Case lube substitute

[chris jones]

I have everything to start loading some ammo except case lube. No local gun shops around here.. what can I use to start?

[XDRoX]

Just to make sure, you're loading rifle right? Straight walled pistol cases to do require lube with carbide dies.

[XDRoX]

Also, not sure where you're located, but you could borrow some from me until you can order some if you're near San Diego.

[CSACANNONEER]

Crisco or Mobil one work well.

[rsrocket1]

Hundreds of lubricants work OK. Dozens work well.
One's I've tried and work:
STP motor oil additive, Bag Balm, Vaseline, Pam cooking spray, Liquid Lanolin dissolved in 99% Isopropyl Alcohol (Dillon spray lube), Baby Shampoo, Dawn dishwasher detergent, regular engine oil, plain cooking oil.

The trick is to get a thin film all around and down the full length of the case wall, (not needed on the shoulder or neck) and not too thick. Too much built up lube causes dents in the shoulder and not enough coverage causes stuck cases. When I use STP oil treatment, I dip the tip of my finger about 1/4" into a capful of the stuff and that is good for about five to ten .308 cases. Again, full coverage is more important than thickness. More lubricant simply means more to clean off.

The lanolin/alcohol spray works best for me with .223 cases which are also the most prone to getting stuck simply because that small rim tends to pull out of the shell holder pretty easily.

If you are paranoid about petroleum products contaminating powder/primer, either wipe the stuff off or tumble the deprimed shells for 1/2 hour afterwards.

[SDJim]

Add Kiwi mink oil, silicone based wire pulling lubricant (mixed with 91% Iso Alcohol) and Kiwi neutral shoe polish (which I was told is the same as Imperial Sizing Wax) to the list of substitues

[xfer42]

I put all my shells in a plastic safeway bag, then dip a few into Mobil-1 5w30. I mix it up so they just barely feel coated (wearing latex gloves). I keep it in a plastic bag so the oil stays with the shells in the event I have to postpone my reloading for 2-4 weeks.

Resized shells go into a cardboard box so some of it gets absorbed.

I suggest you error on the side of too much at first. Too little = stuck shell.

[bohoki]

ive always just used vasaline it wipes off easy on a teeshirt

[WILDMAN442]

I use one shot.

Stuck cases every now and then though.

Justin

[vwynn]

i has...

one shot and imperial sizing wax

[rsrocket1]

i has...

one shot and imperial sizing wax

... and what branch of Safeway or 7-11 carries one shot or imperial sizing wax?

RTOP

[jph]

how do you guys remove the lubricant?


J.

[cjskalka]

Before I used the RCBS lube dies, I used Pam cooking spray. Spray pam, resize, trim, chamfer, debur, tumble, load.

[popeye4]

You can order Imperial Sizing Die wax from Bruno's Shooter Supplies and have it in a couple of days, same with Dillon spray lube. They are in Arizona, I've gotten items overnight on occasion, but never more than three days for delivery via UPS ground.

[vwynn]

... and what branch of Safeway or 7-11 carries one shot or imperial sizing wax?

RTOP

The internet sir

i figure if one can post online, one can buy online.