Case lube shootout

[jmorris]

Less than laboratory study but I found it interesting. In an effort for all the cases to be the same, I used new Winchester 30-30 brass and an RCBS FL sizer. The spray lubes were used per their instructions, the others using my fingers and a Q tip.



I used a Lee breech lock press and a Rupala fishing scale to pull the handle, it has a little tab that stays at the max load. I only tested 8 cases, was only going to test 4 but the Dillon one shocked me the first pass, so I did another round of all 4 lubes.

The Imperial took 10 & 8.75 lb to size, 13 & 10.75 to come out of the die and 9 & 7.75 for the expander.

Hornady Unique was 10.7 & 10.3 to size, 9.75 & 8.5 off the body and 9.5 & 8.25 for the expander.

Dillon was 6.5 & 5.5 to size, 5 & 4 off the body and 9 & 7.25 for the expander.

Hornady One Shot was 10 & 8.5 size, 13.25 & 12.25 off the body and 12 & 11.5 off the neck.

One might note that all of the 2nd pass were lower than the first, at some point in there I learned that just holding a smaller amount of force for longer resulted in lower numbers and might be more accurate.

It was also not quite a full size, I stopped the stroke short to not hit the stop, back side of the handle was .010" short from where it is when the linkage hits its stop.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

If you want test cooking oil. I use olive oil. Im very happy with it. I put some on a lube pad. And spread it out with my finger.

 

[jmorris]

17.75 to size, 18.5 off the body, 8 for the expander.

 

[FROGO207]

Much larger difference than I would have thought in your sample size. I have tried several different things from mustache wax to lanolin and most waxes and soaps worked to size but there was a noticable difference in effort to work the handle. The next thing I am going to try is wire pulling lube with alcohol instead of lanolin. Thanks for posting your test.

 

[nettlle]

Very good! Tried all of these except the Dillon lube. I'll give the Dillon lube a try.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Very good! Tried all of these except the Dillon lube. I'll give the Dillon lube a try.

You don't need much.......... ........and let it dry completely (about 5 minutes).....

 

[hdwhit]

I've had very good results with Hornady Unique. Since I am already used to using it, I will continue.

 

[AJC1]

If you have Johnsons paste wax I'm curious
..

 

[nettlle]

......still thinking about the mustache wax.

 

[Nature Boy]

I saw the Dillon juice in the photo and knew it was game over before reading the test results

 

[JohnMc]

Dillons is lanolin in alcohol, isn't it?

 

[BreechFace]

I saw the Dillon juice in the photo and knew it was game over before reading the test results

Pretty much!

 

[Nature Boy]

Dillons is lanolin in alcohol, isn't it?

… that, plus ground unicorn horn

 

[Otto]

Dillon makes two different case lubes, one is lanolin based and the other is synthetic.
(Lanolin is for rifle, synthetic is for pistol). My criteria for case lube is how easy it is to remove afterwards. For that reason, I use a lube that’s water soluble.

 

[GW Staar]

Waiting for STP and RCBS lube pad lube......
Wasn't surprised by the Dillon Lanolin being first in that first group.....and try white mica powder which I like best (so far) inside necks. STP will win hands down in the messy dept.

 

[nettlle]

Dillon makes two different case lubes, one is lanolin based and the other is synthetic.
(Lanolin is for rifle, synthetic is for pistol). My criteria for case lube is how easy it is to remove afterwards. For that reason, I use a lube that’s water soluble.

jmorris has a pretty clear picture of the Dillon lube that he used in the test. What method do you use to clean cases with water?

 

[nettlle]

Waiting for STP and RCBS lube pad lube......

Don't forget Mobil 1.

 

[Kaldor]

PEG75 lanolin and iso alcohol at 12-1 have served me well for a long time.
Its effectively the Dillon lube, just cheaper.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I dont think STP is that messy, as it only needs the thinnest if films to work. and id bet real money that it would take the least amount of effort.

 

[troy fairweather]

… that, plus ground unicorn horn

And it's not the horn you may think lol.

 

[troy fairweather]

Try some Lee, last few tubes smell like fish for some reason.

 

[Mk-211]

Coconut oil or mink oil, remember to keep the Coconut oil in the fridge.

 

[lordpaxman]

Thanks for the comparison.

 

[film495]

you're not going to test which one is the least likely to stick cases in the die?

 

[jmorris]

you're not going to test which one is the least likely to stick cases in the die?

It would probably be the one that requires the least force in use. If you send me a rifle die and brass I will size them unlubed until I rip the rim off and I'll let you know how much force that takes though.