Lock-N-Load press, case lube?

SIGP220 · February 19, 2010, 07:51 PM

Some reloaders use case lube for their resizing, even though they are using nitride dies. My question is, with Hornady dies, is case lubing for resizing desirable, more optional, or a waste of time? I am one who is more careful than fast, and it seems that brass resizes easier with the Hornady case lube spray. Reloading 32, 380 and 9mm, 38/357, 45, 223 and 308 so far. Will be adding 30-06 and that should do it for awhile. My sons both reloaded before me, and they do not use case lube at all, but I would rather ask and get input. Santa brought me the new press, dies and shellplates and tumbler and electronic balance and I got all the primers, powder, bullets and other stuff. I was pleasantly surprised that you can order up to 50 pounds of powder on ONE hazmat fee.

Gee, I sure hope that is enough for now.

plainsman456 · February 20, 2010, 12:24 AM

It does a bit better with lube and the dies will last longer.

Waldog · February 20, 2010, 01:10 AM

If you don't use case lube on bigger cases like the 30.06. You WILL have a stuck case. Use One Shot, or similar spray lube on pistol and 223 cases. Regular case lube on 308 sized cases and above.

Shoney · February 20, 2010, 01:32 AM

For straight wall pistol cases, no lube is necessary. However, you will notice smoother sizing if you lube 1/10 with Imperial Sizing Wax or equivalent, for about.

For all bottleneck case, you must lube each case. In my 5 decades of reloading, Imperial Sizing Wax is one of the top lubes. I bought 2 tiny tins, and that will probably last til they drag me away.

Most people do not realize that the Titanium Nitride has a higher Bn thab carbide. You are not likely to wear them out if you clean and lube them regularly.

impactco · February 20, 2010, 01:47 PM

+1 for Imperial Sizing Wax for .308 or larger. I have never stuck a case using it. One Shot or Dillon lube in copious amounts works well for smaller cases like .223.

mongoose33 · February 20, 2010, 02:23 PM

If it's a bottle-neck rifle case, I use case lube.

If it's a straight-wall handgun case, I never do.

The whole idea of a carbide or nitride sizing die is to eliminate the hassle of lubing, and then cleaning after lubing. I'd far rather buy a new die once in a blue moon--or simply have a spare in case it wore out--than fool with lube.

BTW If you're using a LNL AP press: I have an RCBS lube die that has an integral decapping pin; you can set up your press to lube and decap in station one, and resize in station two, combining and greatly speeding up the process.

I have the X-Die for my brass (.223) which means I can truly progressively reload since w/ the X-Die I don't have to trim and I can lube as part of the process.

mrawesome22 · February 20, 2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Some reloaders use case lube for their resizing, even though they are using nitride dies. My question is, with Hornady dies, is case lubing for resizing desirable, more optional, or a waste of time?

Waste of time.

SIGP220 · February 20, 2010, 02:48 PM

Looks like about 4 optional use of lube for the straight wall cases and 2 waste of time replies. Not a scientific poll, but gives me the impression that it is worth my time to lube using the One-Shot spray and then regular lube for the larger caliber reload sizing. The spray is not much of a hassle to me and might extend the life of my dies a bit. Thanks for the input.

mrawesome22 · February 20, 2010, 02:55 PM

I'd post a poll if I were you.

"When do you lube straight walled cases in carbide dies?"
1. Always.
2. Never.
3. It depends...

mongoose33 · February 20, 2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Looks like about 4 optional use of lube for the straight wall cases and 2 waste of time replies. Not a scientific poll, but gives me the impression that it is worth my time to lube using the One-Shot spray and then regular lube for the larger caliber reload sizing. The spray is not much of a hassle to me and might extend the life of my dies a bit. Thanks for the input.

I'm very surprised.

I've done literally thousands of handgun cases through my dies, and never once have I lubed them. It's just not important--that's the whole point of carbide or nitride dies--so you don't have to do it.

