One Shot & Stuck Cases

[Hondo 60]

I said in another thread that I haven't had a stuck case issue with One Shot.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=618319

I wonder does the caliber being resized make a difference?

The only rifle caliber I reload is .223.
Perhaps it works well with that caliber & not others?
Or maybe it's just my technique.

If you've used Hornady One Shot & had a stuck case what caliber was it?

I think this could be an interesting thread.
Also might give Hornady some clue as to why there are stuck cases using their product.

 

[DILLONHELP]

While we don't keep track of calibers, we do receive more complaints of stuck cases where One Shot is used than with all other case lubes combined. That does not rule out improper use BTW.

 

[rcmodel]

IMO: People stick cases with spray lube of any brand for one of three reasons.

#1 They didn't let the solvent carrier dry fully after spraying.
#2 They sprayed with the heads of the cases setting down inside a loading block.
#3 They did both.

In the first, you are trying to size using alcohol or other solvent for lube.

In the second, the thickest & hardest to size part of the case isn't getting any lube on it.

I haven't used a lube pad in probably 20 years, and I haven't had a stuck case for longer then that.

But I spray a mixing bowl full of cases, hand stir, and spray again.
Then let them set for at least 10-15 minutes with additional stirring to allow the solvent to evaporate fully.
Then I wipe any excess lube off with my fingers, and make sure they all have lube all over them as I pick it up to size it.

rc

 

[ReloaderFred]

I'm with rc on this. I've been using spray lubes since they first came out and haven't had a stuck case in any caliber, including .45-120 Sharps, which is a 3.25" long case.

Most stuck cases are caused by not following the directions, mainly letting the cases set long enough for the carrier to dry and leave the wax behind. You just can't spray and size immediately, period.

I even use the spray lube (Winchester brand at the present time, since it was on closeout at Midway a couple of years ago) to swage bullets in my C-H Swaging Dies. That puts much more stress on the lube than case sizing does.

Stuck cases aren't the fault of the lube, at least in my experience.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[rcmodel]

I might add that I think One-Shot gets such a bad rap because they probably sell 10 times more of it to new reloaders then any other brand.

rc

 

[X-Rap]

I lay mine in a 24 pack beer box or low sided box like soup cans come in. Spray them and then roll around and spray again. Make sure the alc. has dried and you should be good. I like the Dillon or Cabelas lube in the pump bottle. I have a can of one shot, I'll give it a try and see how it works for me.

 

[cfullgraf]

There seems like alot of waste with spray on lubricants due to over spray. Hence, i may not be a liberal in application as needed.

Spraying cases in a box or bowl probably reduces the waste particularly if you don't clean out the lubricant from the receptacle before the next batch.

Somebody is having success with spray on lubricants as there are several on the market.

I have never gotten a case stuck with spray on lubricants, but have come close. The only stuck case I have ever had was due to operator error. I let the case pad get too dry.

 

[Seedtick]

Spraying cases in a box or bowl probably reduces the waste particularly if you don't clean out the lubricant from the receptacle before the next batch.

Yep.

I always use the same gallon zip-lock bag and I only add spray every second or third time I use it. But I only use it to make sizing pistol cases take less effort. I use Imperial Sizing Wax for rifle cases.

Seedtick

 

[popper]

One-Shot. .308, almost 30-30. Yes, I let it dry. Yes, I used a loading block. Yes, it is wasteful, but quick and easy. Problem is that toward the end of the can, you can't tell if it is propellant or lube on the case. Same problem as spray paint, but you cannot see 'color'. I'm back to the old fashioned way, with the fingers.

 

[sugarmaker]

Put the cases in a gallon ziploc freezer bag. Stick the nozzle into the mostly closed bag and give it a shot, shake around a bit, repeat a couple more times. Close up the bag, massage the cases around a bit, done. Dump into bin, load the primer tubes and powder measure, start loading. Bag captures ALL of the mist, cases get well lubed, takes about a minute. No lube on hands or anything else but cases. 200 .223's per bagful.

 

[chrome_austex]

I called the LEE helpdesk after my 3rd or 4th stuck 223 case with One-shot. They said the same thing DILLONHELP is saying, and recommended that I switch to a wax lube immediately. Apparently I can't screw up a wax lube.

Sure enough, zero stuck cases with a wax lube so far (and may hundreds of rounds later). One-shot will never touch my brass again (even it it is all noob reloader error).

 

[1KPerDay]

I stuck a .30-06 case with one shot... first case I ever tried to size. That was enough for me. Bought the tools to extract the case, switched some imperial sizing wax, no further issues.

I still use one-shot to lube huge piles of auto pistol brass, though... makes them run slicker through the sizing dies, and at least I get to use up my can of one-shot.

 

[T Bran]

When I first bought my setup a few years ago I also bought a can of ONE SHOT but after the horror stories would not take the chance. I did use some as a sealer on a knife handle I made worked ok for that the wood sucks it up and it was dry in record time.
I use a tiny ammount of STP on my fingers about every other case or two and then rinse in acetone air dries in no time. Have never had a case even consider sticking and a couple hundred 30/06 cases only takes a few drops to do.
I may try the ONE SHOT in the ziplock trick to use it up but it still gives me the heebie-jeebies.
T

 

[EddieNFL]

#1 They didn't let the solvent carrier dry fully after spraying.
#2 They sprayed with the heads of the cases setting down inside a loading block.
#3 They did both.

