WD-40 as case lube

3

35WD

New member
A buddy that does not reload just dropped on about 350 empty cases of military .223. I usually use Ponsness STOL for case lube. However, I thought that I would try some WD-40 for a change. I spayed about 25 cases at a time and it worked pretty slick. They arenow in the tumbler for about 12 hours.

Anyone hear of a downside to WD-40 for this purpose? What will it do to my tumble media?
 
Sounds too thin to me to really good, but be REAL careful around primers as WD-40 will kill a live pimer deader than Michael Jackson's nuts. I have used many times some PAM cooking spray. Got some out in my cabinet for a quick spray when I am just doing a few cases. Smells good too!
 
There really are better options than the penetrating type of lubes. Like Rusty said, cooking sprays will work in a pinch. Most soaps will also work just fine. Somewhere I have a an instruction sheet that came with a very early Lyman tool and it recommends lard, mink oil, and petroleum jelly. Then wash it off with a gasoline soaked rag and air dry.
John
 
Either all of this of go to the store and spend $8 on a can or bottle of lube designed for the purpose! Always hearing about guys that got a case stuck. Use a lube designed for lubing cases the way the manufacturer say's to use it and don't worry about it!
 
Last edited:
Don, you always take the easy way out!
grin.gif


In all seriousness, it is a 2 1/2 hour drive to the nearest reloading supplier. Sometimes things happen. It is also important in today's climate to not forget the old ways.
John
 
Originally Posted By: pcammoDon, you always take the easy way out!
grin.gif


In all seriousness, it is a 2 1/2 hour drive to the nearest reloading supplier. Sometimes things happen. It is also important in today's climate to not forget the old ways.
John

I like to be like a good boy sprout and be prepared. I have a spare bottle / container of case lube at all times. Better to have to much than not enough.
tt2.gif
thumbup.gif
Just yanking your chain. I do have an extra container of case lube, really I do. Probably will never use it
cursing.gif
LOL

Now as far as WD40 goes if it works use it, But I would toss the cases in a good degreaser before I would toss them in a tumbler and risk in any way of contaminating the media and then affecting the primer or powder. Just my $0.02 worth.

I degrease all my cases with a good solvent that does not leave any residue when dry before the priming begins.

DAB
 
Last edited:
Years ago I used to use STP or MOTORMEDIC for serious case forming. I use Imperial Sizing Wax now, great stuff.

For regular resizing I keep a few bottles of Frankfort Arsenal pump spray from Midway, like it alot better than Oneshot.


There is no place for WD-40 around my guns, over time the stuff turns to tar like goo and I've had to clean too many triggers that customes have prayed full of the stuff over the years.

AWS
 
Last edited:
the net is your friend. click click clickety click click click & a bit later the lube of your choice will be knocking at your door.
 
I do also solvent wash when using Imperial. If you don't, there will be a bead of it just on the inside of the shoulder at the junction with the neck.
John
 
Originally Posted By: Stu Farishthe net is your friend. click click clickety click click click & a bit later the lube of your choice will be knocking at your door.
+1
 
I don't care for the layer of crud that WD-40 turns into after a while. That and the penetrating aspect of it make me feel uncomfortable using it as a case lube. It does make an excellent engine starter fluid when in a pinch.
 
Originally Posted By: ANGCorsairIt does make an excellent engine starter fluid when in a pinch.


"DID" make a good starter fluid. They changed the formula to get rid of that "benefit".
 
I found crisco shortning to work very well, better than most lubes I have purchased. I usually do a good size batch and wash them after sizing anyway. A very thin amount is all you need. Try it, you'll like it
 
LOL - well now I have no use for it!

It is pretty amazing stuff with its various uses but there always seems to be something better for any specific task.
 
Originally Posted By: Don FischerEither all of this of go to the store and spend $8 on a can or bottle of lube designed for the purpose! Always hearing about guys that got a case stuck. Use a lube designed for lubing cases the way the manufacturer say's to use it and don't worry about it!


yup-per
 
Crisco would save you some time, too. You could skip trimming because Crisco is SHORTENING!! Sorry, I know that was terrible, but I had to be the one to say it.
 
Originally Posted By: DABOriginally Posted By: pcammoDon, you always take the easy way out!
grin.gif


In all seriousness, it is a 2 1/2 hour drive to the nearest reloading supplier. Sometimes things happen. It is also important in today's climate to not forget the old ways.
John

I like to be like a good boy sprout and be prepared. I have a spare bottle / container of case lube at all times. Better to have to much than not enough.
tt2.gif
thumbup.gif
Just yanking your chain. I do have an extra container of case lube, really I do. Probably will never use it
cursing.gif
LOL

Now as far as WD40 goes if it works use it, But I would toss the cases in a good degreaser before I would toss them in a tumbler and risk in any way of contaminating the media and then affecting the primer or powder. Just my $0.02 worth.

I degrease all my cases with a good solvent that does not leave any residue when dry before the priming begins.

DAB

Hey Dab I got about four different lubes laying around! Old guy's rule!!! But there was a time when I used STP. Stuff works great but will really kill a primer fast.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top