From: jheath@fieldofdreams.npirs.purdue.edu (Jim Heath)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: lubricating cases
Date: 11 Jan 93 16:19:15 GMT

> On 7 Jan 93 23:59:30 GMT, jheath@fieldofdreams.npirs.purdue.edu (Jim Heath) said:
> 
> Jim> I told him about the "system" for lubricating cases using Lee
> Jim> water soluble lubricant and water and dunking the cases, but I
> Jim> have only used this with .223.  Has anyone out there used this
> Jim> idea with bigger cases?  If not, is there some reason it wouldn't
> Jim> work?  I don't remember any mention of larger cases in the
> Jim> American Rifleman article that described how to do this.
> 
> Jim -
> 	Could you please pass this on to me?  I asked for this info
> about a month ago, but all I got for responses was that people thought
> it might be possible.  You are the first person who actually has
> admitted to doing this.  I have several thousand cases to prep and
> would like to just dip them, not have to roll them on a lube pad.
> 

This system is described in the NRA book called (I think) "Semi-Auto
Rifles".  From memory:

1.  Mix Lee water soluble lube 1:10 with water.  

2.  Dunk cases in mixture.  An old (or new) French Frier basket is good
for this.  I bought a new one, but it is proving to be too cheaply made,
so I intend to find a more strongly constructed one.

3.  After shaking as much water off (and out of) the cases as possible,
dump them into a box lined with a towel(s) and allow to dry.  I don't
think heat sources would be helpful here, since they would (I think) melt
the lube.  It is important to be sure no cases are full or partially full
of water.  The longer you have for the cases to dry, the better ;-{), if
they don't have water standing in them, they should dry fairly quickly.

4.  Run them through your progressive.


RCBS also has a water soluble lube.  My gunsmith who uses this "system" a
lot will _only_ use the Lee.  One local dealer, who only had the RCBS ;-{)
thought it would work.  I found some of the Lee lube at another store
before I felt desperate enough to try the RCBS, so I don't know if it will
work.

I have usually left my cases setting in front of the dehumidifier for a
few (2-4 I think) days.

The article (It was originally in American Rifleman, July 86 I think.)
stated that the lubricant didn't cause any problems with powder (presuming
the cases are thoroughly dry).  I have fired a few .223 rounds that I have
reloaded, but didn't have time last fall for thorough testing.  My
gunsmith has used this for .223s for at least 10 years and hasn't had a
problem that he mentioned to me.

If you try it on other than .223s, please let me know how it works.  As I
said earlier, I haven't been able to find anyone who has used them with
larger, or even other ;-{), cases.  I intend to try it with .308s
eventually, but don't own a rifle in .308 at the moment.

I stored my lube mixture in a plastic (Kitchen Maid, I think) bowl with an
air-tight top.  When I went to use it some time later, I found a moldy
layer on top.  After I skimmed the layer off, it seemed to work ok though.
The cases looked like the ones I did originally.

If you can find a basket that holds the cases all the same way, it should
help with the draining problem.  I haven't found anything so far, but I
believe the chemistry labs may have racks for washing several test tubes
at once which might prove useful (presuming I can obtain one or more).  If
you come up with a solution, please let me know.

If you have any more questions, please ask.


"Land of song, said the warrior bard,           Jim Heath
Though all the world betrays thee.
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard, (The Minstrel Boy)
One faithful harp will praise thee."         (Thomas Moore)