Case lube application methods for consistent shoulder bump

[Phys86]

Hi all, I have always lubed my cases with Lee wax base Case lube prior to sizing. I've never had a stuck case with it, and I love the stuff. I also like that you don't have to use soap to wash it off, I always just use an old rag to wipe it off. But, the application is on the slow side and I found my methods aren't very consistent for getting the same amount on every case.

I used to put a dab inside a tupperware container and then put my cases in, and then put the lid on and shake it around. I love that method for its speed, but it gets the lube in the case neck and I don't really want any in there. I now just put a dab on my finger and use my other hand to roll the case through the dab to coat the body. This is slower, and isn't very good for getting a consistent amount on each case.

The reason I'm looking into this, is because I've noticed it's making my shoulder bump more inconsistent than it could be. I have also noticed that the dryness of the lube on my case has a huge impact on it as well.

I would rather not switch case lubes, so I was hoping someone has a clever method of applying a wax based lube very evenly and somewhat quickly on all the cases.

What are the most consistent methods you have found with other lube brands? I'm absolutely not interested in going the aerosol route, so we can leave those suggestions out.

 

[madmixerman]

I use Hornady one shot. Let it on the case at least 5 minutes before starting to resize. I also let the case dwell in the sizing die for 5 seconds before removing. Wipe case. Works for me.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

99% alcohol and liquid lanolin makes the best case lube. Toss them in a plastic bin spray a few times and after the alcohol evaporates you have a very thin uniform lubed case. Quick wipe with a clean dry rag and then tumble in corn cob for a few hours. Best method I have encountered.

 

[Phys86]

99% alcohol and liquid lanolin makes the best case lube. Toss them in a plastic bin spray a few times and after the alcohol evaporates you have a very thin uniform lubed case. Quick wipe with a clean dry rag and then tumble in corn cob for a few hours. Best method I have encountered.

I think Lee lube is lanolin based...

For you guys that spray it on, how are you getting all sides of the case? You say you toss them in a bin and spray a few times... Are you shaking the bin around to get them completely coated?

 

[JEFFPPC]

I apply die was with my fingers......none on the shoulder.

 

[243winxb]

RCBS pad . Lube washes off with water.

 

[Cryhavoc]

99% alcohol and liquid lanolin makes the best case lube. Toss them in a plastic bin spray a few times and after the alcohol evaporates you have a very thin uniform lubed case. Quick wipe with a clean dry rag and then tumble in corn cob for a few hours. Best method I have encountered.

This is the method I also use although I recently tried Brass Juice case lube and it works equally as well and has a pleasant minty odor to it....

 

[Chubbs]

I think Lee lube is lanolin based...

For you guys that spray it on, how are you getting all sides of the case? You say you toss them in a bin and spray a few times... Are you shaking the bin around to get them completely coated?

Put your cases in a a plastic bag then spray into the bag . Shake bag a couple of times and cases will be nicely coated. Can't beat the IPA and lanolin. Ratio is 8 - 1.

 

[Cfshooter]

Hi all, I have always lubed my cases with Lee wax base Case lube prior to sizing. I've never had a stuck case with it, and I love the stuff. I also like that you don't have to use soap to wash it off, I always just use an old rag to wipe it off. But, the application is on the slow side and I found my methods aren't very consistent for getting the same amount on every case.

I used to put a dab inside a tupperware container and then put my cases in, and then put the lid on and shake it around. I love that method for its speed, but it gets the lube in the case neck and I don't really want any in there. I now just put a dab on my finger and use my other hand to roll the case through the dab to coat the body. This is slower, and isn't very good for getting a consistent amount on each case.

The reason I'm looking into this, is because I've noticed it's making my shoulder bump more inconsistent than it could be. I have also noticed that the dryness of the lube on my case has a huge impact on it as well.

I would rather not switch case lubes, so I was hoping someone has a clever method of applying a wax based lube very evenly and somewhat quickly on all the cases.

What are the most consistent methods you have found with other lube brands? I'm absolutely not interested in going the aerosol route, so we can leave those suggestions out.

RCBS pad works great. apply lube to pad, I out 10 cases on pad, roll, and next.

