lanolin vs imperial

[Benchrest Braxton]

I've exclusively used imperial sizing wax for about 2 years now since I started seriously reloading for precision.

I bought a bunch of premade 8:1 and 16:1 IPA/lanolin mix a few years back and never ended up trying it.

While sizing a batch of 223 last night I was becoming impatient rather quickly with applying each individual case with imperial wax.

I decided to finally break out the lanolin mix and see how it did. After some time the lanolin and alcohol separates in the solution and the lanolin settles at the bottom. In my case, the lanolin has probably been settled at the bottom for about 3 years. But after some vigorous shaking for about a minute or two I was able to get most of it off the bottom.

I put the remaining 90 223 cases into a ziplock bag and screwed my sprayer onto the lanolin mixture. I probably pumped about 10 sprays into the bag, closed it and started mixing them around to try and distribute the mix evenly.

I then dumped the contents into an akro bin and let it sit for about 5 minutes for the alcohol to flash off. It still seemed a little wet so i gave it about 10 more minutes. This time they seemed pretty dry and the cases seemed to have a decent film on them so I started sizing with them.

All the cases sized just as easily as the imperial wax, maybe even a little bit easier. As I got closer to the bottom of the akro bin there seemed to be a little pooling of the solution, seemed to be a bit of the alcohol that didn't flash off, and some of the cases were soaked at the bottom. So I had to dab it out with a paper towel.

Also noted that after mixing the cases in the ziplock bag, that the inside of the cases were wet with the solution as well. But after I finished sizing I put all of the cases in a rotary tumbler with rice for 3 hours, when I woke up this morning to see the results, all the lanolin came off inside and out and seemed squeaky clean, so not a big deal.

All in all I was pretty happy with the results and time savings. There definitely seems to be a little bit of a learning curve with how much you spray in the bag to prevent excess. I suppose you could set them up in a loading block and apply it like hornady one shot, but I will continue to opt for the ziplock method. 16:1 seemed to be adequate for the 223 brass, not sure it the 8:1 would prove better on larger cases like a 300 rum. I plan on reporting back after much use with a more perfected method.

 

[Jefferson]

the question is does your brass fit the chamber

using other methods of sizing lube produce different measurements after being run through the sizing die

 

[RegionRat]

Better late than never.....

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

the question is does your brass fit the chamber

using other methods of sizing lube produce different measurements after being run through the sizing die

great question, in my factory chamber, i'm not too concerned as its pretty forgiving. But I should have taken some measurents, next go around I will leave a few cases out to compare directly against imperial.

 

[Eagle Six]

I used to use lanolin (Dillon). I would lay brass out side by side in a row in a carboard lid like comes on a box of copy paper. I would give the row of brass a shot moving down the row. Lift up the end so the row of brass rolled 180° and spray the again. This pretty much cover the brass body 360°. Let air dry for about 10 minutes and it was ready to go. When I first did this I got more lube than needed, but only took a couple times to get it just right. I did a few thousands rounds of 308 that way.

I now us One-Shot, but if I didn't have it I would revert back to Dillon and need to find a box lid!!

 

[rsbhunter]

In a gallon bag with 50-60 6 dasher cases I use one pump of 10-1 mix. Roll them around and then stand them up to "flash" off the 99% isopropyl alcohol. About 5 minutes is plenty, cases might feel slightly sticky, but works great ! Use it exclusively on 300 RUM to 223 , and not one stuck case! rsbhunter

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

I used to use lanolin (Dillon). I would lay brass out side by side in a row in a carboard lid like comes on a box of copy paper. I would give the row of brass a shot moving down the row. Lift up the end so the row of brass rolled 180° and spray the again. This pretty much cover the brass body 360°. Let air dry for about 10 minutes and it was ready to go. When I first did this I got more lube than needed, but only took a couple times to get it just right. I did a few thousands rounds of 308 that way.

I now us One-Shot, but if I didn't have it I would revert back to Dillon and need to find a box lid!!

that dillon looks really nice for someone not wanting to mix your own, wonder what the concentration is on it.

Why did you switch to one shot?

