Case Lube causes brass corrosion.

[dahermit]

I broke-out the M1 Carbine today to shoot-up some of my cast bullet loads just to get the cases for some new powder coated bullet experiments that I am about to embark on.

Much to my chagrin, the case lube I used on the cases the last time I loaded them (using a 550b), has caused some minor corrosion on the brass cases. The cartridges have been in my low-humidity closet for a few years.

The lube I used, I am sure was Hornady One Shot in a plastic pump bottle.

Which brings me to the point. When I loaded long, straight-walled cases like the .444 Marlin and the .45-70, the only lube that I found was a white paste lube that dried to a powder and came off the cases clean when sizing. That is what I want to try, but cannot remember the brand name. Who makes that white-paste lube that dries to a powder?

In anticipation about someone telling my to get some carbide dies and not lube the cases...I do use carbide .30 Carbine dies but the manufacturer recommends case lube anyway. I do not use any case lube on any of my other dies...it is not needed, but I have found that case lube on a 30 Carbine case, even with carbide die is quite a bit easier to size.

I do not want to tumble my loaded rounds to remove any case lube and I do not want to use my 550b as a single stage and clean the brass after sizing...that defeats the purpose of a progressive.

So, who makes that white stuff?

 

[Jim243]

has caused some minor corrosion on the brass cases

This is the first I have heard of that. I wonder if that product has the lube suspended in a water base? Almost all metals will over time tarnish and corrode some faster than others.

I use Lee's Case Lube mixed with alcohol in a spray bottle. When the alcohol evaporates off the case (about 10 min) it leaves a fine white powdery film on the case. After resizing, trimming and chamfering, I tumble the cases a second time to insure the case lube is removed. I only lube rifle cases, pistol cases are sized in carbide dies so no lube for them.

As to what is the white stuff you are referring to ????? could be any number of products.

Good luck and stay safe.
Jim

 

[wogpotter]

Hornady One Shot in a plastic pump bottle.

That's your problem, right there.
Hornady one shot in the pump spray is a water-based "eco-friendly" resizing lube, not a bullet lube. You're supposed to resize the brass with it then immediately wipe it off.

 

[jag2]

I think wogpotter is on point. I remember that stuff, it was terrible but I am a big fan of regular One Shot. I usually tumble dirty brass for a while, spray with One Shot and de prime then back into the tumbler. I recently tried using odorless mineral spirits, the brass comes out really bright and shiny but I think it tended to tarnish a little quicker. I'm thinking maybe using Nufinish is best. I guess it leaves a little of its polish on the brass and protects it from oxidizing. No proof, just seems that way.

 

[243winxb]

Lee Case Sizing Lube 2 oz Tube , its white. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/482023/lee-case-sizing-lube-2-oz-tube

 

[BigJimP]

I've never seen a problem with Dillon's Case lube.../ I use it as well on all handgun ammo even with carbide dies...( makes the press run a lot smoother ).

I would switch to Dillon's spray case lube...

 

[Unclenick]

I also think Wogpotter nailed it. Any hygroscopic material on the case can eventually initiate minor corrosion that attacks the zinc in the brass (easy to do). It may even cause rust in steel if the humidity isn't too low.

A brief wash in 5% citric acid and dishwashing liquid solution will also fix it right up, removing the corrosion fairly promptly.

The guys are right about the Lee lube being what you remember. It is also water-soluble, but it dries out thoroughly. When One Shot was getting a bad rap (mainly by folks not following the instructions, I think) I started pre-lubing with the Lee in rubbing alcohol in a sprayer, letting a light coat dry, then hitting it with one-shot. That gave me a smoother feel than the Lee lube alone did, yet I had the Lee, which is a very high pressure assembly lube, as backup should a case decide to be tougher than the film strength of the one-shot. Having stuck two cases over time when using Imperial Sizing Wax, I was looking for something else that was quite as messy as STP.

 

[RC20]

I liked the Hornady spray bottle and am sorry its gone.

The can is good enough but I miss the spray bottle as it worked a bit better.

I tumble my cases are re-sizing so I doubt any stuff left to corrode on cases but have not stored any either.

max nicht now I guess as none left.