Some observations from a newbie 223 reloader

[DenverGP]

Been reloading pistol rounds for a year now, just started on 223 reloading.

I ordered some Hornady One Shot case lube. I used it on the first 30 test rounds. I had the cases in a reloading tray, and gave them a light spray from multiple angles. Those first 30 cases seemed pretty tight in the full length resizing die, but came out without any damage.

When I was prepping a larger batch of brass to start loading, I lubed them up the same way, and on my 14th case, ripped the rim off with the case stuck in the die. I was able to loosen the depriming pin and tap the case out with a punch on the top of the pin. Another 5 cases in, and same thing happened again.

I stopped, did some more research, and found a bunch of discussion about One Shot not being a great case lube, and most definitely needing more than one shot of it to properly lube up the cases.

This time I sprayed a pretty heavy coat of the lube with the cases laying flat on a paper towel, rolled the cases 1/2 turn, and sprayed them again. After letting them dry for 10 min, I could feel a difference in the amount of lube. Resizing the first of these cases, I was amazed, it didn't take any more effort than resizing a pistol case. On the previous batch, I was actually lifting up the top of my reloading bench slightly when lowering the ram to remove the case from the die. I can't believe I didn't rip off more case rims. So for anyone just starting on 223 reloading, if the lubed cases take more than normal pistol pressure to resize, you are probably not using enough lube.

Also, is it common for once-fired cases to not need trimming after resizing? In a batch of about 200 cases, I probably only had to trim 40 cases, and most of those it barely removed any material to get it down to the 1.750 that my lee trimmer cuts to. I expected all of the cases to need trimming the first time thru.

[brutal]

I use the Cabelas stuff. Never bothered to mix up the home brew as I could never get around to picking up any pure lanolin.

Spread the cases on blue paper shop towels on old cookie sheets. Couple sprays over it all to cover, them shake them around to evenly coat. Let dry and FL size (small base) to my hearts content. Only time I ever stuck a case was when I tried to run one through after messing up a primer and thinking I had enough build up in the die.

[Great-Kazoo]

Not all cases will need to be trimmed, it just happens, usually with federal brass. In the long run it's cheaper to make your own case lube. Buy a stuck case removing tool Or make your own. Buy a 1/4 - 20 tap, drill bit, allen head bolt and some washers or spacer to use between the bolt head and brass.

[Jamnanc]

I haven't had a stuck case since making my own lube. $10 for the liquid lanolin from sprouts $2 for a spray bottle from Wally, $6 for a 4 pack of ISO heat from Wally= two large spray bottles full. I just spray lube into a bucket of brass, stir, spray, until it all gets a coating. If you use isopropyl alcohol 90% you have to shake it up a lot, but the ISO heat dissolves it well.

Lanolin is good for the hands too.

[CareyH]

I stopped using the one shot stuff for rifle many years ago, it was very inconsistent batch to batch. I haven't had a problem since I switched to the RCBS spray lube. Like these guys said, spread the cases out 1 layer thick, spray, rotate, spray. Then fill the hopper up and go!

[gnihcraes]

Mobile 1 synthetic. $5 for quart, lifetime supply.
Old washcloth lightly lubed with it, roll cases.
Seems to work best after the cloth has been used and lubed for a few years. I rarely have to add any oil, just start rolling cases and sizing.

[kwando]