Coconut oil for case sizing?

Centella

Centella

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2023
Messages
91
Hi there!
New reloader question here. Has anyone used coconut oil for lubing cases when resizing? I read somewhere that it really works well, but I thought I'd ask around before giving it a try. If you have used it, what would be the best way to apply it?

Related question, what is the best way to remove the oil from the cases after sizing? I'm assuming you don't wanna leave that on the cases when loading your revolvers or pistols. Will just wiping off with a rag be enough?

Thanks!
 
It will work, keep it cold and it will stay a solid. Don't over use it, to much can cause dimples in the brass.

Wipe some on your offhand, roll case around, resize. Every 3 or 4, scrape your finger across the neck to lube the expander.

Or buy some rubbing alcohol from CVS and mix some to use in a spray bottle. You can look up the recipe or wait for someone to post here.

I like Hornady's Unique as it stays solid, unless it's a super hot day and you reload in the garage. Still solid just really soft.
 
If pistol just give em a small shot of one shot and stir around. Or don't use any at all. Up to you.

Rifle mix ya up some lanolin and heet or just get a little tin of imperial lube.

I tumble in cob for whatever I feel like to remove lube.
 
Centella said:
Hi there!
New reloader question here. Has anyone used coconut oil for lubing cases when resizing? I read somewhere that it really works well, but I thought I'd ask around before giving it a try. If you have used it, what would be the best way to apply it?

Related question, what is the best way to remove the oil from the cases after sizing? I'm assuming you don't wanna leave that on the cases when loading your revolvers or pistols. Will just wiping off with a rag be enough?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Used sparingly and it should be fine. You will want to fully remove it before loading, so tumble it off, otherwise it will cause powder contamination.

I still use PEG 75 lanoline and a bottle of Red HEET for sizing rifle, and OneShot for pistol. Havent really found anything that is better that is more convenient. Lanolin has to be tumbled off, OneShot does not.
 
I don't understand why you want to play with a home made concoction when there are a lot better products available at very reasonable prices. Coconut oil will go rancid over time. If you use too much, it can get sticky and gummy. And then, if you full size what are u to lube the inside of the case neck?
I've also been using Hornady Unique for over 8 years. I don't get dents anymore. It works great. I paid $6.95 for it at Cabela's and only God know when I will use it all up after loading 1,000s of 30.60, .270 Win and .303 British cases and it's only half empty. By the way does anyone remember the movie "PT 109." Trapped on a island in enemy territory, they lubed their pistols with Coconut oil to get the sand out of them and they weren't sure if their guns would even fire.
As for wiping cases, I use paper towel. 1/3 sheet will do 50, .30 cal. rifle cases.
 
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Lots of things will work, but why not use something that was developed and sold by the firearms industry. Yes you can make your own version of Hornady's One Shot (IPA and lanolin) but why bother. It's not expensive, works great when properly used and is usually easy to find. So much simpler.
 
Some fellers jes wanna know. I have found several items to use in my reloading that are not "reloading tools/supplies". One of my best is a case lube. Mink Oil Boot Dressing Cream. I have used it for years and never a stuck case nor contaminated powder. I enjoy making my own bullet lube and the satisfaction of making something just as good or better than store bought, designated "Reloading" is huge. I don't have to go to a LGS, or wait for an online purchase, for specific products and pay extra because they have a label that says "Reloading"...

Similar to home casting bullets...
 
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mdi said:
Mink Oil Boot Dressing Cream
Click to expand...

After I purchased some Hornady Unique case lube years ago, I immediately realized that it reminded me of my tin(s) of Kiwi-brand Mink Oil ...

... so I tried some of that and it worked great. The result: Considering how little is required to accomplish the task each time, I will probably never have to buy case lube again. :D
 
Thomasss said:
I don't understand why you want to play with a home made concoction when there are a lot better products available at very reasonable prices. Coconut oil will go rancid over time. If you use too much, it can get sticky and gummy. And then, if you full size what are u to lube the inside of the case neck?
I've also been using Hornady Unique for over 8 years. I don't get dents anymore. It works great. I paid $6.95 for it at Cabela's and only God know when I will use it all up after loading 1,000s of 30.60, .270 Win and .303 British cases and it's only half empty. By the way does anyone remember the movie "PT 109." Trapped on a island in enemy territory, they lubed their pistols with Coconut oil to get the sand out of them and they weren't sure if their guns would even fire.
As for wiping cases, I use paper towel. 1/3 sheet will do 50, .30 cal. rifle cases.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I just have the coconut oil already in my kitchen. Ordering lube from amazon or other store will take days of delivery time. I was hoping to go to the range tomorrow to try some loads...
 
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Mk-211 said:
It will work, keep it cold and it will stay a solid.
Click to expand...
Coconut oil is solid at room temperature. You could use it just like Hornady Unique case lube. Might be cheaper than the Hornady, depending on whether you buy it at Wally World or Fancy Shmancy Kitchen Gougers. Should last a good long time. I've had an open jar of it in the pantry for years and it hasn't spoiled yet.
 
I'd put a very small "squirt" in a bag of a few hundred of 357 and shake around. Little lube does size easier. Throw in cob afterwards for 30 minutes and all is good.
 
GBExpat said:
After I purchased some Hornady Unique case lube years ago, I immediately realized that it reminded me of my tin(s) of Kiwi-brand Mink Oil ...

... so I tried some of that and it worked great. The result: Considering how little is required to accomplish the task each time, I will probably never have to buy case lube again. :D
Click to expand...
Yep. I had read about boot dressing as case lube in the '70s, IIRC, and when in a Walgreen's I noticed some in the shoe polish dept.. Contains lanolin, don't need much, easy to apply and remove, is available everywhere shoe polish is sold, and leaves my hands so soft...
 
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