Imperial Wax Case Lube

[BC Sportsman]

Just reading "Practical Guide to Reloading" by Nathan Foster. He writes that dies need to be cleaned to remove lube after use as water based wax lube can cause rusting of the die if the die is put away before it is fully dry. I read that Imperial Wax Case Lube is "water based". Is that true? I intended to clean my dies out after about 100 cases but I might only do 20 - 40 cases at a time, maybe a few weeks or months apart. So, cleaning dies once or twice a year is what I expected to do to get rid of accumulated residue.

Any advice?

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

I've never had an issue with it over the years. Recently I've switched to using FrogLube for case sizing. Try it and you'll like it.

 

[elf]

I used Imperial for years and never had that problem,. I switched to Hornady Unique lube recently cause it is much cheaper and a tub lasts a long time.

 

[tvarden]

Have been using it for the last few years with no issues.. Really only lube I use and trust on my big boys
(50 BMG, 416 Rigby, 338 Lapua).

 

[Savage 12BVSS]

Never a problem, used for years, although like others have went to another method of lubrication.

 

[LDHunter]

I've used it for over 20 years with absolutely no issues.

 

[gunaddict]

I've used it for over 20 years with absolutely no issues.

Me Too!!

 

[md66948]

I have been using Dillon's Spray Lube but I am going to try making my own in the near future.

 

[Rick Richard]

Great stuff. All I use. By the way, can't remember the last time I cleaned any of my dies.

 

[GLTaylor]

Imperiaj is great stuff. Been using it nearly 40 years in all my dies. Never had any rust issues. Lasts a long long time. Use very sparingly. It only takes a Little!

 

[BC Sportsman]

My concern was it might rust my dies in between prolonged periods of storage. Everyone's opinion seems to be is that it doesn't. Appreciate the help.

 

[LDHunter]

It's hard not to use too much of the Imperial Sizing Wax and your dies may need cleaning anyway. If you see lube dents in the shoulders of your brass then it's definitely time to clean but I can't imagine dies rusting from not being cleaned with it.

I just barely dab a finger in the container and get a tiny bit on my finger tip then smear is on the case lightly before FL sizing and it's always worked for me that way.

Even so you will eventually have to clean periodically. Maybe every 100 to 300 rounds. YMMV.....

 

[ThrdKllr]

I use the RCBS with the pad and it's water soluble also but I haven't noticed any of my dies having a rust problem. Maybe you are not shooting enough?

 

[crazyhorse]

Been using Imperial for years with great results. I'm always mindful of not over using just swiping my finger across the top and rubbing into my thumb. I lube and size 25 at a time usually loading in batches of 50.

During the summer when it gets so hot that shooting isn't fun I always clean out all of my dies using Kroil and .410 bore mop. Imperial can get a little sticky if it builds up and is allowed to sit.