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Re: Suggest a *bulk* lube for tough sizing/forming

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 2:06 pm
by StanDeasy
One product to avoid under all circs. is Hornady One Shot in the pump bottle (not the aerosol). Calling it a lubricant contravenes the Trade Description Act!!

I have had good results with the Lyman "Quick Slick" aerosol in normal resizing, not tried it with tough sizing or forming though.

Another option would be to get a full-length carbide die. You still have to lube cases, but they are much slicker than normal dies and less prone to galling. I think you can also get TiN-coated dies which may also be superior in this respect.

Re: Suggest a *bulk* lube for tough sizing/forming

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 2:13 pm
by GarethM
James K wrote:What about Hornady One-Shot Case Lube.
The aerosol was brilliant, but you can't get it at the moment. The pump action spray is so-so IMHO.

I tend to do 50 -> 100 cases at a time and have just started to use Ballistol (highly recommended on AccurateShooter). It was really effective, but I had a problem using "dusty" media in the tumbler, which stuck to the cases. I didn't have this problem with more granular media.

Have you thought about buying a cheapo ultrasonic to was the residue off?

Gareth

Re: Suggest a *bulk* lube for tough sizing/forming

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 2:34 pm
by rox
GarethM wrote:
James K wrote:What about Hornady One-Shot Case Lube.
The aerosol was brilliant, but you can't get it at the moment. The pump action spray is so-so IMHO.
I take it you have done tough sizing/forming with One-shot without problems then.
GarethM wrote:Have you thought about buying a cheapo ultrasonic to was the residue off?
My cheapo ultrasonic would do about 25 cases at a time. That means 200 cycles of loading and emptying to handle 5,000 cases.
My non-cheapo ultrasonc could probably handle 100 cases, so 'only' 50 cycles! Not particularly practical.

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Re: Suggest a *bulk* lube for tough sizing/forming

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 2:53 pm
by GarethM
I take it you have done tough sizing/forming with One-shot without problems then.
I was trying to differentiate between the two different types, but someone beat me to it

I don't know how you define "tough sizing" (so to put my comments in context), but I was full-length resizing 308s used in a P14, 303s, and also resized 400+ random/misc once-fired cases.

I have only ever had 2 cases stuck with the aerosol and both times it was my fault for not leaving it long enough to dry

Re: Suggest a *bulk* lube for tough sizing/forming

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 3:00 pm
by zanes
StanDeasy wrote:One product to avoid under all circs. is Hornady One Shot in the pump bottle (not the aerosol). Calling it a lubricant contravenes the Trade Description Act!!
+1. Utter, utter gash. Though given the interest when I sold the two bottles I had on, some people must get on with it.

OP- have you considered using a lube dispenser die (Dillon type of thing IIRC?)? Might need to be custom, and of course you'd need some sort of solvent to get the lube off, but another option and gets rid of the lube step at least (I'm presuming you're using at least a turret press for this operation?).

Re: Suggest a *bulk* lube for tough sizing/forming

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 3:01 pm
by rox
GarethM wrote:I don't know how you define "tough sizing" (so to put my comments in context), but I was full-length resizing 308s used in a P14, 303s, and also resized 400+ random/misc once-fired cases.
Good point. I guess I mean the type of sizing that starts to be beyond the capabilities of some lubes, particularly low viscosity spray lubes. Think swollen cases into tighter than most small base dies.

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Re: Suggest a *bulk* lube for tough sizing/forming

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 3:04 pm
by rox
zanes wrote:OP- have you considered using a lube dispenser die (Dillon type of thing IIRC?)? Might need to be custom
I looked at them once and thought 'naaah'. Since then I know one person who has tried (and tried and tried and tried) to get them to work in this kind of application. He was not successful. He is the guy who cuts my chambers and makes custom stuff for me - I kind of respect his engineering abilities.

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Re: Suggest a *bulk* lube for tough sizing/forming

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 4:01 pm
by phaedra1106
Well I've just crunched down 150 x 308Win cases into 6.5 Creedmoor using RCBS Case Slick and not a single stuck case. That was quite a tough job and it worked perfectly :)

Re: Suggest a *bulk* lube for tough sizing/forming

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2015 4:20 pm
by Blu
and all the comments I've seen that specifically relate to using One-Shot with forming or small-base sizing say "Don't!".
rox, I've been using small based dies for my AR reloads for a few years now mate along with Hornady One Shot and never had a problem with it.

Re: Suggest a *bulk* lube for tough sizing/forming

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 9:07 am
by rox

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

Blu - thanks; I think this task is slightly more challenging than regular small base sizing (which works fine with my lanolin/Dillon lube), but I'll bear One-shot in mind.

phaedra - 'Case Slick' sounds perfect, except for availability and price.


Below are some more options I've identified in my research (not all suitable for bulk/spray use). I'll be trying the first option, and comparing with a new lanolin/alchohol mix at a higher lanlin concentration.
  • Lee lube (water based wax) diluted with alcohol for spray use. Wax-based, so good for forming (like Imperial wax), but in spray form it's easy to apply in bulk, dies quickly and also easy to remove.
    Takes a little effort to initially mix, but thereafter a quick shake before each use is sufficient.
  • GB Wire Aide (wire pulling lube) is apparently very similar to diluted Lee. Expensive in UK.
  • STP, good but messy and difficut to remove (might come off with tumbling). ("If you like STP for case sizing you might want to try Wynn's Friction proofer or Lucas oil treatment")
  • Mobil Vactra No 2 Way Oil
  • 4 parts Iso-HEET 1 part Liquid Lanolin
  • Alberto VO-5 (!)
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