 

[WSnyder]

In a gallon bag with 50-60 6 dasher cases I use one pump of 10-1 mix. Roll them around and then stand them up to "flash" off the 99% isopropyl alcohol. About 5 minutes is plenty, cases might feel slightly sticky, but works great ! Use it exclusively on 300 RUM to 223 , and not one stuck case! rsbhunter

I do basically the same thing but use a small ish waste bin bag. Throw all the brass in (100), spray a couple of shots of home brew lanolin mix into the bag then swish the bag back and forth lifting one side of the bag and then the other until everything is evenly coated. I dump them out on a cookie sheet to let the alcohol flash off.

 

[markm87]

This seems overly complicated. I too use Dillon DCL. I keep an old Stouffer's Lasagna tray for spraying brass.

Just toss 100 or so pieces in the tray, pump 5-6 times, swish the brass around with my hand, and go!

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

This seems overly complicated. I too use Dillon DCL. I keep an old Stouffer's Lasagna tray for spraying brass.

Just toss 100 or so pieces in the tray, pump 5-6 times, swish the brass around with my hand, and go!

i probably would have used that if i knew about it a few years back, but now I am stuck with like 6-8 bottles of this homemade stuff.

if anyone near central PA wants to try some come on over and grab a bottle

 

[Eagle Six]

that dillon looks really nice for someone not wanting to mix your own, wonder what the concentration is on it.

Why did you switch to one shot?

I would probably mix my own today, but have no idea what the Dillon ratio is.

A couple years ago I needed lube and I needed it right now, couldn't wait for shipping. The local dealer doesn't carry Dillon but they did have the One-Shot stuff, so I decided to try it thinking it would be an adventure. Turned out it worked pretty good, so I have just been using it and how I position the brass is a bit nicer, at least for me.

 

[Hino895]

I mix my own 10-1 ratio.
I use a 3lb margarine bowl with a lid.
Add brass squirt three times from a spray bottle apply lid and shake.
Take the lid off let sit while you fire up cigar and pour another bourbon.
Should be ready to start sizing.

 

[Alguapo]

Can't wait to read the replies......................... I use the lanolin with the Heat red bottle. Been doing it for about 3 years now. Very good stuff and very cost affective. I use a big plastic bin , I have to be careful apparently the brass can sound like breaking glass and has set of my home alarm system.

 

[rsbhunter]

I bought a 4oz bottle of lanolin oil, use about 1-1/2 Oz per pint of 99% isopropyl. The bottle of lanolin I've had for about 4 years!!!! I will not critique any other product, I have used most, but I will never switch from the homebrew! rsb

 

[Cecil S.]

Back in the day I sized many LC 308 to 6.5 Creedmoor it was a great learning curve and I am glad i did it. I used the Lanolin and alcohol as lube and didnt stick one case. Today I just use Starline brass, but I still have many LC 308 should I need them.

 

[Dimner]

I use the 90% 99% rubbing alcohol and lanolin mix. I use an old 6 cup Tupperware type container. I probably over lube the cases, but I'm not worried.

I lube about 15-20 at a time. I first stand up all the cases and give it three sprays at an angle so the mouths get some lube. Then I shake so they tumble randomly for like 5 seconds then give it three more sprays. Swirl for about 30 seconds. That's it.

How ever you do it, just be consistent and you will get consistent resizing results

Edit: changed 90 to 99%

 

[ricco1949]

I use 1oz of lab grade lanolin from EBay or Amazon with 1 bottle of 99% alcohol, IIRC that's about 12/1.

Throw about 150-200 223s on a cookie sheet, spray about 4-5 sprays across the brass, tip the whole sheet back and forth a few times to roll the brass, let the alcohol flash off, and size away.

It's the best and fastest sizing method I've used in 49 years of reloading.

Rick M.

 

[sparky123321]

I used Imperial case lube forever and love it, especially for any forming or necking down.

However, if doing any volume, I just dump all brass in a box after cleaning in SS pins and annealing and hit them with Hornady One Shot case Lube and shake it around a little.

No fuss no muss and it works just as good as the Imperial for normal case resizing. A quick 20-30 minutes in corn cob and I'm ready to go.

 

[centershot]

Friend gave me some lanolin that he got online. Just put some on my fingers and lube the casing with it. Don't mix it. No problems. Not hard to clean up.

 

[762willdo]

Check all your shoulders……..