Downsides to using Ballistol for lubing brass?

[DngBat7]

I have tried many lubes for brass. Imperial wax which is obviously a good choice. Just takes me to much time lubing one by one. Maybe when I’m retired. Tried Hornady one shot. Never seems to lube evenly. I saw the forum boss recommend Ballistol. Tried it. Worked fantastic. Is there any downside to using Ballistol?

Thanks

 

[Tcross]

Smell. Just doesn’t sooth the senses like Hoppes #9 did in my youth. However, after a while you get over it. I use it, and like it for a lot of applications at the reloading bench.

 

[STOMP442]

Yep the smell is the only downside. Makes the reloading room smell like you been floating air biscuits. Ballistol is awesome stuff though.

 

[DngBat7]

Yep the smell is the only downside. Makes the reloading room smell like you been floating air biscuits. Ballistol is awesome stuff though.

My thought is that it smells like the backside of the cattle at a country fair. Have to spray brass outside on the porch on a cookie tray and let it sit before bringing them in

 

[rjtfroggy]

Somebody getting ready for the weekend?

 

[piie]

I would just warn against using such a thin lube on large cases. I too have strayed on the path of finding the ellusive holy grail oil - tried baby oil, floor wax etc etc. While the baby oil worked quite well for my smaller cals, it started straining on my 458 lott cases - back to the trusted imperial I went promptly. I whish we had access to Lanolin where I live, since I'm convinced that is also a very good lube (mixed with the IPA). Ballistol is my go to oil for everything else - even cleaning -I just spray it onto a boresnake at the range while the barrel is still hot, 2 pulls and the barrel is clean as a whistle - it just invokes an almost immediate cough attack when I smell it.

 

[FNSafari]

IMO use Imperial die wax and don't look back. I use it on everything from my benchrest cases to .338 win mag and it just can't be beat. Wipes off easily too. jmo.

 

[K22]

I don't know why we keep trying to "reinvent the wheel" when the perfect product has existed for many years, i.e., Imperial Sizing Wax. It's economical, last a long time, and is extremely effective if applied properly.

 

[RCE1]

I use a spray of anhydrous lanolin 1-9 with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. I spray a pump or two into a ZipLock bag, add brass, agitate a little bit and pour out into a container. The alcohol flashes off, leaving a light even coat of pure lanolin. Wipes off easily from loaded cartridges. Basically the same as Dillon's spray lube.

 

[cj8vet]

do ya'll use any solvent on the rag when wiping any of these lubes off?
mark

 

[One Eye Pete]

Been using Ballistol for years as a general case sizing lube. I use it on a rag to wipe the carbon from the case necks and at the same time to lube the case. A little goes a real long way and I never stuck a case with it. However, I polish the inside of my sizing dies to a mirror finish with a good metal polish such as Flitz. This greatly reduces the force required for sizing and the chances of a case sticking.
For any real heavy duty case forming applications I still use Imperial Die Wax.
I hate wiping the lube off. The less you use the less you have to get off. Recently I went to tumbling in rice for about 15-20 min to remove the Ballistol. Seems to work OK bit can get stuck in primer pockets.

 

[Enosiophobia]

I use a spray of anhydrous lanolin 1-9 with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. I spray a pump or two into a ZipLock bag, add brass, agitate a little bit and pour out into a container. The alcohol flashes off, leaving a light even coat of pure lanolin. Wipes off easily from loaded cartridges. Basically the same as Dillon's spray lube.

Exactly the same.

 

[RCE1]

do ya'll use any solvent on the rag when wiping any of these lubes off?
mark

I don't need solvent with the lanolin, but I have had success with paint thinner. Just barely damp. Get good ventilation.

 

[bozo699]

I don't know why we keep trying to "reinvent the wheel" when the perfect product has existed for many years, i.e., Imperial Sizing Wax. It's economical, last a long time, and is extremely effective if applied properly.

I couldn’t have said it better myself
Wayne

 

[Old Navy]

I finally used up a tin of Imperial awhile back. As per Alex Wheeler's recommendation, I bought a tub of Hornady Unique. I really like it.

 

[bozo699]

I finally used up a tin of Imperial awhile back. As per Alex Wheeler's recommendation, I bought a tub of Hornady Unique. I really like it.

There tub is bigger so it will take ya even longer to use it up!…. I use imperial because my hard core conservative views hate change but I do have and have used the Hornaday unique and it works fine
Wayne

 

[Dave M.]

I’ve tried a ton of things and I’ve always come back to imperial sizing wax. I tap my finger in it and I can do 5-8 cases and then I dip my finger again. The only thing I’ve yet to try that I’d like to because I do thing it would save time, is the Lanolin and Alcohol mix.
Dave

 

[bozo699]

I’ve tried a ton of things and I’ve always come back to imperial sizing wax. I tap my finger in it and I can do 5-8 cases and then I dip my finger again. The only thing I’ve yet to try that I’d like to because I do thing it would save time, is the Lanolin and Alcohol mix.
Dave

I know how you are……. Keep doing what your doing!….. it’s the best by a large margine!…
Wayne

 

[mousegunner]

I don't use Imperial but I've put on nitrile gloves, smeared some case lube on and rolled 4-5 cases back and forth in my palms, grab another handful and repeat. After 3 handfuls, some more lube and repeat. You get the hang of how much lube to use and getting some on the necks and shoulders as well.

I don't see how using Imperial the same way wouldn't give you the same results. That's one method that's worked for me.

 

[Hoot]

Which way is it?

Several of you have recommended putting the lube in a ziploc bag, adding the cases and agitating them to get them fully coated. I can't begin to count the posts I've seen, cautioning about getting lube on the neck and shoulders. Seems to me that the bag-o-lube approach would do just that.

So, what am I missing?

I am a believer in Imperial wax but I have also diluted pure lanolin in 99% iso, then worked it into an RCBS rolling pad. A quick roll across the pad get the cases coated and to a certain degree, quite consistently. The challenge comes in not bearing down on them so hard that they sink down into the pad to where the necks and shoulders also get coated. This method vs Imperial fingers depends upon how many cases I intend to size.

Hope I'm not throwing rocks at the hornet's nest.

Hoot