Sinclair Int’l Guide to Cartridge Case Lubrication
Sinclair International has a good article on Case Lubrication which shows the various products and application methods available. Part of Sinclair’s Step-By-Step Reloading series, the article shows how to apply Spray Lube, Die Wax, or conventional lube from a Pad. The story also explains how to use dry lube to slick up the inside of your case necks.
Spray Lubes
High-volume reloaders often turn to spray-on lubricants such as the RCBS Case Slick (#749-001-341) or the Hornady One Shot (#749-001-065) to quickly lubricate large numbers of cases at once. An indispensable piece of gear that helps make spray lubing easy is a lube rack (#749-011-550) – a polymer block that holds cases upright and arranged to maximize their exposure to the spray.
Editor’s Note: Ballistol Aerosol is other good spray product for regular full-length sizing (not heavy case forming). It goes on clear (no chalky residue), it is ultra-slippery, and it will remove the carbon from your case necks as you apply Ballistol with a patch. This is my primary spray lube — but many folks hate the distinctive Ballistol smell. Try before you buy.
Sizing Die Wax
Over the years, many benchrest shooters have come to trust Imperial Sizing Die Wax (#749-001-052) for their case lube needs. It offers high lubricity and easily wipes off with a paper towel. In fact, its lubricity makes it a popular choice for case forming, for those wildcat folks who need to form their own unique or obsolete cartridges. Unlike lube pads or spray lubes, sizing wax is applied more naturally. You just put a little on your fingers and transfer it to the cases by handling them. As simple and easy as Imperial Sizing Die Wax is to use, it’s probably best for low-volume applications.
Dry Lubricant
Redding’s Imperial Application Media (#749-001-166) is a dry neck lube used to lube the inside of the neck, whether you’re full-length sizing or neck-sizing only. It consists of ceramic spheres coated with a fine graphite-based powder. You simply dip the neck into the container for a second to pick up the right amount of lube. This lube enables the expander ball to work smoothly throughout the case neck –instead of “grabbing” or “chattering” — to minimize case neck stretching.
Story Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.Editor’s Note: Dry Lube is also very useful if you ultrasonically clean your cases. After the ultrasound process, the inside of the case neck can be so “squeaky clean” that bullets don’t seat smoothly. A quick application of dry lube will help bullets slide into the neck easier and the neck “grip” on the bullets should be more consistent from round-to-round. Consistent neck tension is key to accuracy and uniform velocities.
Similar Posts:
- Lube Choices for Case Sizing — Reviewing the Options
- Guide to Case Lubricants — Spray, Liquid, Wax, and Dry Lube
- Recommended Lubes for Case Sizing and Neck-Turning
- Try Ballistol Lube for Case Sizing, STP for Neck Turning
- Lubrication Products for Case Sizing and Neck Turning
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Tags: Case lube, Imperial Die Wax, Lubrication, One-Shot, RCBS Lube, Ultrasonic Cleaning
Cant beat One Shot. The wrong lube can be a disaster.
I use wool wax dissolved in ethyl acetate as a spray-on case lube. works great.
To use Imperial Sizing Die Wax on a pad just spread it sparingly on the pad with a butter knife (like maragarine or butter) and then place the pad in the sun for an hour or two. The sizing wax melts into the pad and you will be able to lubricate hundreds of cases before reapplication is required again. Works a treat!
Good tip on the Imperial Sizing Die , will give it a try.
Imperial sizing die wax and a pad is by far the best method.