Question about lanolin-based case lube

[jonnnyboy]

I have been using the Hornady spray lube for a while now but have been reading up on other types of case lube.  One of them is the lanolin/Iso-heet mixture that I keep seeing over and over.  Everyone seems to be pretty happy with the cost and effectiveness of this type.  I have a couple of questions for those who have experience with Lanolin lube:

 

1. Does the lanolin compromise the primer/powder?   If so, does that mean you must re-clean the brass after sizing and before priming/charging?

 

2. How do you adequately lube the inside of the case neck?

 

I find this type lube very interesting as it appeals to my cheap side and appears relatively easy to make.  I'm just trying to make sure I don't misunderstand anything before ordering the lanolin off the internet.

 

thanks

j

[Dolomite_supafly]

You should ALWAYS clean your brass before AND after sizing.

I put my brass in a bowl then I spray my alcohol and lanolin mixture over the brass. I stir the brass up then respray. I do the a couple of times until the brass is covered. I let the brass set until the alcohol evaporates.

Next I size the brass.

Then I put the brass back into the tumbler for another hour or so.

I use 93% alcohol rather than the Heat but I use pure lanolin. I bring a large pot of water up to a temperature you cannot stick your hand in. Not quite boiling but HOT. I loosen the lid of lanolin and put the container into the hot water. This will make it pour easier and mix better with the alcohol. After the lanolin is hot leave it in the water but loosen the cap of the container of alcohol and put be alcohol in next to heat up. After both are hot pour the lanolin in with the alcohol. Shake it vigorously for 2-3 minutes then allow it to cool. This should keep the two from separating, at least not as bad, but if you start to see it separate just give it a shake.

[Hershmeister]

Why clean it before you are done loading? I finish loading them toss em in the tumbler

[owejia]

I bought a couple of spray bottles of Frankford arsenal sizing lubricant, alcohol and lanolin a few years ago, and after sizing several thousand 5.56 military brass only used about half a bottle. I put the brass in a quart size zip lock bag and spray three or four shots of lubricant in the bag and seal it up,  roll the brass around in the bag ,lube is in the air and will get inside of the case necks,I usually let them sit for a few minutes and dump them in a plastic bowl, then I put more brass in the empty zip lock bag and spray and seal, letting them coat while I size  the coated brass in the plastic bowl." Always let the alcohol evaporate before sizing". Usually put between 100 and 150 cases in zip lock bag. After use just seal empty bags and plastic bowls until needed again,cheap and clean. Also have done 7 mm Rem mag cases the same way. The more you use the zip lock bags the less spray needed because of the spray residue left in the bags. I use carbide sizing dies on my straight walled brass so no need for lube. I run the sized brass in my walnut media with a few drops of car wax if they are going in long term storage, or just in the walnut media if reloading soon. Also run the reloaded cartridges in walnut media with car wax before boxing up for long term storage.

[Jonnin]

I have been using the Hornady spray lube for a while now but have been reading up on other types of case lube.  One of them is the lanolin/Iso-heet mixture that I keep seeing over and over.  Everyone seems to be pretty happy with the cost and effectiveness of this type.  I have a couple of questions for those who have experience with Lanolin lube:

 

1. Does the lanolin compromise the primer/powder?   If so, does that mean you must re-clean the brass after sizing and before priming/charging?

 

2. How do you adequately lube the inside of the case neck?

 

I find this type lube very interesting as it appeals to my cheap side and appears relatively easy to make.  I'm just trying to make sure I don't misunderstand anything before ordering the lanolin off the internet.

 

thanks

j

 

1) qualified no.  Ive never smeared a big gob in a primer but I have had it get inside my cases and all up in the powder.  It stinks bad, but it shoots just fine.  I tried (once) to lube cases with heated to liquid lanolin tossed in a bag and that's how it got inside.   It wasn't a good technique.

 

2) I don't.   I lube the bullet instead.

[frankmako]

i guest i am still old school when it comes to brass lube.  i still use the old school lube and a 1973 rcbs lube pad.  works well and never has let me down.  start with clean brass and i sometimes re-clean after re-sizing. 

[Grunt67]

The Hornady One-Shot is the best lube I've run across. Works well in the die, no primer or powder fouling issues to worry about.

Not necessary to clean after sizing,; you can if you want to. Can't get much easier unless someone else does it for you.

[Westwindmike]

I've been using a 50/50 mix of alcohol and wire pulling gel. You get a huge bottle of it for about $6 or so at Home Depot and a bottle will last years. Spray it on cases in a plastic bag, dump them out till the alcohol evaporates and size. Works well. Then tumble them for at least 30 minutes and they are ready to load.

[owejia]

Never knew they had a wire pulling gel, we always used Johnsons baby powder. Learn something new on TGO all the time.