powder contamination from lube/wax

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locknloader

New member
So was thinking the other day... everyone says you have to wash your case lube off when done (presumably to avoid powder contamination) and then i remembered some people add wax/polish when dry tumbling, or use a wash and wax if wet tumbling but i never see anyone call this out for potential powder contamination, just case lube.

So what is your opinion on this? Why does wax/polish get a pass, but case lube does not?
 
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gwpercle

New member
Even the thick greasy case lubes , think STP oil treatment , that are applied by rolling over a saturated lube pad , are not really that much of a detriment to powder charges. True the cases should be wiped off .
The cases are greasy so handling them leads to greasy fingers and is more messy than anything... I wipe the cases off just so my fingers stay clean.

Wax lubes , like Lee Case Lube , dry...in fact you are supposed to let the Lee Case lube dry before you size the case. Ever since I tried the stuff I dumped the greasy kid stuff just because it doesn't need to be removed and it's not messy.
I mix the Lee Case Lube with denatured alcohol , put it in a spray bottle, mist the cases in a small container, shake around and mist again...let them dry and the light wax film just gets rubbed off during reloading with no contamination what so ever !
Try this method some time....clean and non-greasy !

The reason wax gets a pass is because it's dry...it just doesn't contaminate .
Gary
 
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locknloader

New member
I pretty much do that now but with a lanolin / alcohol mixture. I use a very light coating and do not experience any sticky cases from excess lube. Rifle reloads already require so many extra steps over handgun i don't want to add another washing step if it can be avoided.
 
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arlaunch

New member
No lube should be left on case walls. Case expansion and sealing against the chamber walls, takes a lot of force off the case head/Rim.

If you have to buy extra wax and things that do not contribute to accuracy, go light and wipe it all off.

My family just uses corn media without additives. Not saying our bullets or practices are more accurate than others.
 
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