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?
Is there an alcohol-soluble lubricant suitable for application to neck turning cutting mandrels?
- Thread starter Cassidy
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rockhound78
Silver $$ Contributor
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.
Hmm, might have to mix some up and try it when I turn necks.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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Sandro Caroselli
Sandro Caroselli. 834 likes · 93 talking about this. “ Ad Utrumque Paratus …. “ 2019 Winner of Emerald Cup Ireland Delta Carbon Precision C E O
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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.
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.
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.
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.
FNSafari
Gold $$ Contributor
You've had no or bad luck with Imperial size wax?
I remember the first time I turned necks, I was quite nervous about which lube to use and how to clean the ID’s when in result there was very little heat from the mandrel and nothing much left over that a simple Q tip couldn’t remove.
DocBII
Gold $$ Contributor
Cassidy,
While I haven't tried the Redding water soluble lube with alcohol to remove it, water on a Q-tip for inside the necks or washing in Dawn and Lemi-shine works on the outside of the cases. My inquiry to Redding about diluting it with water had a response of "We don't recommend that."
HTH,
DocB
While I haven't tried the Redding water soluble lube with alcohol to remove it, water on a Q-tip for inside the necks or washing in Dawn and Lemi-shine works on the outside of the cases. My inquiry to Redding about diluting it with water had a response of "We don't recommend that."
HTH,
DocB
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
You mix it 50/50 and spray it on for case lube?
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