Rifle case lubes

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Another One-Shot user here.

Yes, I have stuck 2 cases in the past, the reason being I didn't use enough. I lube in a shoe box lid, spray then shake multiple times to assure good coverage. Now, when I think its enough, I give it another squirt. If I'm feeling a little OCD, I do it again.

The reason I like it is that it just leaves a little film on the case that is easy to remove by wiping (which I do when I load single stage) or a quick tumble if progressive. I have just shot loads without doing anything and they aren't very messy.

I've found that lubes containing lanolin dry quite hard and take a lot of effort to remove. At least that's my experience.

Laphroaig
 
I use OneShot for most all that I'm going to run through my AP. Which includes 223R and 308W. The nice thing about One Shot is that you don't need to clean it off after use. But you must follow the directions and let it dry. And you have to learn how much to use. When I load on my SS press I use Imperial Sizing Wax. Even with this you have to learn how much to apply. I do use Cabela's Case lube to which is a Lanlon mix. It's more work cleaning off than than the Imperial or OneShot.

One thing I've learned over the years if it's taking excessive force you did not use enough.
 
I've been using the Frankford Arsenal pump spray lube. I put 30-40 cases in a zip lock bag, a pump of the lube, roll the cases together in the bag and they're GTG.
I wipe each case as I take it off the press but I don't think that I'd have to. I've left a few on my bench for a time with the lube on them and they dry pretty well.
 
Case forming: Imperial sizing wax.
Other bottle neck, STP oil treatment (aka RCBS CASE LUBE) on an RCBS lube pad.
9mm cases in progressive loader; spray 2sec spray in tupper ware container (I use cut down empty powder containers) tumble/shuffle to very lightly coat with Pledge furniture wax (or generic equivalent).
 
I used a spray lube without problem for a couple of years on .223 and .308, then started getting a ton of stuck cases despite same methods. I suspect the can went "bad" on me, because I replaced it with a tub lube, applied by hand, and haven't had a remotely sticky case since.
 
I have successfully used One Shot on multiple occasions with both ".223" and ".308" brass.

I split open a long, thin fluorescent utility fixture corrugated cardboard box so that I can easily line them up in facing rows. .223 is 127 per side and .308, 101.

This leaves a bit of space on one end of the rows so that after spraying both lines, I tilt the box and help them roll to expose the other side ... then I spray them again.

From there they go into a large ziplock freezer bag until I am ready to resize them.
 
After starting with Lee's lube and trying several home remedies, I have settled on Imperial sizing wax. Works very, very well, and is very, very inexpensive. A small tin lasts a long, long time. And easy peasy to clean from the case mouth.
 
Thanks for all the replies . Imperial wax seems to be the hands down favorite . This is applied with your fingers , One shot is a spray and some like it , a lot don't . All others you need a lube pad . Is this close ?
 
chief99 said:
Thanks for all the replies . Imperial wax seems to be the hands down favorite . This is applied with your fingers , One shot is a spray and some like it , a lot don't . All others you need a lube pad . Is this close ?
Click to expand...
Pretty much. I'm sure there are exceptions I'm not aware of but that's not surprising, I don't know much lol.

It used to be sold in more than one size, the 2oz tin is the best bargain from what I see. (If they still do sell the smaller tin)

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/519525/imperial-case-sizing-wax-2-oz
 
FWIW, I use Hornady Unique for resizing my .32-20 cases. It does a very good job and doesn't create a trouble-to-clean-up mess.

It is applied same as the Imperial (which I have never used) ... keep a little on your fingers and mildly coat the cases as you move them towards the shellholder.

I also suspect that it would make a dandy leather boot wet-weather sealant. ;)
 
Hornady Unique case lube, its a paste in a small tub. Rub it on your fingers, then on the case, a little goes a long way. Its good stuff, I've yet to stick a case using it.

I bought it at Midwayusa.com with some other stuff.
 
Another vote here for Imperial...it really does stretch out a long ways and makes sizing easier than any other I've tried. Second choice is Hornady Unique, it smells a bit but also works very well and very economical. Hand lubing each case is also conducive to a good inspection of each one I think.
 
Imperial wax for me as well. I bought the round tin years ago and am still not close to using it up (although to be fair I load more pistol than rifle). Rub my fingers in it every few rounds, wipe it on the case and good to go. Every 5th or so round I use a case brush to put a bit inside the neck which seems to be enough vs doing every one. Good stuff.

For pistol, I use carbide dies but have found that a quick squirt of RemOil make a difference. RemOil is good for spraying dies before I put them away, lubing pistol cases, but little else.
 
JonB said:
Imperial wax for me as well. I bought the round tin years ago and am still not close to using it up (although to be fair I load more pistol than rifle). Rub my fingers in it every few rounds, wipe it on the case and good to go. Every 5th or so round I use a case brush to put a bit inside the neck which seems to be enough vs doing every one. Good stuff.

For pistol, I use carbide dies but have found that a quick squirt of RemOil make a difference. RemOil is good for spraying dies before I put them away, lubing pistol cases, but little else.
Click to expand...
I'm not a fan of using any oil near where primers are going to be. Instead, I give short handgun cases like the 9mm and 45 Auto a quick spray with One Shot. I use Imperial Sizing Wax on rifle case like I said above but do like One Shot for handgun cases.
 
I use the Lee toothpaste tube stuff. It seems to work well enough for me. Like Imperial a little goes a long way plus I prefer to lube each case individually. For rifle I typically am not reloading that many at a time anyhow. If I'm doing .223 I just process a whole batch of brass so it's still not a big issue.

-Jeff
 
I'll throw in my vote for Imperial wax. For small batches of brass, that is what I use. Apply with fingers, wipe off with paper towel when done.

For larger batches of 223, I use the Royal spray lube. I use a cardboard lid from a box of copier paper, place 2-300 cases in there and spray, shake brass around a little, and spray again. Never a stuck case.

It is important to get some lube inside the neck so the expander ball does not stick. Since I was using Redding dies for 223, I just ordered the carbide expander ball and I don't worry so much about lube inside the necks now.

I wet tumble after sizing to remove any left over lube.
 
Lately, I've used both the Lee resizing lube and Hornady Unique.

I have never stuck a case with either, but I have twice ripped the neck off of a case when I didn't get enough of the Lee lubricant on the outside of the case neck. It took me a while to get used to Hornady Unique since the teeny-tiniest amount is all you need and you have to be careful not to put so much on the case neck as to dent it. Once I got used to them, both have worked well for me and both tumble off quickly in walnut media.
 
RCBS spray and ziplock bag here, backed up by Imperial. I've found .308 the worst to try to stick. If it feels hard, stop, back out and put a little Imperial on the case. If you force them, you better get some extra sizing dies...
 
I've been using the Hornady One Shot in the aerosol can form for years and years and on many thousands of reloads. Both .357 Mag pistol and .223 and .30-06 rifle.

I've never had a stuck case in all this time. Maybe, I've been lucky, but I like the convenience.
 
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