Question, Homemade case lube ratio....

[B Mize]

Lanolin oil and 99% alchol.
I've read anywhere rom 1-16 to 4-12.

How much do you use.

Thanks

 

[jonbearman]

As long as it will spray out of a sprayer I would go with more lanolin and of course make sure you let all the alcohol evaporate before sizing. If you try to size right away you will stick a case in your die. After drying make sure you can feel the lube on the case so you are sure it will work.

 

[Joe Salt]

Why does everyone seem to dislike the Die Wax? Never had a stuck case ever.

joe Salt

 

[navyrad8r]

I use about 20% lanolin and 80% rubbing alcohol...make sure you shake well before each use!! looks like spray butter.
cheers,
Doc

 

[1idcat]

I use a 1:12 lanolin to alcohol mix. Works great!

 

[dieselmudder]

i started with the 4 to 1 ratio, 16 oz 99% alcohol, 4 oz lanolin, seemed a bit heavy on the lanolin. i just added 2 more oz of 91% alcohol. have only done a handful of cases. may add more alcohol. the folks i got my recipe from said they had good luck with a 6 to 1 ratio. also i have found that the lanolin will seperate at cold tempreatures.

 

[Joe R]

I use straight petroleum jelly (PJ) and I've never had a stuck case since. It is even slicker than ISW so you have to use even less of ISW or you'll get lubrication dimples. $2 will get you 13 oz. jar. I still use the ISW can, but I refill it with PJ. No mixing or anything just buy it anywhere and you're good to go.

Kindest regards,

Joe

 

[B Mize]

I've been using the Dillon branded mix for a couple of years, just want to mix my own and save some money.

Thanks

 

[Ropemaker]

Another option for a homemade lube I used some time back while making/swagging bullets was a 50 / 50 mix of lanolin and castor oil.

This mix was recommended by Dave Corbin's book "DISCOVER SWAGGING" for core swagging and final bullet form swagging. All it took was a light film just like Imperial Wax, which wasn't available at the time.

This 50/50 mix was a start, adjusted it a bit due to temps, as it separates over time and needed mixing. What is also good is that it is water soluble, takes a hot water bath and drying to clean up. I suppose you could degrease with some fast drying solutions like alcohol, brake cleaner or carb cleaner, never tried them at the time.

I can see where the alcohol and lanolin mix eliminates that step due to alcohol evaporating.

Just another thought on home made lubes.

BTW, also used the lanolin/castor oil mix to form 25/35 case from 30'30 & 32 WinSpec cases and was a bit more successful with it over regular die lube [pre Imperial Wax days], didn't get as many lube dimples.

Don

 

[Joe R]

Here's link to all kinds Homemade Firearm Cleaners & Lubricants

www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm

Kindest regards,

Joe

 

[michaelnel]

Why does everyone seem to dislike the Die Wax? Never had a stuck case ever.

joe Salt

Dunno, Joe. I used a lot of different case lubes before someone tipped me to Imperial Die Wax. Now I wouldn't use anything else for precision rifle cartridges.

I do use Dillon's pump spray lube (alcohol and lanolin) when loading pistol / revolver ammo on my Dillon 550 though, mostly because of ease of application. Batch lubing the cases beforehand seems to work better for me with the progressive press.

 

[lpreddick]

the site mentioned by Joe R is great and i'v tried many of the recipes. melting anhydrous lanolin and adding atf and 10-w 30 of varying amounts makes a great case lube. you have to wipe it off and the white rag i use turns black in very short order...the brass is shiney and really clean.

 

[chrisben]

I'm using 1:16 Lanolin to 99% Isopropyl.

Works fine for me for re-sizing already formed cases, (223, 308, 30/06 fired in factory chambers). Seems to stay in suspension forever at room temperature, and has the same feel side by side the Dillon Lube. Applies super easialy, place cases in a shoe box, necks rattle them so teh necks face mostly upward, spray at an angle to get some inside the necks.

For re-forming cartridges into different cartridges, I use Imperial Wax.

 

[Webster]

I came across a low vis oil you can purchase at AutoZone. It's called AutoZone Hyraulic Fluid for Snow Plows. It wasn't on the shelf they had it stored in the back room. It's as clear as water. Just FL sized 50 6BR cases with it, no problems. $6.85/qt. enough for 100 life times. Wipes off easily with a paper towel.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

I'm with Joe Salt and 99% of benchrest shooters. Use imperial sizing die wax.
A variant of that treatment would be Carmex Lip Balm. Available at almost department and drug stores and on line at www.my armed.com. And this is also Made in U.S.A. In Wisconsin.

 

[michaelnel]

I'm with Joe Salt and 99% of benchrest shooters. Use imperial sizing die wax.

I am amazed at what a tiny amount of it is sufficient. When sizing cases, I just wipe one finger of my left hand on the stuff and it's plenty to lubricate 5-6 cases before I have to get another dab. Great stuff, and it doesn't get all over in places you don't want it. I just kind of rub the lower sides of the case with my fingers as I put the case in the press. Looks like that little can will last me the rest of my life (but then I don't even buy green bananas any more).

 

[Webster]

Sounds like just about any decent lube will work unless your doing radical case reforming. Buy based on price, availability, no blending clean up and ect. Can someone explain spray lubing cases? Do you have to turn them and spray twice? Does lube get in side the neck.

 

[B Mize]

Didn't realize this thread was still going.

I ended up trying 16:2. worked fine.

Webster, I lay the cases out in a row(several rows actually), give them a lite spray, roll them over half way with the palm of my hand and give another lite spray. Let them dry for 5 or so minutes and start sizing.

A lot of folks put cases in a gallon ziploc bag, spray and shake. I like my method better.

Does not really get into the neck, but I'm not pulling an expaner ball back through so no lube needed.

Thanks again or the information.

 

[navyrad8r]

FWIW,
I use an empty coffee can just for lubing cases grab a few hundred toss them in and with a couple of sprays, put the lid on and shake the little buggers. pop the top and get rolling.
Cheers,
Doc
P.S. rinse all the grounds out before first use

 

[Canuck257]

How do you guys remove the lube or don't you bother? I have always been told not to chamber a lubed case.