Is there an alcohol-soluble lubricant suitable for application to neck turning cutting mandrels?

[Cassidy]

It would be nice to use an alcohol-soluble neck turning lubricant on neck-turning cutting mandrels (cutting mandrels that fit inside case necks when turning the casenecks) to facilitate removal of the lubricant on the inside of the case neck before proceeding with the remainder of case prep and loading powder (so the powder does not stick to the lubricant). Do you know of an alcohol-soluble lubricant suitable for this purpose?

 

[6BRA]

Mason jar and acetone...drop them in swish around remove and they flash off quick

 

[rockhound78]

Wonder if you could use RCBS case lube in a 70% alcohol solution? IIRC, the case lube is water soluble and the alcohol solution is 30 % water, so should be miscible.

Hmm, might have to mix some up and try it when I turn necks.

 

[JSH]

Alcohol depends on %. I have some lab grade that will almost take the stripes off of a coons tail.

I don’t think acetone is any more volatile than high% alcohol, acetone may be cheaper and easier to get.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Anhydrous lanolin is a common base ingredient in alcohol based case lubes as well as bullet making lube. I've used it for neck turning in the past. It's really slick and works well.
I wash new bullets in lacquer thinner or acetone all the time. I'm sure alcohol will do the job but acetone or thinner are much more aggressive.

 

[Cassidy]

Just to clarify my question, I use a lanolin based lubricant on my cutting mandrel. However, my gunsmith (who is a beyond superb BR shooter) uses a "secret" clear somewhat clumpy gel-like lubricant that he said he makes by mixing two solutions the identity of which he has not divulged. He said he mixes these two solutions (one that is clear and one that is colored - I think he said red but not sure) in a 5 gallon drum which lasts him decades, and applies the resulting clear gel-like lubricant to his cutting mandrel. I watched him apply this lubricant to his cutting mandrel with a Q-stick and turn some case necks. It works pretty well, but I don't know what it is. He said it's alcohol soluble, inferring that the inside of the case necks are easy to clean with cotton swabs dipped in alcohol. Trying to figure out which two solutions he uses and in what proportions to make this lubricant. Any thoughts?

 

[ReedG]

Lee sizing lube is the best.

 

[F Class John]

This guy has a great lube for turning necks. I think it's either what you're looking for or pretty darn close. I've tested it and it does exactly what you're looking to do. He's a really small business but you can reach out to him for more technical answers and he's really responsive.

Sandro Caroselli

Sandro Caroselli. 845 likes · 52 talking about this. Delta Carbon Precision C E O (No weapons or gear are Sales)

www.facebook.com

sandrocaroselli@gmail.com

 

[Tommie]

I’ve used Lock Ease. Dunno if it’s alcohol based but it sure dries fast and clean.

 

[DiffEQ]

Isopropyl (99%) and refined coconut oil. I use a 50:50 mix.
While I haven't tried it on case necks, its the only lube I use for resizing cases or making wild cats, like turning 375 Ruger into 7mm LRM.
The big difference between it and any other case lube, including lanolin mix, is no shoulder dents at all, no matter how wet.
To get an idea if how well it works, I used to use Tap-Free or Alum Tap to tap holes (recipes from the '80s) to avoid binding. I found the coconut oil mix works just as well with no stink.
On Tap Free, they changed the recipe some time in the early 90's - probably to get rid of carcinogens - and the stuff never worked as well as the original.

 

[INShooter]

A mixture of Mobil One and STP works well for turning necks. Clean out the necks after turning with a Q Tip and alcohol.

 

[Muzza]

F Class John has mentioned Sandro's product, "Delta Carbon No Oil Lube" It is actually water soluble.
I have tested the product myself and it gives a great surface finish when neck turning, once the product dries it leaves a non sticky, so powder doesn't stick in the necks. It also seems to improve seating consistency.
Win-Win. Well worth a try.

 

[JSH]

A five gallon bucket of neck lube, that should just about enough for everyone one on this board.

 

[Bc'z]

Seal 1

 

[JackWagon]

I use the RCBS lube thinned down with denatured alcohol and after turning drop them in a mason jar to clean it off and then to the vibratory tumbler.

 

[Killick]

I just go right from neck turning to full length sizing (Sinclair case lube) with a bushing. Then they into the corn media vibrater. I don’t see a need to clean before sizing when I’m going to run them through the corn media.

 

[FNSafari]

It would be nice to use an alcohol-soluble neck turning lubricant on neck-turning cutting mandrels (cutting mandrels that fit inside case necks when turning the casenecks) to facilitate removal of the lubricant on the inside of the case neck before proceeding with the remainder of case prep and loading powder (so the powder does not stick to the lubricant). Do you know of an alcohol-soluble lubricant suitable for this purpose?

You've had no or bad luck with Imperial size wax?

 

[DocBII]

Cassidy,

While I haven't tried the Redding water soluble lube with alcohol to remove it, water on a Q-tip for inside the necks or washing in Dawn and Lemi-shine works on the outside of the cases. My inquiry to Redding about diluting it with water had a response of "We don't recommend that."

HTH,
DocB

 

[urbanrifleman]

Isopropyl (99%) and refined coconut oil. I use a 50:50 mix.
While I haven't tried it on case necks, its the only lube I use for resizing cases or making wild cats, like turning 375 Ruger into 7mm LRM.
The big difference between it and any other case lube, including lanolin mix, is no shoulder dents at all, no matter how wet.
To get an idea if how well it works, I used to use Tap-Free or Alum Tap to tap holes (recipes from the '80s) to avoid binding. I found the coconut oil mix works just as well with no stink.
On Tap Free, they changed the recipe some time in the early 90's - probably to get rid of carcinogens - and the stuff never worked as well as the original.

You mix it 50/50 and spray it on for case lube?

 

[DiffEQ]

You mix it 50/50 and spray it on for case lube?

Not sprayed. I spoon it onto a layer of felt sitting in an old fridge tray. Lately, with the cold outside, my loading area is 52°, and the mix is semi-solid. If I need more added to the felt in those temperatures, I take a butter knife and spread some on the felt. Just the pressure and friction generates enough heat that the mix liquefies.
I'll drop a bunch of cases onto the tray, roll them one or two revolutions, and get to work.
There's very little clean-up on the case needed, if at all, and it doesn't discolor the brass over time, or stink, like lanolin. I've been using the same jar for the past five years.
Since it's "organic", I feel I have done my ESD duty for the day when I use it.
Pictured below, I have a bunch of 300 Savage laying in the trough, before rolling them.
Second picture, I've put my hand on 14 of them, rolled back and forth 2x (four motions), and they are well lubed. I don't know if you can tell by the photo, but if you pick it up and feel the case, you can tell.
The 45/70 in the load tray are ones I sized earlier this week.
Edit to add: I believe the felt source was an old Christmas stocking that I repurposed.
Pre-rolled:


After rolling: