What's your least favorite reloading step and what have you done to make it easier or faster?

DiRTY DOG

DiRTY DOG

Well-known member
What's your least favorite reloading step and what have you done to make it easier or faster? Or, what's something you adopted that made a big difference, like brass organization, or die/tool storage, or documenting load development and results?

I haven't had much time to load or shoot lately, so I've been pondering ways to simplify and organize.
 
Case lubing for rifle loads. I switched to the wax a few years ago and it’s a lot better. I don’t know why they can’t make rifle dies like pistols.
I don’t reload a ton but wouldn’t mind not have to do that step.
 
Alcohol and lanolin in a baggie, toss in some rifle brass and massage well. Dump out and let dry. Works for some but I prefer hand lubing 308 brass.
 
jmeddy said:
trimming/chamfering but I do it by hand along with measuring in an old go/no go slot gauge. But I only load 2-300 a year.
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ny hunter said:
Case lubing for rifle loads. I switched to the wax a few years ago and it’s a lot better. I don’t know why they can’t make rifle dies like pistols.
I don’t reload a ton but wouldn’t mind not have to do that step.
Click to expand...
BOTH^^^^
I loaded over 5000 rounds/year for twenty years of match shooting/practice plus a good number of rounds of hunting ammo and hated measuring cases to determine which needed trimming. I hated lubing, and ultimately removing lube after sizing and the trim/chamfer steps. Found it much easier and quicker to trim after each firing (many cases did not need trimming)

Simplified both in one fell swoop. I've used file type trimmers (even made a few universal trim dies myself), Lyman and Wilson case trimmers and drill press trimmers. Found that lee case trimmers using cordless drill as driver to be cheapest and fastest trimmer. Using home brew lanolin spray on case lube....quickest by far.

99% of my loading was done on Dillon 450 presses. The Lee trimmer require cases to be sized before trimming and need to be de-primed. This did add one extra step not usually necessary on the progressive. The first stage of the progressive press being the sizing die, I just loosened or removed sizer die before starting the loading sequence since the prepped cases have already been sized and priming is accomplished as usual in stage 1.

1. Spray case lube on cases
2. Size cases and de-prime on Dillon
3. Using a very special, one of a kind custom built, patent pending (VSOOAKCCBPP) ;) (as opposed to home made) fixture which holds the Lee trimmer and a chamfer tool, the lubed, sized, de-primed case is chucked into drill. An old sock is put loosely over the knob on the Dillon (3rd hand if you please).

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4. Chuck a sized/lubed case in cordless drill, hold VSOOAKCCBPP fixture in left hand (right handed operator) trim the case and chamfer. With drill still running, use sock (hanging on the Dillon) to remove all lube and it's ready to load. Heck I could have trimmed, chamfered and removed lube on 10-15 cases in less time than it took to type this run-on sentence.
 
OneShot is expensive and hard to find. I stuck a 308W case using it. Just be careful. I use RCBS case lube mixed with alky for 30/30 and BO, never a problem. Rifle cases are much harder than pistol cases.
 

Formula for Lanolin and Alcohol Case Lubricant in Reloading​

A common and effective DIY case lube for reloading uses liquid lanolin and 99% isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol helps dissolve and evenly distribute the lanolin, while the lanolin provides a protective film on the case to prevent corrosion and sticking during sizing.

Recommended Ratios​

  • 1:4 to 1:5 ratio (1 part liquid lanolin : 4–5 parts 99% isopropyl alcohol) is widely used and works well Predator Masters+1.
    Example: 4 oz liquid lanolin + 16–20 oz 99% isopropyl alcohol.
  • Some reloaders prefer 12:1 (12 parts alcohol : 1 part lanolin) for a thinner, less gummy feel Ammo Guru+1.
  • Others use 10:1 to 16:1 depending on desired tackiness and ease of cleaning ar15.com.

Preparation Steps​

  1. Gather supplies:
    • Liquid lanolin (pure, no additives)
    • 99% isopropyl alcohol (not 70% rubbing alcohol or 91% with high water content)
    • Spray bottle with measurement markings
    • Small bowl or cup
    • Warm water (for warming ingredients) Ammo Guru+1
  2. Warm the ingredients (optional but helpful):
    • Place the lanolin bottle in warm water (~105–110°F) for several minutes to soften it.
    • Warm the alcohol bottle in the same water bath.
    • Do not heat over an open flame — isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable Predator Masters+1.
  3. Mix:
    • Pour the alcohol into the spray bottle first.
    • Add the measured lanolin (e.g., 1 oz for 12 oz alcohol if using 12:1 ratio).
    • Mix thoroughly. If using a 1:4–1:5 ratio, add more alcohol to reach the target volume.
  4. Cool and store:
    • Let the mixture cool to room temperature, mixing occasionally as it cools.
    • Store in an airtight container to prevent water absorption from the air Predator Masters+1.

Application Tips​

  • Apply a light, even coat to cases before sizing.
  • Let the alcohol evaporate (~5 minutes) before resizing Predator Masters.
  • Properly lubed cases should feel slightly greasy but not slimy.
  • Use sparingly — the lube can stay tacky for a long time Shooters' Forum.
Example DIY batch (12:1 ratio):
  • 12 oz 99% isopropyl alcohol
  • 1 oz liquid lanolin
  • Mix in a spray bottle, let cool, and store.
This method is inexpensive, effective, and avoids the mess of commercial lubes while providing good corrosion protection and smooth sizing Ammo Guru+2.
 
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