Imperial Sizing Wax vs STP

[Max]

While expanding the necks on some 6BR brass (using a 6mm to 30BR K&M expander and Imperial Sizing Wax) I found there was considerable resistance to the point that I was afraid I'd pull the rim off. Switching to STP oil additive cut the resistance in half and made the job a breeze. Probably works well for other sizing operations.

 

[GSPV]

If you're pulling rims off 6BR cases necking up to 30 on a mandrel using imperial sizing die wax, something is badly wrong.

STP is slick. It's also persistent as all get out. I hate the stuff. I haven't found anything that quickly and easily removes it.

 

[STP]

Is the expander mandrel galled? Something is not right.

I wouldn`t use that other stuff either...

Regards,

Scott

 

[rogn]

Ive only ever purchased 1 can of Imperial wax And Ive been severely underwhelmed with its performance. Maybe its a bad can, but I dont plan on the purchase of a second one.Ive had the most use out of Lee's case lube which is a tube of soft wax, see ms to take less than 1/2 the effort of Imperial for FLS, and its was to get in the case neck and easy to get off again. Just 0.02$

 

[M-61]

6BR to 30BR also K&M mandrel. RCBS-2 lube. Never a problem so far.

 

[ReedG]

The best lube I've ever used for neck expanding and neck turning is Lee Lube, the white paste in a tube. Non-oily, wipes off or brushes out without a problem.

 

[Max]

The expander mandrel is new and smooth so it shouldn't be a problem. I'll try the other lubes to see how they work.

 

[blastit37]

Max: If something works for you, I wouldn't worry about what "others" say. I'm no expert at reloading but for what its worth, I've used STP as my case lub for over 6 years with no problems. Cleans up easly in my ultra sonic cleaner with a little citric acid and Dial soap. i'm still using the same bottle I started with 6+ years ago. Just don't get it "sloppy" thick or it will affect your sizing. If its not broke, why fix it?

 

[GSPV]

I use a pumpkin mandrel and turner. I lube with imperial. No problems whatsoever.

I've used the STP/Mobil 1 mix for turning before. It's slick. It's also very persistent and hard to clean up.

Let me see: I can get lanolin on my hands, or I can get sythetic motor oil....

 

[AckleymanII]

+1 on the Lee lube! Works great for lubing bullet jackets also!

 

[clos]

Imperial would be my first choice.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

I had some serious problems making my 30 BR cases. I used several different lubes nothing seemed to work. Every case I tried to reform was a loss. I got to looking at things. Then I noticed my 6mm to 30 Redding expander ball just kind of looked dull. So I took the expander and decapping rod out of the die. Put some JB on a rag and spun the heck out of it with my DeWalt until it looked like chrome. My problems vanished. I did the same with my K&M mandrel now both work as expected.

 

[amlevin]

So I took the expander and decapping rod out of the die. Put some JB on a rag and spun the heck out of it with my DeWalt until it looked like chrome.

I've done the same with my mandrels and expander balls. First some 2,000 grit sandpaper to remove the tool marks and then finish with Flitz until it has a mirror surface. Like night and day with just the traditional lubes.

What some people call smooth ----- isn't.

 

[JEFFPPC]

6 to 30 is a pretty big jump. I size to 7 then to 30 using Imperial wax. I have done hundreds and have only lost 1 case. Yes, I have used STP mixed with Mobil One, it works but takes longer to clean up than to size the cases.I also use die wax for turning necks.Works very well for me and easy clean up.

 

[farmerjohn]

Carbide turning and expanding mandrels with Imperial wax, no problems in 30+ yes.Farmerjohn's 2 cents worth

 

[gmorganal]

I have used for several years a mixture of Mobil 1 Synthetic motor oil and STP 50/50. I have found it to work very well when turning case necks. After the case is turned, I stick a Q-TIp in the case neck and move it in and out while spinning the case. It gets all the lube out that I need to remove for fireforming purposes.

 

[Joe Maisto]

I use a pumpkin mandrel and turner. I lube with imperial. No problems whatsoever.

I've used the STP/Mobil 1 mix for turning before. It's slick. It's also very persistent and hard to clean up.

Let me see: I can get lanolin on my hands, or I can get sythetic motor oil....

Greg:

91% alcohol ( or 99%) cleans it up just fine. A Q tip inside the necks and a small rag with the alcohol for the outside. No need for me to try anything else.