question about mass case lubrication

[detritus]

I have around 1k once fired .223 cases and need to find a way to streamline lubing them.
the case lube i have on hand is the LEE brand paste type. so does anyone know of a way make application of this lube to a truckload of cases easier than dobbing a small amount on each case by hand??

TIA

[Rcher]

I have around 1k once fired .223 cases and need to find a way to streamline lubing them.
the case lube i have on hand is the LEE brand Alox based type. so does anyone know of a way make application of this lube to a buttload cases easier than dobbing a small amount on each case by hand??

That's my recipe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgsimvLoddo

[Earl Keese]

I use spray lube on pistol cases, but I always hand lube rifle.

[Wobbly]

Detritus -

First, Welcome Aboard !

Next, is this method needed because you use a case feeder ? If so, then the sprays by Hornady and Dillon are your commercial solutions. The Dillon is nothing more than the pre-made lanolin mixture highlighted in the video, but it works great. I suppose you could substitute a cake of Imperial Sizing Wax in place of the lanolin if you needed something with more lubricity.

If you're using something like a 550, then you could also roll 5-6 cases at a time on a lube pad. I did that for years until I stumbled onto the Dillon spray.

Hope this helps.

[david s]

I've not done 1000+ cases at once just a couple of hundred at a time with Hornady One Shot aerosol lube. It works well as long as you make an effort to get some in the majority of the case mouths so the expander in the die doesn't drag to much on the down stroke. It's not suppose to have an effect on powder or primers or increase bolt thrust. I tend to size and then tumble so can't really say weather or not those claims are true.

[newageroman]

I use the homeade lanolion with Red heet alcholol.
I use a big ziplock bag to throw about 3 or 4 good handfulls (~150) in and shake/settle them down on a hard surface so that some of them end up neck up. Then a good test mist against the inside edge of the bag (sometimes it streams at first = no good. Also shake the bottle before spraying).  Then a good 3 or four sweeping sprays inside the bag to get the inside of the necks. If you don't get the inside of the necks the expander will drag more on the upstroke and it just sucks. you could also dry lube the necks, I've never tried that. Zip it up and shake well for 20 secs, then dump in a cardboard box and load in 3 mins.

Just be aware that if you put it ON, you will have to get it OFF, most likely. I finish/dry tumbe in walnut to take the lube off. you can wipe off too. you can shoot with it on, but there is a noticible difference and seemed to gum up the action a bit more and attract burnt powder so I now cut it off all rounds.

I'm not saying this is the best route, but It seems to work for me. My biggest concern was contaminating the powder when spraying the necks, but as long as you don't super soaker the things, Ive never had a problem. I do rifle and pistol all the same. Ive reloaded about 5k rounds using this method and no issues related to contamination.

[detritus]

Detritus -



Next, is this method needed because you use a case feeder ?

Nope, just needing to lube because i'm full length resizing .223


in the end i've wound up sitting in the living room floor doing things the way i was trying to avoid, ie smearing a thin film of lube on each case.  I'm now about 75% done and need to check the shelves for another tube of lube (the first one has been in use for at least 15 years).
luckily as far as post sizing cleanup/lube removal i don't have to worry as much about powder contamination with the LEE lube as one has to with the oil based lubes. 

[Wobbly]

Next, is this method needed because you use a case feeder ?

Nope, just needing to lube because i'm full length resizing .223  In the end I've wound up sitting in the living room floor doing things the way i was trying to avoid, i.e. smearing a thin film of lube on each case.

Then you need a "Lube Pad". It's a large foam pad (like an ink stamp pad) soaked in the lanolin solution. Place it next to the press on the reloading bench or table. It doesn't sound fast, but you can roll 5 or 6 cases at a time, and the lube transfers in a VERY light and even coating.

You make it sound almost as if you are lubing the cases well in advance of the press work. I'm not sure that's going to work either. All these lubes will oxidize over time.

Try that.

[2morechains]

I use Hornady One-shot for .223 and pistol brass.  Dump 50 or so cases into a small tuperware, squirt, shake, squirt, let sit for a few minutes.

Larger rifle calibers I use Imperial wax, apply one at a time, but my reloading volume is usually 50-100 per session, not hundreds. 

[david s]

The RCBS case lube pad is on the right as Wobbly says it's quick and works well. The Imperial Sizing Die Wax (top left) gets used in case forming or heavy sizing (rarely). The bottom left is Imperial dry neck lube, basically little ceramic balls and powdered graphite and used for neck sizing. And the aerosol can is Hornady One Shot and what I generally use now for full length resizing. It works well with a minimal amount of fuss. The ONE Shot also makes a pretty good release agent when glass bedding. If you have a bunch of the Lee lube get a case lube pad if you only have a tube or two consider switching to the Hornady when it's gone.
                                                                                                                                 
               

[david s]

As an aside I use to use a Lee case lube product that came in a small tooth paste type tube. I think it was suppose to be water based. It's what was on the RCBS lube pad and hasn't been used in 20 years. The pad still felt ready to lube. Hadn't dried out or crusted.

[glen455]

I ordered some 1 shot on amazon  then cancelled after I read the msds.
HAZARD STATEMENTS (H):
H222- Extremely flammable aerosol. H225- Highly flammable liquid and vapor. H304- May be fatal
if swallowed and enters airways. H315- Causes skin irritation. H336- May cause drowsiness or
dizziness. H361- Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child. H373- May cause damage to
organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. H411- Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
then I bought lanolin

[joedirt199]

I make the lanolin/alcohol mix and spray it in a freezer bag then toss in the brass and shake them around in it. Works well and haven't had a stuck case yet.

[Wobbly]

Bottom line....

There's more ways to do it than you have brass ! 

[bang bang]

That's my recipe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgsimvLoddo

i just got some of the Dillon stuff.  Its the same as the video.

but what i noticed is that it will leave a residue so i use some mineral spirits to remove it.

and what i do is to use a small bucket.  Add 1 handfuls and spray, then shake/swirl and add another handful and spray then shake/swril.   it does a good job.

you cant do it all like that but its better than 1 at a time.

I guess if you want to try, you can make a big batch of the lube and get a seive and dunk as much as you can in the seive.  the only issue will be how will you get the excess out of the cases?    If you get too much lube on the case, you may start denting the shoulders.