If you think that four people doing it (for reasons that are absolutely unclear) outweigh two people who never do it and can't see any reason for doing it, then you should spend the extra time and money lubing the cases and then having to clean that lube off. It'll make you feel better.

As for me, I'd rather not. There just isn't a benefit if you're using carbide or nitride dies.

If you're talking about bottleneck rifle cases, it's a different story. You'll only have to get a stuck case once to understand why it's important to lube.

But handgun cases? It *is* a waste of time, because there is no outcome benefit for lubing such cases if you use carbide or nitride dies (after tumbling clean), and there are significant costs for lubing them, both in time and money.

February 19, 2010, 07:51 PM	#1
SIGP220 Junior Member Join Date: May 6, 2009 Posts: 6	Lock-N-Load press, case lube? Some reloaders use case lube for their resizing, even though they are using nitride dies. My question is, with Hornady dies, is case lubing for resizing desirable, more optional, or a waste of time? I am one who is more careful than fast, and it seems that brass resizes easier with the Hornady case lube spray. Reloading 32, 380 and 9mm, 38/357, 45, 223 and 308 so far. Will be adding 30-06 and that should do it for awhile. My sons both reloaded before me, and they do not use case lube at all, but I would rather ask and get input. Santa brought me the new press, dies and shellplates and tumbler and electronic balance and I got all the primers, powder, bullets and other stuff. I was pleasantly surprised that you can order up to 50 pounds of powder on ONE hazmat fee. Gee, I sure hope that is enough for now.

February 20, 2010, 01:10 AM	#3
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 359	If you don't use case lube on bigger cases like the 30.06. You WILL have a stuck case. Use One Shot, or similar spray lube on pistol and 223 cases. Regular case lube on 308 sized cases and above. __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!! “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill

February 20, 2010, 01:32 AM	#4
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	For straight wall pistol cases, no lube is necessary. However, you will notice smoother sizing if you lube 1/10 with Imperial Sizing Wax or equivalent, for about. For all bottleneck case, you must lube each case. In my 5 decades of reloading, Imperial Sizing Wax is one of the top lubes. I bought 2 tiny tins, and that will probably last til they drag me away. Most people do not realize that the Titanium Nitride has a higher Bn thab carbide. You are not likely to wear them out if you clean and lube them regularly. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

February 20, 2010, 02:48 PM	#8
SIGP220 Junior Member Join Date: May 6, 2009 Posts: 6	thanks Looks like about 4 optional use of lube for the straight wall cases and 2 waste of time replies. Not a scientific poll, but gives me the impression that it is worth my time to lube using the One-Shot spray and then regular lube for the larger caliber reload sizing. The spray is not much of a hassle to me and might extend the life of my dies a bit. Thanks for the input.

February 20, 2010, 12:24 AM	#2
plainsman456 Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2008 Posts: 260	It does a bit better with lube and the dies will last longer.

February 20, 2010, 01:47 PM	#5
impactco Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Posts: 102	+1 for Imperial Sizing Wax for .308 or larger. I have never stuck a case using it. One Shot or Dillon lube in copious amounts works well for smaller cases like .223.

February 20, 2010, 02:23 PM	#6
mongoose33 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 228	If it's a bottle-neck rifle case, I use case lube. If it's a straight-wall handgun case, I never do. The whole idea of a carbide or nitride sizing die is to eliminate the hassle of lubing, and then cleaning after lubing. I'd far rather buy a new die once in a blue moon--or simply have a spare in case it wore out--than fool with lube. BTW If you're using a LNL AP press: I have an RCBS lube die that has an integral decapping pin; you can set up your press to lube and decap in station one, and resize in station two, combining and greatly speeding up the process. I have the X-Die for my brass (.223) which means I can truly progressively reload since w/ the X-Die I don't have to trim and I can lube as part of the process.

February 20, 2010, 02:55 PM	#9
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	I'd post a poll if I were you. "When do you lube straight walled cases in carbide dies?" 1. Always. 2. Never. 3. It depends...