#4 OS isn't as slick as other lubes.

I used one can of OS and never stuck a case (mostly 5.56 and .308), but I can pick out a case lubed with OS just by the amount or resizing force required.

OS works, but better lubes are available.

 

[Master Blaster]

I stuck a .223 case using one shot and tore the head right off in my Rock chucker, in my RCBS die set. Then the same day I did the same thing with my Lee die set, when it happened with the Lees I used the decapping pin to pound the case out. The RCBS die set I had to send to RCBS along with $7 so they could remove it. Both times it was with one shot. I now use imperial sizing die wax and my fingers,and have also used Dillon lube and never stuck a case with either. The oneshot, the only can I bought, went into the trash that same day.
When I used the One shot I followed the directions on the can sprayed the cases laying on an old towel, rolled them sprayed them again, and rolled them again and let them dry.

 

[CHALK22]

I have stuck two .223 cases using One Shot lube. That being said, I am pretty sure it was my fault. I have been setting them up in my RCBS loading blocks, and spraying them. I would be willing to bet that I misses one of the corner cases when I was turning it. Other than that I have had no issues. Now I spray them and dump them in the case feeder, flip it on, and while it is loading the drop tube I figure it is also mixing up the cases adn allowing the alcohol or whatever to evaporate. Get a few primer tubes loaded and we are ready to go.

 

[Hondo 60]

Well, I'm sure I'm guilty of not letting it dry long enough.
And I'm sure that I don't miss any of the cases.

Maybe that's the trick, apply liberally.

I'm also sure that quite a few in here cringe at the word "liberal or liberally"
(me too)

One more thing - I actually don't use OS on my 223 cases anymore.
A member here made up some lube with lanolin & I'm guessing alcohol.
He was kind enough to send a free bottle for me to test.

If he ever gives permission I'll mention his handle, cuz the stuff works perfectly.
And he can certainly make a few bucks selling it.

 

[sugarmaker]

Also with one shot it's really important to shake the can until the ball rattles freely. It can really settle out after a couple of weeks and I spend longer shaking the can than I do spraying the lube. Otherwise you get solvent and no lube.

 

[Hondo 60]

But I DO use One Shot on 7.62x25 Tokarev
The only stuck case I've had was my fault.
I tried to run 2 or 3 more w/o lube, hoping there was enough left in the die.

 

[pbratton]

The Dillon spray is a lanolin mix.

 

[alsaqr]

I might add that I think One-Shot gets such a bad rap because they probably sell 10 times more of it to new reloaders then any other brand.

Bingo.

Never had a problem with One Shot. Shake very well, hold the spray nozzle at an angle of about 45 degrees, spray an even coat of the One Shot on the cases, wait about one minute and start depriming. i re-load 15,000-40,000 rounds of centerfire ammo every year.

 

[gamestalker]

I used Lee dry lube for many years, and then 8 or so years ago I switched because of the obvious convienence of a spray on, Dillon actually. With either of those I have never had a single stuck case.

The first time I used the Dillon I actually ran one through the FL die still wet and it almost stuck, and it had lube dents. So I stopped right there and let the others completely dry, the rest were like silk going through the die after that. The Dillon clearly states, as do the other spray on types, allow to dry completely!

 

[spclpatrolgroup]

#2 They sprayed with the heads of the cases setting down inside a loading block.

As per instructions. I followed them to a, and toor the rim off a case. I went back to the lube pad, I guess if its not broke, dont fix it.

The Hornady One-Shot Case Lube is the most popular case and tool lube on the market. The One-Shot Case Lube is clean, non-sticky, quick and easy to use, and the non-petroleum wax will not contaminate powder or primers. The aerosol spray can allows you to lube an entire block of cases in one shot, which is great when loading large quantities of ammunition.

 

[ranger335v]

RC: IMO: People stick cases with spray lube of any brand for one of three reasons.

#1 They didn't let the solvent carrier dry fully after spraying.
#2 They sprayed with the heads of the cases setting down inside a loading block.
#3 They did both.

Agree. And, tho I'm not there, I'd add:

#4 Failure to properly shake the can well before and during use.


I've found every commercial case lube made will work fine if it's used correctly. Not much of anything is any good if it's not used/applied correctly but it seems unfair to blame the lube for that. ??

 

[Slamfire]

I would like to know how many of the people who are successfully using spray lubes are small base sizing rifle cartridges.


I small base size 223, 308 and 30-06. If I could find more small base dies I would size in those calibers.


After much testing I found two lubricants that will not stick a case in a small base die, and those are RCBS water soluble and Imperial sizing wax. Mink oil shoe polish worked, and was so similiar to Imperial that they may be the same stuff.


I would like to hear testimonals from spray on lube uses and how well these lubes worked with small base dies.