WD-40 as case lube

[daschnoz]

WD-40 is quite a bit cheaper than case lube. Since I reload to save $$$.....

Provided that I wash the brass very well to avoid fouling the primer or powder, is there any reason to not use WD-40? Is there something about case lube that makes it special?

[1006587]

It won't work. Case lube needs to be like a thin, high pressure, grease because of the pressure involved. WD will push away and leave you with metal to metal contact. That means a stuck case. It is just the wrong tool for this job.

I have used many types of case lube and find the best to be Imperial Sizing Wax. I got the smallest tin they make about 5 years ago because I just wanted to try it out. I have barely put a dent in it. Projected out, I expect it to last at least 5 more years so that works out to about .50c a year for case lube. .30c a year if you get it on sale. Ease of use doesn't matter. The stuff works so well I have no desire to use any other lube. It is manually applied using your fingers which won't work if you load on a progressive.

[Bug Tussell]

Originally posted by daschnoz
WD-40 is quite a bit cheaper than case lube. Since I reload to save $$$.....

Provided that I wash the brass very well to avoid fouling the primer or powder, is there any reason to not use WD-40? Is there something about case lube that makes it special?

Absolutely, positively no way! Only an idiot would use WD-40 to lube a case with!

It took me forever to get that stuck case out of my resizing die!!! :rofl:

I used it back in the late 70's. Never again.

Use the case lube that you'rs supposed to use. It ain't that expensive.

[daschnoz]

Thanks. I was just looking at plain $$$ per ounce. I didn't realize that a $5 or so 8oz. investment would last me so long. Off to Midway...

[W.E.G.]

I use RCBS case lube.

It is water-soluable, so it just rinses off in hot water.

I put a glop of the stuff on my hands and smear on my palms and fingers.
Then I can rapidly wipe it on the cases by hand. Add more glop as palms become dry. Wash hands. Size cases. Wash cases (I use a milk jug with holes in the bottom). Drain. Pour cases in cardboard shipping box. Shake a bit to remove excess water. Dump cases in dry box. Let air-dry for 24 hours. Prime and load.

[Survey Punk]

I second Imperial.

JB

[g5]

As above. Never ... never... never.

Every case will be stuck.

Imperial is great. Also lanolin, like Dillon's, as well as the various heavy body greases like RCBS.

[kycrawler]

i use the hornady one shot in the spray cans i $5 can will do 3k large rifle cases you spray it on no mess , no fuss i dont bother removing it before shooting as you cant even tell it is on there

[River Pig]

I haven't tried it yet, but somebody said PAM. Anybody here tried it?
Right now I'm using Dillion or RCBS lonolin spray. Put about 1/3 a coffee can full of cases and shake, while rolling it a bit at 45 deg so that most of the case mouths are up. Then I spray, shake/roll and spray again. Then I put on lid and shake around for a little while. Haven't had any problems with stuck cases at all. I do a lot of .223, .308, 30-06 that way. At first I was afraid not every mouth would get lubed, but I guess as long as most have lube, it stays on the die enough to get by some without lube inside neck.

[packratt]

You will also load up a bunch of ammo that will shortly be duds.

WD-40 is an oil that has penetrating properties. It will eventually find its way to the powder and primers and fooch them.

[kennaquhair]

+1 on the Imperial Sizing Wax.

If you are in the home supply store looking at WD-40 wander over an aisle to electrical and pick up a quart bottle of GB Wire-Aide, Wire Pulling Lubricant. It's cheaper than WD-40 and apparently makes a great resizing lube. It is a wax based lubricant, wipes on and wipes off, can be used dry or wet and apparently doesn't degrade powder or primers. Acts and feels a lot like the Lee resizing lube. No personal experience with it although I have a quart in the garage. Noted its similarities to the Lee lube when I was pulling some wire, and wondered if it would work as a resizing lube. Someone has apparently tried it and it works!

[kennaquhair]

Link re GB Wire-Aide

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/homestretch2/index.asp

[DYNOMIKE]

Originally posted by kycrawler
i use the hornady one shot in the spray cans i $5 can will do 3k large rifle cases you spray it on no mess , no fuss i dont bother removing it before shooting as you cant even tell it is on there

One shot is the Only way to go IMO..
Although I have also had good luck with Dillons lube it is a Pump Srayer (used to be a Spray can and worked quite well) and kind of a Pain to use.

IF you roll your cases on a Pad there are a few that work gret, but this practice is SLOOOOW. I also noticed a Learning curve on just the right amount of lube so as not to dent my csaes..
I still have the stuff, but never use it anymore..

[fire for effect]

One guy I know uses Automatic Transmision Fluid for his reloading. I actually tried it with .223 and had no problems what so ever. I didn't like it for resizing .308.

[shootist87122]

I use Hornday One Shot. I understand castor oil is very good and super slick.

[DJ]

Imperial Sizing Wax is great stuff. A small tin of it lasts forever.
For batching .223 and 7.62 I use Dillon's lube.