Pam Spray Case Lube: The Madness of it All!

Texas Rifleman · May 21, 2009, 02:37 PM

It's been covered briefly but I want to hear from people that actually do it...

- Do what?

- Use Pam cooking spray as a case lube.

If you're one of these people (don't be ashamed) tell us how you do it and the process you take.

Does it work?
Is it harmful to primers and powder?
How do you clean it off...if you clean it off?

I'm not really interested in hearsay or "I only use Imperial Case Wax!" I want to hear from people that use Pam cooking spray or other cooking spray and what their pros and cons are on the subject.

**Mike Irwin** · May 21, 2009, 03:25 PM

My only concern with using Pam is that it's an organic oil with an alcohol carrier/solvent.

Organic oils tend to decompose very quickly; when they decompose, they tend to get sticky and are a lot harder to remove.

It would require very thorough cleaning of the cases to get all traces of it off, and the dies would also need to be cleaned very thoroughly.

Other than that, I don't see any reason at all why it wouldn't work.

FALPhil · May 21, 2009, 04:08 PM

Mike is right, PAM and store generics are not the way to go.

I went down to the local drugstore, got some lanolin "nipple cream" and some 98% isopropyl alcohol and mixed it in a spray bottle with some BBs. I let it soak in hot water for a few minutes, shake it real good, and spray away.

It's cheap, it wipes off with a terry towel, and it work well.

I also use finger-applied mink oil for my precision ammo on the single stage.

PCJim · May 21, 2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

I went down to the local drugstore, got some lanolin "nipple cream"

FALPhil, I appreciate your post. I've been trying to find pure lanolin and the employees at a local Walgreens could not direct me to it. Many thanks.

Gazzmann · May 22, 2009, 10:22 AM

Ever try "Jig-A-Loo" dry spray lube? Very clean and easy to use.

**Mike Irwin** · May 22, 2009, 11:19 AM

You can order pure lanolin very easily via the internet.

You could also start keeping sheep.

Texas Rifleman · May 23, 2009, 01:04 AM

The reason I ask is that I've heard of many people doing it and wanted to see for myself. I sprayed about 100 cases with a few squirts in a zip-lock bag. They ran through the press better than with the Lee Sizing lube I was using. There was only an extremely thin layer on the cases. After sizing and depriming I tumbled the cases for about a 1/2 hour. I noticed some of the cases had a little corn cob media inside the case that couldn't be shaken out. I left these alone. The next day I primed the cases. Soon I will load them with Varget and see how they perform.

PCJim · May 24, 2009, 09:26 AM

I'll just go to the local drug store and get the nipple cream and avoid the S&H costs. Besides, it might be fun to walk up to a young, cute store employee and ask where I might find it in the store.

SamStafford · May 24, 2009, 09:56 AM

Good idea. Might have to try that Pam spray. Keep them ideas rolling.

MADISON · May 24, 2009, 10:59 AM

You can use any number of lubricants and more...
Spray cans
Pad lubricants
Waxes
The wife's K-Y jelley

Dragon55 · May 24, 2009, 11:02 AM

With all this talk about how to use nipple cream, young cute store employees, and now K-Y jelly my mind has totally gone blank concerning anything about firearms and such..... as a matter of fact I may have to wake up the wife or take a long cold shower.

Mannlicher · May 24, 2009, 11:31 AM

I have no problem with just using RCBS case lube. It is designed for the purpose, is reliable in its use, and to me, just makes sense.

mikld · May 24, 2009, 12:31 PM

I know you asked about Pam exclusivly, but the posts seem to have wandered so I'll wander too.

