lube pads, go to an office supply store and get an un-inked stamp pad with a lid. I prefer the cloth type pad over the foam if you can find cloth. I have an old RCBS pad (cloth type) that I have had for 25+ years. I suppose you could wear one out but it would take a lot of rounds to do so. The new RCBS pads I have seen in the stores are foam. I use about one-half as much lube as the directions call for and have never had a stuck case. Don't use too much lube as it will build up in your dies and you will get dents in your case shoulders. Don't forget to lube the case necks - I touch the pad with my thumb and fore finger and apply the lube to the outside of the neck. I use a nylon neck brush to lube the inside of the neck - roll the brush over the pad every 5 or so cases.

 

[The Bushmaster]

RCBS lube and pad for the last 20 years...Works...Why would I change. I roll 5 to 6 cases at a time. One shot has proven to me that it will allow a stuck case now and then and I find it rather messy and uncontrolable. Too much over spray causing too much to enter the mouth of the case. I did find that One Shot makes a good squeek remover in my wife's rocking chair though...

 

[armoredman]

RCBS pad and Lee lube for case sizing -use One Shot for lubing bullets before sizing them.

 

[dodgestdshift]

I used to use a pad, but I could never keep it clean. Now I just use my fingers.

 

[BELTFEDJASON]

I use STP engine oil treatment and a 1 gallon zip top plastic bag. A little stp goes a long way. I dip a stick into the stp untill a teaspone is on the stick and wipe the inside of the bag with the stp. Then in goes 5-600 .223 cases or about 250 30-06. shake them around really good to coat them decap and resize them, throw them back into the tumbler for 1 hour and presto. Done!

 

[stubbicatt]

Using oil based lubes can have detrimental effects on your primers.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Probably foul the powder long before it will damage the primer, but I agree...

 

[aakoksal]

Nobody using RCBS Lube Die?

I've used it on a PiggyBack 2 for years...

 

[Steel Talon]

FWIW

This is what I do when I do bulk batches of .223

*pick up a spray bottle at the dollar store -> $1.00
*Automotive section/Wal-Mart-> Iso Heet (red bottle full strength Isoprophal alcohol) $1.30
*A tube of Lee lube $2.00

Take spray bottle and squeeze into it a 6 inch +/- length of Lee Lube. Pour in the Iso Heet. Shake vigourously to mix.

Pour brass into gallon zip lock add a few squirts of my "Ghetto" solution seal bag roll brass around. pour into open container (I line it with a blue shop towel and let air dry. Alcohol evaporates and leaves the Lee lube in place to dry. Ready to size when your ready to do it. In a few minutes or a few days.

Its a bit of simple trial and error until you get the right mix/coating to your likeing

Peace
Steel Talon

 

[fmnnc]

It appears that a few of you really like the Lee Lube/Alcohol/Water mixture. It sure makes sense. Think I'll give it a try.

Is this a great group or what!

Thanks again...

 

[Dallas Jack]

I don't load large quanities at a time so I use the RCBS pad and lube. Also I am not in a rush to finish.
Dallas Jack

 

[45auto]

One shot works well IMO.

Anybody ever try just silicon spray?

 

[Fatelvis]

Any kind of spray works for me. I'll never go back to the lube pad again.

 

[Bowfishrp]

Be careful with one shot. I like Hornady but there lube is not that great. I had a box of about 700 .223 cases and sprayed them down with one shot...more than one shot. I shoot the box up pretty good and sprayed them again with one shot. Did this a few times and started depriming....got about 50-100 done and had one get stuck in the die. After removing it i sprayed the box of brass done several more times and let it sit. A few days later I finished all the brass with no other problems other than they had a lot of lube on them. Dropped a couple and they were holding all kinds of dirt and media that was on the floor.

I still use it because it is fast, but I will be lubing more than normal. Fo my 308 cases I use Lee's lube the slow way.

I love the spray bottle idea with Lee lube so I will have to try that next!

 

[sargenv]

In my case, I use the Dillon stuff since it's what I had. I've since looked around the house and wife was making home made cosmetics and found that she has some lanolin sitting around.. so all I really need is IP Alcohol and the Lanolin and I have my own dillon lube. I don't worry so much about it colecting dust or dirt since I run it through right away and tumble the lube off usually within a day or two. I then package up the procesed brass like I said above.

Lately I've been using one shot on my pistol brass. I know, you don't NEED to lube pistol cases with carbide dies, but boy does it go through the press with no effort when you do. After having loaded 40 S&W's with and without case lube, I can tell you that I'm always using it from here on out. The good thing about one shot, is that it is not sticky like the Dillon lube is.