Imperial Sizing Wax vs LEE Resizing Lubricant

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smovlov

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When I first started loading rifle I picked up a tin of Imperial Resizing Wax. I mainly used that even though I had the LEE lube.

Recently while sizing about 200 cases I switched back to the LEE lube and found that it made the sizing MUCH easier. There was such a difference it felt as though I wasn't sizing the case at all. It lowered the amount of force needed to get a full size. I noticed the sizing of the cases to be more consistent.

I put 50 cases in a block and lubed every other one. I found that this only works while the lube is wet. If it is allowed to dry you will have a tough time sizing the non lubed case and more than likely that case will stick. :cuss: If you allow the lube to dry you must lube each case.

I'm not saying the Imperial does not have a place but for sizing rifle brass shot in my guns (not machine gun brass) I'll stick with the LEE for now.
 
I've never had a need for any other case lube but Lee lube. I'm sure Imperial resizing wax is very useful in certain applications, but the Lee lube is all I use.


NCsmitty
 
I've used Lee Case Lube and later picked up some Imperial since there where a lot of people who like it. I find the Imperial is superior and makes sizing easier on larger cases.
 
Like most Lee items, cost less works fine. I keep it, the Imperial, and the Hornady wax in a can as well. I use it out of the tube, never cared for spraying cases...

Russellc
 
I also use the LEE lube, mixed with 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol.
use it on pistol, and rifle cases. It's powder safe, so no worries if you don't clean it off, but I feel I can tumble it off and not affect any future casings.
Great stuff, and I'll probably stick with it.
 
Im pretty much of the same opinion as Smovlov. Ive been processing a bunch of once fired 762 brass, purchased bulk. Don't know what it was fired in. Imperial is out of the question- too slow to apply and far too much effort to resize , BTW, very high effort on WSMs and Ruger 375s. Mink oil is MUCH better. With the large #s of 762 cases, I deprime first then place a hundred or so in a gallon freezer bag wit a couple of dozen 1" squares of paper towels; or 1 1/' cleaning patches. I put about a teaspoon of Lee lube in the bag and add about an ounce give or take a bit of 90% isopropyl alcohol. Shake rattle and roll a minute or two and pull the cases out, refill the bag w/ cases and repeat. You can get 3-400 cases lubed this way in less than 5 minutes. The primer pockets and inside necks are also lubed. I swage out the primer crimps and expand the necks separately and this really makes the job easier. I can resize as soon as I pull the cases out of the bag wet or let them dry, Theres a small increase in effort with the dry cases, but they are still easier than those w/ imperial.
 
Imperial is awesome stuff. For those that say it's slow and need to process brass In bulk, try this.

Take a large ziplock bag and fill it with brass. 100-200-300 pieces, whatever.

Take a small dab and and place it in the palm of your hand.

Kneed the brass inside the bag.

voilà!

Brass is done in a minute or so.
 
I use Lee resizing lube. I mix 2oz tubes into 14oz of rubbing alcohol. Makes it last a lot longer. Just make sure you shake it a second before you use it because it will separate.
 
The last time I reloaded some 223, I was playing around with different lubes, (just started loading 223), I had sprayed some cases with a Lee/alcohol mix, they where doing ok while resizing, stuck some in an plastic ammo case, upside down, sprayed 'em again, started sizing while they were still a bit wet, WOW, much easier. Pretty much every thing I've read says to wait till dry...IDK
 
I used lee and was happy. then I got some hornady unique on sale at midway and wow do rifle cases resize easier now. I don't know if I am just more liberal with the unique or what, but it sure works better for me. I've never been able to get one shot to work for me though.
 
NCsmitty said:
I've never had a need for any other case lube but Lee lube. I'm sure Imperial resizing wax is very useful in certain applications, but the Lee lube is all I use.


NCsmitty
Click to expand...
I've always used the RCBS goop for twenty odd years. Just like the Lee stuff no doubt, never had a stuck case (knock on wood). If it aint broke dont fix it.
 
It appears that the ratio that herrwalther suggested of 2 ozs. of Lee Lube to 14 ozs. of rubbing alcohol is the most economical. Is there a ratio that is optimal... neither to much or too little?

After the mix dries on the case is there a possibility of too much of it causing shoulder dents?
 
I now use Dillon case lube, but I also used Lee for quite some time and never had any issues what so ever. I've never stuck a case, but then again, I've always lubed every case, as that is the recommended method.

GS
 
I've always used a very small amount of straight Lee lubricant on a pad for pistol cases. For .223 cases, should I continue with the same procedure or is it best to dilute it with alcohol and continue using the pad or dilute it and spray it on? My concern with spraying is that I've read that the case shoulder should not be lubricated and I don't know how to avoid that if spraying. Any thoughts?
 
I use the Lee. Used to mix it with alcohol and now just mix with water. Spray it on. Actually I usually end up getting a paper towel damp with it and then slide each piece of brass through the paper towel. Then blow dry with my ol ladys blow dryer. If you let them dry, you wont/cant get those sizing dents that can be so annoying.

You can douse the shoulders with the Lee stuff, as long as you make sure its dry before you size. Also, you can come back two days later or whatever and finish, the lube stays on.

(I do try to avoid "dousing")
 
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I have used more than a half dozed lubes and now I use nothing but Imperial Sizing Wax for everything. No wait, i do use Hornady One Shot on pistol brass. even though it's really not needed when using Carbide dies it just makes things easier...
 
I use LEE and Imperial Sizing Wax. I apply both with a finger tip for .308, 30-06 and .223. I feel like the Imperial goes a lot further for the same amount applied, but both get the job done.

Right now I only load on a single stage. When I move to loading .223 on a progressive I will switch to a more "bulk oriented" method.
 
I used the Lee for a number of years, good stuff. But it required to much time cleaning it off before tumbling, other wise my media would get ruined fairly quickly. Now days, and for the last decade or so I've been using Dillon spray on and just love it. It doesn't ruin my media, and my cases always go in and out smooth as silk.

To each his own.

GS
 
I'm with FMJBT. I resize all my bottle neck cases with Imperial Wax from .223 to 300RUM. I usually fill a ziplock freezer bag with 200 or so .223 or .308 cases and kneed the brass with Imperial Wax applied to my hands. For my larger cases like 7mm REM, .300WM, and .300RUM I will apply a thin coat to my palm, and apply it to 5 cases at a time. I also use the Imperial Dry lube inside the neck on every 5th case. This really helps sizing the cases with ease. All my shoulders bump back an even .002", and very uniform.
 
I've used Imperial off and on for years with rifle calibres and always had great results. Almost all of my loading is for handgun cartridges with carbide dies. I don't make much use of lube for resizing and have never used with the Lee product.
 
Over the years I've used everything from 3-in-1 to ink pad lubes to spray lubes. I have had my share of stuck cases. Since I started using Imperial Sizing wax, I've NEVER had a stuck case. For RIFLE CASES, Imperial is the best. I use One-Shot aerosol lube for pistol cases on my AP press using carbide dies.:)
 
For those of you using Imperial, what is your preferred method of application? Do you apply it directly to the cases with your fingers, apply it to a pad and roll the cases on the pad or roll the cases on a pad with the lubricant on your fingers? Also, if you then tumble the cases to remove the lubricant, does it really shorten the life of your tumbling media by getting it all gooey?
 
I keep the can open and run my index finger over the lube. I pick up the case and apply it then. I relube my fingers every third case or so.

I don't have a tumbler. I just wipe them down with a rag.
 
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