I use "Mink Oil" boot dressing. A little dab will do ya. Cheap, contains Lanolin, and works good (and leaves my hands soft for the wife). Actually I like it better than pure Lanolin. I bought some "pure" lanolin from a make your own soap/hand cream site on the web. The consistity is stiffer than Mink Oil and is just a little harder to get the right amount on my fingers. A small jar cost less than $4.00 at Walgreen's and will probably last me a few years. I just dab a tiny bit on my fingers and roll a case between my fingers as I put it in the shell holder. Wipes off with a rag when I inspect the cases, easy!

wncchester · May 24, 2009, 05:07 PM

"Organic oils tend to decompose very quickly; when they decompose, they tend to get sticky and are a lot harder to remove.'

Other comments aside, there is a BIG weakness of Pam. Well, it's pretty messy to apply too.

Kiwi "Mink Oil" boot treatment is fully an equal to the very excellant Imperial Die Wax case lube and for much less expense.

dhenry132 · May 24, 2009, 07:04 PM

Phil, what is the ratio?

FALPhil · May 24, 2009, 10:23 PM

I used Father Frog's formula.

GeauxTide · May 24, 2009, 11:58 PM

For sizing cases, I only use material intended for sizing cases.

csmsss · May 25, 2009, 08:47 AM

STP Oil treatment for me.

bear-fighter · May 25, 2009, 03:35 PM

winter grade powersaw chain oil or light machine oil works for me

Bart B. · May 25, 2009, 04:35 PM

Like csmsss, I use STP oil treatment, but I mix it 2:1 with Hoppe's No. 9 bore cleaner.

I tumble my cleaned cases in a Thumbler's Tumbler (rock polisher) with a 40-oz. coffee can lined with 1/4th inch foam coated lightly with the STP-Hoppe's mix. After about 15 minutes, cases are very uniformly coated with lube. This is the only way I can keep full length sized cases uniform in case headspace (measured with RCBS Precision Mic) within a couple thousandths spread. Rolling cleaned cases on a traditional lube pad has not worked good enough for me.

I clean the lube off in another coffee can of laquer thinner (outside so the fumes don't melt me) using a sieve then put 'em in sunlight to heat 'em up and dry 'em completely.

jimkim · May 25, 2009, 09:06 PM

I throw the cases in a big zip lock bag. I give them a few shots of Pam. I throw in a small piece of Bag Balm(lanolin) the Pam melts the lanolin and the cases get a nice even coat. I used to just use Pam, but I had to size the cases quickly. If they sat for very long they would get sticky. Since I have been doing it this way I don't have that problem anymore.

Dannyl · May 26, 2009, 01:03 AM

Hi,
I first used the bottle of lub that came with my Hornady dies (30-06).
After that was finished, I am using a bees-wax based saddle cream (leather balm, which I bought years ago to look after my saddle, it is cheap and lasts a life time). I take a tiny rub on the tip of a finger, rub my fingers together, then
rub the cases in my hand. if done right it leaves the case lubicated with a thin film that you can feel but not see. for lubricating the inside of the neck, I rub an ear bud with the stuf, and also leave a very thin layer inside.

To clean the cases, I first wrap them in an old cotton rag and rub them (in batches of about 20), then I tumble them for about 10 minutes in my Lyman case-tumbler (with crushed corn cob as media).

A reminder: make sure that the flash-holes are clear, someimes bits tend to get stuck but a gentle push with a small screwdriver will dislodge them easily.

I also use this as my last close inspection of each case before putting primers etc.

Cheers,
Danny

Wildalaska · May 26, 2009, 01:42 AM

Quote:

I have no problem with just using RCBS case lube. It is designed for the purpose, is reliable in its use, and to me, just makes sense.

Yeah but its boring in the face of being able to make your own, and then be able to talk about it.

Plus its expensive. I bough a brand new tube of RCBS lube at a garage sale the other day for $1...for that same $1, plus $25 of my worthless time, I could have mixed up enough homemade lube to fill a 55 gallon drum...

WildmanthetoolmakerAlaska TM

TEDDY · May 27, 2009, 07:07 PM

I think all case lube is some commercial product that is repackaged.probably
for machine shop die work.STP will do altho I use Lyman case lube but when it runs out I will make up the lanolin mix.

