Suggest a *bulk* lube for tough sizing/forming

[James K]

The last one might help with split ends/case necks.

Why are you having to size the cases down so much, have they been fired on oversize chambers or are the for an undersize chamber using a custom die?

There is lots of information available about wildcat forming but most of that is not 'bulk' so the lube is not sprayed on an Imperial Sizing Wax is normally used.

[rox]

The last one might help with split ends/case necks.

hmmmmm....

Why are you having to size the cases down so much, have they been fired on oversize chambers or are the for an undersize chamber using a custom die?

Potentially a bit of both.

There is lots of information available about wildcat forming but most of that is not 'bulk' so the lube is not sprayed on an Imperial Sizing Wax is normally used.

Exactly.

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[rox]

Quick follow-up with some results...

I was looking for a cost-effective bulk lube (i.e. something that could be sprayed) that would work for tough sizing requirements where lanolin & alcohol lube (e.g. Dillon or home made) was failing and leading to multiple stuck cases.

One suggestion I'd seen elsewhere was Lee lube diluted with alcohol to make it sprayable. I ordered some of this (at about £5.00) to try out. I tried a 1:3 then 1:4 mix, but the lube didn't dissolve despite lots of effort and warmth, and it left a lumpy 'curdled' mixture that I thought would clog the sprayer. However, it did spray, and once dry (leaving a 'milky' residue on the surface) the lube worked brilliantly; the sizing that defeated lanolin + alcohol proved no obstacle. The lube is apparently wax based, and the lube of choice for smaller volumes would, of course, be Imperial sizing wax. Perhaps a stronger lanolin mix might have worked, but others certainly seem to have reached the limits of lanolin lube in demanding circumstances.

As it turned out, I found that I actually didn't need to squeeze the base down as much as I thought for this chamber - the base did need moderately tight sizing, but there was also an issue at the other end which was easily overcome; I can continue with lanolin lube, but if ever the need arises I now know I have an alternative for more demanding scenarios.


Hope this might be useful to others.

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[dromia]

The lee stuff is a wire pulling lubricant.

It is the only lube that I have ever had a stuck case with.

[rox]

The lee stuff is a wire pulling lubricant.

It is the only lube that I have ever had a stuck case with.

If everyone avoided every lube that anyone had ever stuck a case with...

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[dromia]

I just avoid the stuff I've had a stuck case with.