Fyi- rifle case lube

ffgats

ffgats

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Want to share short info on case lubrication, for those still searching for a quick,cheap and easy to apply lube.

Lanolin 100% OIL( LIQUID FORM)- good for the hands too. LOL
99% ALCHOHOL
5-1 MIXTURE, I usually prepare 4oz(112ml) of LANOLIN with 500ml alchohol and shake in a spray bottle. With a lube case, I can raise the ram 5-6 times to the sizing die and still the case is going smmoooothly. Placed about 500 cases to a bin, spray and wait for the alchohol to evaporate. The whole mixture is good for 5k-6k cases. toal cost
Lanolin 4oz-$11.00, Alchohol $3.00, Bottle spray $2.00
 
I have tried spray lube before, and although it does a mediocre job on rifle brass it still doesn't lube on the inside of the case neck for the expander ball. It does do a marvelous job though on pistol brass!
 
I suspect lanolin will leave a thin flim on the cases. Probably nothing to worry about though. Oil on the cases will dent them.
"...a quick, cheap and easy to apply lube..." Ain't nothing as quick, easy or cheap than RCBS lube on a pad.
 
nevanevan said:
I have tried spray lube before, and although it does a mediocre job on rifle brass it still doesn't lube on the inside of the case neck for the expander ball. It does do a marvelous job though on pistol brass!
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I use this home brew lanolin lube I stand all my .223 cases up in pistol trays and spray on an angle, lubes the inside of the case necks just fine.
Get a mist/spray bottle at the dollar store.

DONT forget to let this lube dry completely before using it.... I've never had to deal with a more stuck case haha.
But if you let it dry it is effortless resizing, very nice lube.
 
IMO and for my reloading style, nothing beats sizing wax, but for spray lube, the OLD recipe of lanolin and alcohol can't be beat, no matter the advertising hype. Most spray lubes are lanolin based anyway, mix your own for 10% the cost and enjoy.
 
ffgats said:
Want to share short info on case lubrication, for those still searching for a quick,cheap and easy to apply lube.

Lanolin 100% OIL( LIQUID FORM)- good for the hands too. LOL
99% ALCHOHOL
5-1 MIXTURE, .
Click to expand...

That 5:1 ratio seems waaaaayyyy to rich.

I mix it at 12:1 and the stuff works amazingly well. (12 parts ISP to 1 part liquid lanolin)
At 12:1 there's VERY LITTLE residue left on the cases... A quick wipe is all that's required or... It gets taken off just through handling during the rest of the reloading process...

I've processed thousands of .223 cases using this bootleg case lube... 'Never a stuck case.
Lubing the inside of the case mouth is simply a matter of application.
I find using a pump spray bottle that produces a finer mist ideal. Your 5:1 mixture is probably too thick for this.
'Lay the cases on a tray and spray at an angle that allows the mist to enter the case mouths.. Easy-peasy.
 
Does lanolin contaminate powder? I don't think it does but I'd like to know for sure. I like using Lee lube the best because I don't have to clean the cases after, I just wipe the outsides down. Its not the best lube for sizing but I can get it on my hands and leave it in the cases. One Shot just makes me feel sick from the smell and I have to use gloves with it. The lanolin/alcohol mix sounds ideal.
 
supernova said:
Does lanolin contaminate powder? I don't think it does but I'd like to know for sure. I like using Lee lube the best because I don't have to clean the cases after, I just wipe the outsides down. Its not the best lube for sizing but I can get it on my hands and leave it in the cases. One Shot just makes me feel sick from the smell and I have to use gloves with it. The lanolin/alcohol mix sounds ideal.
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i got a tube of the white lee sizing lube and after reading some on it and the lube the OP mentioned i mixed it with 99% alchol and it works just the same. i mixed it about 12:1 and could probably go even thinner but the bottle is full now. the only thing is you have to shake it a big before using.

when the little amount i have finally runs out, or i do more lubing then i will likely dump half a tube into a full 500ml bottle and work up from there.
 
5 to 1 ratio worked for me,but I will try the 10 to 1, I guess the method we choose to prepare our brass greatly depends on how many rounds we shoot, for an average of 4k rnds/year, I dont see myself using other approach
 
where does one get liquid lanolin in Canada? was out running all over the place today looking in the Coquitlam tri-city area to no avail. the 99% isopropynal was hard enough to find. got it at shoppers. any leads guys, please.
 
pocojoe said:
where does one get liquid lanolin in Canada? was out running all over the place today looking in the Coquitlam tri-city area to no avail. the 99% isopropynal was hard enough to find. got it at shoppers. any leads guys, please.
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It is difficult to find "liquid" lanolin in stock anywhere... If you go to a place like "The Vitamin Store" they can order it from their supplier(s).
I did this once... It took' a couple of weeks, but they did finally get it in.
The easiest option is Amazon.
This is what I buy>>>> HERE

The 99% Isopropyl alcohol is readily available at walmart
 
I got mine from HomeHealth, or at Amazon but make sure its the liquid form. Wallmart and other Pharmacies sells 99% Iso Alchohol.
It took them 3 weeks to get mine too, my 4oz is good for thousands of rounds, But always check the EXPIRY DATE.
 
supernova said:
Does lanolin contaminate powder? I don't think it does but I'd like to know for sure. I like using Lee lube the best because I don't have to clean the cases after, I just wipe the outsides down. Its not the best lube for sizing but I can get it on my hands and leave it in the cases. One Shot just makes me feel sick from the smell and I have to use gloves with it. The lanolin/alcohol mix sounds ideal.
Click to expand...

Dillon case lube which I find the best for my needs is basically a Lanolin Base, there was a time when I asked them about my Rl 550 2 tool head set up, and the tech mentioned that I can get rid (tumble) of the lube last on a loaded round. So I guess it doesnt do harm on the primers and powder. Although I personally havnt done it myself, just not comfortable doing it.
 
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