Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

Handloader · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:33 am Post subject: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

A lot of our customers are satisfied with One Shot or Dillon spray lubes and we sell a bunch of it. That said, we get one or two customers with stuck cases every month, all of them using a spray on lube. This is fine, because we also sell stuck case removers. After someone has had one or two stuck cases, they will revert to the old fashioned way of a roll pad with either RCBS, Redding lube, or Imperial Wax, never to have a stuck case again.

Overzealous spray lube fans will often contaminate the interior of the case as well and this produces a certain number of misfires every year, often resulting in a bullet stuck in the bore. I've watched some customers reload and I am amazed at how messy the spray on method is, whether pump or aerosol. Their protestations aside, they must always clean up after their spray episodes and often they will then wash or tumble their resized brass to remove the excess. Seems like a lot of extra work to me.

It is our human nature to look for easier ways of doing things and, once found, justify the process as better. Sprayers to the left, roll pad users to the right. I suppose as long as one is pleased with their chosen method, it is academic as to which method is best or better. Live and let live, right.
But, if you are a sprayer and have stuck a case or a bullet, you may wish to rediscover the wonders and the economy of the lube pad.

Grumulkin · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:22 am Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

I've used spray lube before and never had a stuck case with it and have never had a stuck bullet except once when I neglected to put powder in a case and the 375 caliber bullet didn't go very far (easily remedied).

That said, I discovered the wonders of Imperial Sizing Wax and I DETEST lube pads.

Vince · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:44 am Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

Have never used Spray Lube...heard too many nasty things about the stuff.

I've only ever used Pacific Sizing Lube. Why...cause that is what was sold to me 30 years ago and I am still using the same bottle of the stuff. Its incredibly economical. Very Happy

I reckon I've sized at least 10,000 .357 cases and probably a few thousand rifle cases using it and I've never had a stuck case or any other sort of problem with using it.

I have tried many different methods of applying it, from putting a "dab" on my fingers and rolling the case between them, to making a roll pad and putting the lube on it (still using it now).

I've heard nothing but good things about Imperial Sizing Wax. Never even seen the stuff, but one day I'd like to give it a go. Very Happy

Cheers, Vince

chambered221 · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:40 am Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

The best lube I’ve found is called carbide !!! Laughing

[pistol and neck bushing dies]

Over the years I’ve tried a lot of different products but always seem to go back to the water soluble RCBS lube and pad.

To those that have stuck a case or two !!!
Have you ever cleaned your dies ??? wtf

Take a look, you might find a little cleaning is needed !!! Idea

The spray stuff seems to leave a build up over time.

I always clean my dies when I’m done and spray with Tri-flow before storage.
Next time I use them I give them a quick swab to remove any excess oils and apply a little lube to prep.

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:36 am Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

Tried One Shot once. Seems to work on my .30-30 cases, but I ended up with two stuck .30-06 cases and a mess to clean up on the back splash of my loading bench.

I started out with RCBS pad and lube and I'll probably end up with it. I relegated the One Shot to squeeky rocking chairs...

chambered221 · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

Bushmaster wrote:

I relegated the One Shot to squeeky rocking chairs...

Heyyyyy !!! That's WD-40's job !!! Shocked

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:24 am Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

Nooo...WD-40 is for rusty bolts and nuts...

Dawgdad · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:54 am Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

Thew RCBS and lyman spray lubes have worked well for me but the Hornady one shot left me a stuck case. It is more wax based and he others are more oil based to my feel.

I lay the brass on a cookie sheet and give them a light spray roll them over and another light spray. The stuff has enough surfactant in it that it distributes itself around the cases pretty well. I keep an old sock on my left hand and and wipe them off as they come out of the sizer.

ripper007 · Member Joined: Mar 05, 2006 Posts: 199 Location: Colorado

I use water soluble RCBS lube and pad.

when I first got into reloading, I read allot on this and and talked to a few people.

I lightly soaked the pad with the RCBS lube when I first got it and have not had to add any more to it yet. but its only been a couple of years and its seen a couple of thousand or more casings roll on threw it.

I was thinking I should add more to it. the other day, I just got done with 50 rounds, and started another batch of 50. on accident I started popping primers , very first one, I noticed a huge difference on how much more force I had to use to pull the lever down. I stopped right away, pulled the casing and realized , I forgot to roll the casings on the lube pad.
and it was only a 9mm casing for pistils.

lube makes a big difference, and I think using as little lube as possible is better, just a very small amount should do. too much will start packing your reloading dies and can cause problems. thats from what I have read.

gelandangan · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

Been using Hornady lube and pad - still using the same bottle after 7 years.. Bought it in 12 July 2002 for $15, I always wrote the date of purchase and price on the bottle of powder, box of primers ammo, etc..

For my 38 spl and 357 Magnum loads, I have been using Dillon Square deal for the past 14 years.
It cames with carbide sizing die
Never need to lube, never got stuck case, only need to be clean now and then (every couple of years or so..)

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

I have both on the bench One Shot and RCBS Lube and Pad. Haven't had any issues with either one.
Joe

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

I've used the spray on lubes for years. First the Dillon stuff and now the Hornady. The Hornady is cleaner and easier. IMO. I put the cases on a paper plate, spray them, shake them around some, spray again and shake again. I also will spray a shot into the sizing die before starting.

sniper · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:35 pm Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

My experience parallels yours, Handloader. I bought a stuck case remover when I first got my reloading gear, and only used it after I started using One Shot Twice is enough!
Can't say about the others, altho I might give RCBS a try. The pad and lube seems like a good altenative. A little squirt doesn't harm carbide dies, yhough, and makes things much smoother.

English Mike · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: Case Lube, to Spray or Not?

Imperial or RCBS on a pad for me - quicker, cleaner & cheaper than the spray can stuff & works better too.

jeh7mmmag · Member Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 223 Location: DFW, TX.

Imperial sizing wax, Mink Oil boot polish, or RCBS on a pad have all worked good for me. They are all anhydrous Lanolin based.

I have heard of several peole sticking cases with the Horn 1 shot spray.

I also use a 35mm film can filled with # 9 shot and motor mica/ graphite to lube the neck when I FLR.

I alway clean with gasoline, and polish dies with steel wool on a stick, and prelube before sizing.
Stuck 1 case in 1973.