May 21, 2009, 02:37 PM	#1
Texas Rifleman Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2007 Posts: 287	Pam Spray Case Lube: The Madness of it All! It's been covered briefly but I want to hear from people that actually do it... - Do what? - Use Pam cooking spray as a case lube. If you're one of these people (don't be ashamed) tell us how you do it and the process you take. Does it work? Is it harmful to primers and powder? How do you clean it off...if you clean it off? I'm not really interested in hearsay or "I only use Imperial Case Wax!" I want to hear from people that use Pam cooking spray or other cooking spray and what their pros and cons are on the subject.

May 21, 2009, 03:25 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	My only concern with using Pam is that it's an organic oil with an alcohol carrier/solvent. Organic oils tend to decompose very quickly; when they decompose, they tend to get sticky and are a lot harder to remove. It would require very thorough cleaning of the cases to get all traces of it off, and the dies would also need to be cleaned very thoroughly. Other than that, I don't see any reason at all why it wouldn't work. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

May 22, 2009, 11:19 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	You can order pure lanolin very easily via the internet. You could also start keeping sheep. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

May 24, 2009, 10:59 AM	#10
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	Case Lube Madness You can use any number of lubricants and more... Spray cans Pad lubricants Waxes The wife's K-Y jelley

May 24, 2009, 11:31 AM	#12
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,239	I have no problem with just using RCBS case lube. It is designed for the purpose, is reliable in its use, and to me, just makes sense. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

May 21, 2009, 04:08 PM	#3
FALPhil Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2007 Location: Racoon City Posts: 934	Mike is right, PAM and store generics are not the way to go. I went down to the local drugstore, got some lanolin "nipple cream" and some 98% isopropyl alcohol and mixed it in a spray bottle with some BBs. I let it soak in hot water for a few minutes, shake it real good, and spray away. It's cheap, it wipes off with a terry towel, and it work well. I also use finger-applied mink oil for my precision ammo on the single stage.

May 22, 2009, 10:22 AM	#5
Gazzmann Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 133	Ever try "Jig-A-Loo" dry spray lube? Very clean and easy to use.

May 23, 2009, 01:04 AM	#7
Texas Rifleman Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2007 Posts: 287	The reason I ask is that I've heard of many people doing it and wanted to see for myself. I sprayed about 100 cases with a few squirts in a zip-lock bag. They ran through the press better than with the Lee Sizing lube I was using. There was only an extremely thin layer on the cases. After sizing and depriming I tumbled the cases for about a 1/2 hour. I noticed some of the cases had a little corn cob media inside the case that couldn't be shaken out. I left these alone. The next day I primed the cases. Soon I will load them with Varget and see how they perform.

May 24, 2009, 09:26 AM	#8
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	I'll just go to the local drug store and get the nipple cream and avoid the S&H costs. Besides, it might be fun to walk up to a young, cute store employee and ask where I might find it in the store.

May 24, 2009, 09:56 AM	#9
SamStafford Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Portageville, MO. 63873 Posts: 162	Good idea. Might have to try that Pam spray. Keep them ideas rolling.

May 24, 2009, 11:02 AM	#11
Dragon55 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 811	With all this talk about how to use nipple cream, young cute store employees, and now K-Y jelly my mind has totally gone blank concerning anything about firearms and such..... as a matter of fact I may have to wake up the wife or take a long cold shower.

May 24, 2009, 12:31 PM	#13
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	I know you asked about Pam exclusivly, but the posts seem to have wandered so I'll wander too. I use "Mink Oil" boot dressing. A little dab will do ya. Cheap, contains Lanolin, and works good (and leaves my hands soft for the wife). Actually I like it better than pure Lanolin. I bought some "pure" lanolin from a make your own soap/hand cream site on the web. The consistity is stiffer than Mink Oil and is just a little harder to get the right amount on my fingers. A small jar cost less than $4.00 at Walgreen's and will probably last me a few years. I just dab a tiny bit on my fingers and roll a case between my fingers as I put it in the shell holder. Wipes off with a rag when I inspect the cases, easy!

