Brass Lubrication

I am having my velocities and recoil changing all over the place, +- 50 fps.

The instructions for Dillion's case lubrication are to lay the brass on a surface and spray with lubricant, roll the brass around and spray again, then let dry.  I am doing all of that.  I can see the lubrication is inside the brass to varying degrees.

I have checked my powder drop many times and it is =/- 0.1 gr, with N310.  Dillon has both a Lanolin based and a synthetic based lubrication.

Can the lubrication in the case change the powder burn enough to affect the velocity?

Not really.  I’d look at crimp.  Crimp is needed to prevent the bullet a nanosecond so you get better ignition.  This is why most crimp to about .465 or so.

I stopped using Dillon’s lanolin lube because of powder contamination, even when allowed to dry completely, and even when I tumbled lubricated brass after sizing.

My powder contamination issues led to occasional weak, smoky, and underpowered rounds even with visually confirmed good throws, and even with individually measured throws off the progressive.

I stopped lubricating brass (I now tumble in walnut media with a little Nu Finish, which leaves the brass feeling a little slick after a couple hours) and all such problems stopped. Using Dillon carbide dies at all times. Crimp didn’t change (0.468-0.469).

Old or contaminated primers will do that, especially with WST

I used Dillon's lanolin lube for many years with good results. That said I will be making my own when I need more.
 I don't think case lube is causing your issues except you may be using a bit too much. I am a big fan of lanolin case lube and always lube my cases. The best way I found to use it is find an appropriate size cardboard box, Put a couple paper towels in the bottom dump your cases in, give a couple good sprays shake them around a bit and load away.

I've found a mix of 1:10 lanolin to 99% alcohol works best.  After sizing I clean the brass in a sonic cleaner.  The brass is ready to go.

As far as the crimp goes 2 people have mentioned an extreme spread in the amount of crimp to use.  Most people will crimp in the .469 to .471 range with JACKETED bullets and any where from .463 to .469 with  LEAD bullets.  Any crimp tighter than .469 with jacketed bullets may/can cause bullet deformation to occur.

Why would you lube your cases. If you use carbide dies you don't need to. I've never lubed pistol cases but rifle is another story.

maybe a Star reloader

With carbide dies, you don't have to lubricate your cases.  But the press sure works easy and my elbow likes it when I spray them with Hornady One Shot, and I get some on the inside of the cases to make the expander work smooth.

I now make my own case lube with 90% alcohol and 10% lanolin. I spray an old t-shirt with it and "massage" the cases after I pull up the ends of the t-shirt.

I use 10 to 1 lanolin to 99% alcohol mixed in a spray bottle. I spray 3 or 4 squirts in a zip lock bag, dump in my brass, massage the brass pretty good and then dump in my brass hopper. And load away. Loaded ammo goes in a vibratory tumbler for about 10 minutes. I have been very pleased with the results.

Where does one find Lanolin?

ermakevin wrote:maybe a Star reloader

Have multiple Stars for differing calibers.
All carbide dies. 
Have never had to lube.

https://www.amazon.com/Lanolin-Pharmacopeia-Grade-Eczema-Symptoms/dp/B07NSPSDPK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=15UOJ3QWQIEJX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8JSUQbfGooqaDMHHwZqz_pxewdMq0f582kZh1MM7VKRjdElYnaBRIf_JWuA_KjTF7bCNWLH_9SZhPkktJvy5ric1Qx20oEIP0sJAC4Z8oLVBv_ir6YB2cd66AKqYbp8MPAD9DvTiPtjli7aZ0DHytuomXrS2uu30UA2b_tYIw8eabuwtnW_L0Kq29Wl-Qi6DfeknURCuMQ9aeJinOMvejfJ0oWhNVD6Kexr3qXwx6lgpQgtvFf62HOKd2VdvHwYdXt85gFLqivBSHdQLqX3Y6NJGtXgIFrGbrmoz5bUNr2w.mcq14AxiiLXxhncuPWdUkHWTx1-Bc9PAuJF-r6hD-eo&dib_tag=se&keywords=Lanolin&qid=1710008817&sprefix=lanolin%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

I don't know how I loaded and shot a gazillion rounds without ever even owning any case lube.  Live and learn :}
Phil

bruce martindale wrote:Where does one find Lanolin?

I buy it on Amazon.  I had asked around a variety of stores and no one knew what I was talking about.

OHitt wrote:I use 10 to 1 lanolin to 99% alcohol mixed in a spray bottle. I spray 3 or 4 squirts in a zip lock bag, dump in my brass, massage the brass pretty good and then dump in my brass hopper. And load away. Loaded ammo goes in a vibratory tumbler for about 10 minutes. I have been very pleased with the results.

Odie (I assume you're OD from ARC?),

whats the purpose of the vibratory tumble after loading? Also I have an old lyman tumbler but having trouble imaging the rounds not sinking to the bottom and staying there rather than circulating like empty cases do.

Many thanks!
Rod

The tumbling removes the lanolin. Makes them nice and shiny too.

Also I use steel dies.

Lanolin is used by breastfeeding mothers to keep sensitive skin from getting chapped.  You can usually find it next to diapers at Walmart and other stores with baby supplies.  

It is not a typical place to look for reloading supplies!

Steve K wrote:I've found a mix of 1:10 lanolin to 99% alcohol works best.  After sizing I clean the brass in a sonic cleaner.  The brass is ready to go.

I have used 32:1 (alcohol to lanolin) based on an old NRA article for many years including thousands of rifle rounds. Never used any lube on 45ACP except the residue left on the brass after tumbling in polish!  As mentioned, crimp may be more important!

OHitt wrote:The tumbling removes the lanolin. Makes them nice and shiny too.

Many thanks.

Spray your accuracy away.