Imperial sizing wax

[DevilWillCry]

Just picked some of this up, and it works fantastic! I was supper impressed, it literally cut down the resizing resistance by at least half. It's a little on the slow side though, and I'm looking to speed things up a little. Anyone ever try making a spray with this, or any other suggestions?

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

How are you applying it? I use it on the RCBS lube pad and just do 8 or so at a time. Pretty much how I've always used the pad regardless of the lubricant.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

I use Imperial for small jobs, but when I'm loading in bulk, I use Dillon's spray lube. It's lanolin based in alcohol. Spritz the cases in a box, pan or plastic bag, roll them around spritz again and let the alcohol evaporate. It works great.

Another lube similar to Imperial is Kiwi Mink oil boot dressing. It actually works well.

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

Put 50 to 100 pieces of brass in a shoebox or ziploc. Put a dab of imperial in the palm of your hand and rub it around on both hands. Dip your hands in the brass and grab and rub all the brass and do not wash your hands until after you are done sizing. Now every piece of brass should have a little on it and a little is all you need--and those that are light will get some off your hands while sticking them in the press. Takes about 30 seconds to do a BUNCH.

 

[DevilWillCry]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

I started by having a little on my fingers and swabbing each case on it's way to the press. After about 30 or so cases it seemed tedious, so slicked some on both palms and rolled it on that way for the rest of the bag maybe about 50 .308 cases.

 

[Mike Sobr]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

Just don't let too much accumulate in the die as it is pretty thick and if allowed to build up enough over time it can dent your brass from the hydraulic force so I run a Q-tip up in there after each reloading session to clean out any excess.

 

[hdbiker1]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

I use a home made spray lube, but check out how this guy does it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKY32kx7alQ

 

[recarga]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

I Got the the royal case and die lube , It's similar to imperial and I just put some on the neck every two cases , don't know about the imperial but the royal wax has a nice small to it.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

I use Imperial almost exclusively now. It works great.
I also started using the Redding dry lube for neck sizing. it cuts out all the chatter of the expander ball.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

"(Imperial) literally cut down the resizing resistance by at least half. It's a little on the slow side though...)

It's good stuff but there are others and several substitutes just as good.

If it's going 'slow' it's because your method is slow. Touch your left finger tips to the wax and apply it to the entire case as you pick each one up to size. With a bit of practice you can lube and size almost as fast as you can pick up, insert and remove cases without lubing.

Done properly, it's impossible to put enough wax on a case to get lube dents.

 

[fw707]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If it's going 'slow' it's because your method is slow. Touch your left finger tips to the wax and apply it to the entire case as you pick each one up to size. With a bit of practice you can lube and size almost as fast as you can pick up, insert and remove cases without lubing.
</div></div>

Exactly.
I also sit the cases up in a loading block and put a smear of Imperial inside each case neck with a Q-Tip before I start the sizing operation. They run through the die as smooth as silk.

 

[QuietShootr]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

LOVE Imperial. I started using it recently along with the Redding dry lube with the beaded applicator tub. I get some excess Imperial on my right hand, dip the case neck in the Redding applicator with my left, pass the case to the right and roll it around to get the wax on the outside, then stick it in the press. MAJOR difference from the older way I used to do it. Much less resistance, and as was noted, no chatter.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hdbiker1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use a home made spray lube, but check out how this guy does it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKY32kx7alQ </div></div>

I've been reloading for 40 years. I've used all kinds of case lubes and narrowed my resizing lubes to Imperial wax and Dillon spray. I've also made my own home made spray lube from lanolin and alcohol (this is what the Dillon spray is).

In the video, the guy uses a big gob of Imperial rubbed in his hands to lube his 700 or so cases. In my opinion, this is a wasteful use of Imperial. For doing what the guy in the video does, the Dillon spray works with less waste.

I use Imperial, I like it, but not for lubing hundreds of cases at a time. Everyone has their own way to lube their cases. This is just my .02¢ on it.

 

[TenZero]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

I agree. That guy in the vid is using huge amounts of the imperial wax, and most of it is wasted in making his hands soft.
I've found I use much less wax by schmearing just a little on the inside of a ziploc bag, scrunching it up to coat the inside of the bag, then dumping the brass in. Tumble the brass around inside the bag for a minute, and all your cases are ready to size. Fast and easy, and doesn't make a mess. Keep the bag, and just add a very small of lube for the next batch. Works for me.

 

[DevilWillCry]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

Thanks for all the input guys, it's helping! I won't have time to try any of these suggestions out till this weekend. I stated it was a little slow when compared to using my RCBS lube die. I use that exclusively for .223, but left a lot to be desired for .308. I'll work on my method and see if I can speed it up with a little practice.

 

[JGorski]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

I use Hornadys Unique lube for small jobs, works GREAT! And their One Shot spray lube for big jobs. Imperial is overpriced.

 

[rdinak]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

The only time I have ever encountered a stuck case was using Hornady One shot. I have two tins of Imperial sizing wax and doubt if I ever use them up. This stuff works wonders and I wont be fooled again.

The Dillon spray lube is my lube of choice when running batches of .223 for the AR15's.

RCBS lube and lube pad...well I gave them to someone that needed them...

YMMV

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Imperial sizing wax


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Simo Hayha</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
RCBS lube and lube pad...well I gave them to someone that needed them...
</div></div>

I threw mine in the garbage where it belonged, sometime, I believe in the late 70's.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Imperial sizing wax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: in2deep</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just don't let too much accumulate in the die as it is pretty thick and if allowed to build up enough over time it can dent your brass from the hydraulic force so I run a Q-tip up in there after each reloading session to clean out any excess. </div></div>

OR--

Change sizing dies to one with a relief hole in it at the shoulder area. It't not just lube that can cause dents but believe it or not, air trapped in this area due to a good seal on both the neck and case body.

Lee sizing dies have had these holes for years and a recent Forster die I bought did as well. One can add a hole by merely taking a dremel tool, grinding off a small flat in the threads directly outside of the shoulder, and with a carbide 1/16" drill, make your die "dent proof". The die is hardened so standard drills may not cut.