- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
I have been reloading about 15 years, very low volume. Maybe 500 to 1000 rounds a year. I started with a Lee kit which I still use. The kit included a tube of Lee's water-based case lube, which is all I've ever used. I've since used one or maybe two tubes of the lube, but I wonder what everyone else likes.
Pros of the Lee Lube:
It's cheap as dirt...I estimate I've reloaded between 7000 and 10000 rounds of ammo with either two or three tubes of lube at about $3.00 per tube. The stuff also doesn't separate or degrade over time.
It's non-detrimental to powder; you can use it to clean/lube the inside of the case mouth with no worries.
It helps you clean the cases.....I smear it on with my fingertips, size, and buff off later with a rag. If there's any grit on your case, you'll feel it with your fingertips when applying the lube..
It's non-toxic and odourless, very pleasant to work with in that respect.
You can thin with water and dunk cases, then let them dry. Or you can lube with fingers, let dry. Either way, if for some reason you want to, you can lube now, size later.
Cons:
Buffing off the cases can be a pain, especially if the lube has had lots of time to dry. This is especially noticeable with once-fired factory cases; I usually Brasso them after the first resize which helps.
Smearing the lube on and being careful not to lube the shoulder or to use too much lube is also a rather picky job.
Since none of my friends are handloaders, I've never tried any other lube and don't have clue one what's out there. All opinions welcome!
Pros of the Lee Lube:
It's cheap as dirt...I estimate I've reloaded between 7000 and 10000 rounds of ammo with either two or three tubes of lube at about $3.00 per tube. The stuff also doesn't separate or degrade over time.
It's non-detrimental to powder; you can use it to clean/lube the inside of the case mouth with no worries.
It helps you clean the cases.....I smear it on with my fingertips, size, and buff off later with a rag. If there's any grit on your case, you'll feel it with your fingertips when applying the lube..
It's non-toxic and odourless, very pleasant to work with in that respect.
You can thin with water and dunk cases, then let them dry. Or you can lube with fingers, let dry. Either way, if for some reason you want to, you can lube now, size later.
Cons:
Buffing off the cases can be a pain, especially if the lube has had lots of time to dry. This is especially noticeable with once-fired factory cases; I usually Brasso them after the first resize which helps.
Smearing the lube on and being careful not to lube the shoulder or to use too much lube is also a rather picky job.
Since none of my friends are handloaders, I've never tried any other lube and don't have clue one what's out there. All opinions welcome!
Last edited:
) and Lyman spray lube (stuck cases), went back to the wax. 