 

[mills braswell]

I use Hornady Unique case lube and apply by hand. After I get going, after every 2nd or 3rd case I will size one w/o lube because in my limited experience, no matter what lube you use it will build up in the die.
I've never stuck a case no matter what lube I've used, but since doing it this way, no more shoulder dents and yes, stop at the top of the ram stroke for 2 seconds seems to help.

 

[358WCF]

I apply die wax with my fingers......none on the shoulder.

This... Imperial (Redding) wipes off with a paper towel or an old t-shirt.

 

[jepp2]

so I was hoping someone has a clever method of applying a wax based lube very evenly and somewhat quickly on all the cases

A review on MidwayUSA

I take a WD40 spray bottle and squeeze about half the tube in and then fill it up about 3/4 full with 91% isopropyl alcohol and cap it and shake . I spray it on the shells and wait for it to dry ,it works great.

I use Bootleg case lube and find that spraying it on and rolling them on a cookie sheet gives a very consistent application and shoulder bump. But I do apply lube to the case neck and shoulder. If you don't apply too much, you will never get a dent. They occur when there is an excess of lube. If I am using an expander, I even spray so some goes in the case neck. Now everyone can tell me how I'm doing it all wrong. Works just fine for me.

I had used the Lee for a while on a closed cell pad, and found it was challenging to get a consistent application. And since it is water based, it can rust your dies if you don't remove any residual after sizing.

Here is what my application method looks like.
















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[wkdickinson]

For along time I used Imperial Sizing Wax (ISW) on the entire case (including the shoulder and neck). and I had a problem with inconsistent shoulder bumps. I tried a number of alternatives with little success. What I do now, which seems to work quite well is - I dunk the case neck in Imperial Graphite Neck Lube, then with my fingers I apply a think coat of ISW, only to the body of the case, so there is no lube on the shoulder. I now get very consistent should bumps using Whidden "click-adjustable" sizing dies. Then I finish the neck with a mandrel, while it is still lubed with graphite.

ISW is very easy to remove too. You can just wipe it off with a paper towel or I usually tumble my cases after the mandrel sizing (they are never dirty, because I pick them out of the action and put them back in the cartridge box, so initial cleaning is unnecessary).

 

[Bugs]

I apply die was with my fingers......none on the shoulder.

This. . . but I do put just a light film on the shoulder and neck. Shoulder bump stays within .0005 with annealed brass

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Make sure die is clean, vent hole if present is clear. Don't lube the shoulder, this is not a big issue with the spray/evaporate lube. Dillion spray lube is alcohol/lanolin. Even lip balm works good for plain old sizing, and it washes off easily.

 

[Phys86]

Thanks for all the awesome suggestions, guys. I should mention that I also only coat the body and use imperial dry graphite inside the neck.

I have some lanolin, so maybe I'll try making a mix with isopropanol and a spray bottle.

 

[Hoot]

I'm a big fan of Imperial lube. I won an RCBS lube pad as a door prize a few years back and it sat on a shelf. As odd as this sounds: I decided to look outside the 9 dots and squeegeed some Imperial onto the pad, then rubbed it in. Now I just roll my cases across the lube pad and I'm all set. Have lubed around 200 cases and the first application is still going strong. I am however considering mixing up some of the lanolin/anhydrous alcohol homebrew and giving it a try some day. Never hurts to try something new.

 

[M-61]

Started reloading about 1964. RCBS pad and their lube. New pad over the years due to my sloppy handling of media and now I use RCBS 2. Which it may have been called then but I don't recall. Roll the cartridges on the pad and I'm good to go. No reason to try anything different. Might add I still use a vibrating tumbler with walnut media. If anything would make my groups smaller I'd have it.

 

[Rsadams]

Imperial sizing wax , my fingers and a towel in my lap... Never had a stuck case...

 

[D-4297]

Was forced to go to Unique when the Imperial wasn't available in my area awhile back , and saw very little difference between the two , except the Unique was easier to apply getting a smoother application more evenly . Biggest difference for me was I don't get any of the odd variations like I used too . That odd case that bumps .003 - .004 , instead of just .001 . And I do lube the shoulder and neck area . ( Sacrilege ) But I also anneal after every firing , deburr the neck , inside and out before re-sizing , and clean my dies every other session . And I only Bump .001 .