May 24, 2009, 05:07 PM	#14
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	"Organic oils tend to decompose very quickly; when they decompose, they tend to get sticky and are a lot harder to remove.' Other comments aside, there is a BIG weakness of Pam. Well, it's pretty messy to apply too. Kiwi "Mink Oil" boot treatment is fully an equal to the very excellant Imperial Die Wax case lube and for much less expense.

May 24, 2009, 07:04 PM	#15
dhenry132 Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Abilene Texas Posts: 5	lanolin "nipple cream" and some 98% isopropyl alcohol and mixed it in a spray bottle Phil, what is the ratio?

May 24, 2009, 10:23 PM	#16
FALPhil Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2007 Location: Racoon City Posts: 934	I used Father Frog's formula.

May 24, 2009, 11:58 PM	#17
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,514	For sizing cases, I only use material intended for sizing cases.

May 25, 2009, 08:47 AM	#18
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 3,078	STP Oil treatment for me.

May 25, 2009, 03:35 PM	#19
bear-fighter Junior Member Join Date: April 27, 2009 Posts: 6	winter grade powersaw chain oil or light machine oil works for me

May 25, 2009, 04:35 PM	#20
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Like csmsss, I use STP oil treatment, but I mix it 2:1 with Hoppe's No. 9 bore cleaner. I tumble my cleaned cases in a Thumbler's Tumbler (rock polisher) with a 40-oz. coffee can lined with 1/4th inch foam coated lightly with the STP-Hoppe's mix. After about 15 minutes, cases are very uniformly coated with lube. This is the only way I can keep full length sized cases uniform in case headspace (measured with RCBS Precision Mic) within a couple thousandths spread. Rolling cleaned cases on a traditional lube pad has not worked good enough for me. I clean the lube off in another coffee can of laquer thinner (outside so the fumes don't melt me) using a sieve then put 'em in sunlight to heat 'em up and dry 'em completely.

May 25, 2009, 09:06 PM	#21
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2008 Location: middle GA Posts: 326	I throw the cases in a big zip lock bag. I give them a few shots of Pam. I throw in a small piece of Bag Balm(lanolin) the Pam melts the lanolin and the cases get a nice even coat. I used to just use Pam, but I had to size the cases quickly. If they sat for very long they would get sticky. Since I have been doing it this way I don't have that problem anymore. __________________ Jan. 4, 2007 gasoline $2.10 gal....HMMM?

May 26, 2009, 01:03 AM	#22
Dannyl Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Cape Town - South Africa Posts: 627	case lub Hi, I first used the bottle of lub that came with my Hornady dies (30-06). After that was finished, I am using a bees-wax based saddle cream (leather balm, which I bought years ago to look after my saddle, it is cheap and lasts a life time). I take a tiny rub on the tip of a finger, rub my fingers together, then rub the cases in my hand. if done right it leaves the case lubicated with a thin film that you can feel but not see. for lubricating the inside of the neck, I rub an ear bud with the stuf, and also leave a very thin layer inside. To clean the cases, I first wrap them in an old cotton rag and rub them (in batches of about 20), then I tumble them for about 10 minutes in my Lyman case-tumbler (with crushed corn cob as media). A reminder: make sure that the flash-holes are clear, someimes bits tend to get stuck but a gentle push with a small screwdriver will dislodge them easily. I also use this as my last close inspection of each case before putting primers etc. Cheers, Danny

May 27, 2009, 07:07 PM	#24
TEDDY Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: MANNING SC Posts: 837	lube I think all case lube is some commercial product that is repackaged.probably for machine shop die work.STP will do altho I use Lyman case lube but when it runs out I will make up the lanolin mix.