Removing Imperial Sizing Wax

01 June 2004, 06:27

Dino32HR

I am using Imperial Sizing Wax (for the first time) to form .357 Max brass to .300 Whisper.

Can anyone tell me the best way to remove the wax from the brass? Soap and water wash? Tumbler?

Thanks !

01 June 2004, 06:40

covey16

Dino
I usually give cases about 20 minutes tumbler time, but if you just have a few cases,Imperial wipes off fairly easily.
Remember a little bit of this stuff goes a long way.

good luck
Covey16

01 June 2004, 06:50

Redhawk1

After sizing, I just wipe them off and clean the primer pockets at the same time. Very easy to remove. I use the Imperial sizing wax for 90% of my reloading. I tumble my brass before I resize the case.

01 June 2004, 07:47

covey16

Redhawk
I tumble before and after. Just picky I guess.

Covey16

01 June 2004, 08:19

voldoc02

Tumbling after resizing causes small imperfections in the case neck and mouth. If you are after the very best accuracy(which is why most of us handload ) tumble before sizing, Hope this helps, Doc Stone

01 June 2004, 08:48

Redhawk1

Quote:

Tumbling after resizing causes small imperfections in the case neck and mouth. If you are after the very best accuracy(which is why most of us handload ) tumble before sizing, Hope this helps, Doc Stone

My thoughts also.

01 June 2004, 09:26

covey16

been doing this for a very long time.
Never noticed that it made any difference.
I guess you guys are the caliber of shooters that notice the miniscule differences that might occurr
in 20 minutes of vibratory tumbling.
I shoot 5k or more rounds per year and don't have time to hand wipe all cases.
I guess I need to shoot more so I can notice the differences you guys do.

01 June 2004, 11:46

kraky

No way would I worry about "imperfections" after tumbling.
(Unless you're using some other medai other than walnut or corn.). Anyhow, I've thought that imperial wax was pretty much water soluable--at lease a damp hvy paper shop towel has always been good enough for me. BUT, I always remove any lube from inside the casemouth. I use small pieces of damp shop towel wrapped around a undersized nylon bore brush or mica type applicator.

01 June 2004, 15:03

Dino32HR

For shot cases, I tumble, de-cap; neck-size only (with graphite as the lube), clean the primer pockets, chamfer and then deburr. Then it is ready to be reloaded.

I'm forming 250 cases, so I want an easy method to clean the wax off. After forming I will be cutting them to length. I'll tumble them before final cut to length. I'll inspect them and the pilot should open any dinged neck ends should there be any. Fireforming should take care of any other imperfections.

I'm surprised to hear that water will take the wax off. Just don't sound right, ya know? But - it must if it is done.

Thanks all !

04 June 2004, 06:13

jpb

I stay away from the acetone whenever I can -- and for this job there are solutions which are just as easy so there is little reason to use it.

Get a plastic container (empty margarine tub, Tupperwear, etc.).

1. Fill about half with cases, then ONE teaspoon of automatic dishwasher detergent and fill with tap water as hot as you can get it.

2. Shake for half a minute, dump, and fill with hot tap water again.

3. repeat #2 (with boiling water if you are in a hurry).

4. Dump the water, shake well, then dump the cases on a towel. The heat will dry them almost instantly. When the cases are cool, they are also dry (just like cleaning a blackpowder rifle barrel).

Your cases will be completely degreased, free of grit, but won't be shiny (which is as necessary as tits on a bull anyway).

This method avoids the considerable exposure to lead residue (from primers) that you get from case tumbler dust. Buy a commercial lead testing kit from your hardware store and test the bench top where you case tumbler sits if you don't believe me...

jpb

04 June 2004, 07:05

PPosey

Thinking about trying this wax, do you recomend it to someone starting out reloading? seems that it would be easier to use myself

04 June 2004, 07:42

Arts

I didn't use it for the first 40 years--wish I had. That answer your question?

04 June 2004, 07:52

PPosey

Pretty much,,,,is their any need for a lub pad and traditional style lub if using the wax?

I will be full sizing 7mm-08, 30-30, 9mm and 10mm

04 June 2004, 09:04

Arts

Nope. Put a tiny bit on your finger/thumb and twirl the case & neck. Empasis A TINY BIT!

04 June 2004, 09:26

PPosey

Thats what Ive heard,,, thanks

08 June 2004, 07:33

Dino32HR

Well . . .

I'm a gonna open-up a whole new can of worms here but:

I started with the Imperial and it seemed to be working fine. I tried several different amounts until I found what worked best.

One thing I did find was the variation in annealing that I did. Some were definitely harder to form, others easier; none tore or wrinkled though.

I'm stroking along resizing and remembered I bought a couple of tubes of the Lee Resizing lube a couple years ago. I thought - "What the Hell; I'll try that too."

Well I did. WOW !! Much easier all around on forming than with the Imperial. I was amazed. It's a little messier, but holy fricoli does it work good !

I know a lot of you swear by the Imperial, but I suggest you give the Lee stuff a try. It's dirt cheap, works SUPER and is water-soluable.

After froming them all (didn't lose a one this time around) I soaked and swished the brass in some hot soapy water, rinsed it three times and dried them on a towel in the sun.

I'll tumble them before loading though to take the heat cor out and polish them-up to look purty.

Just my $ 0.02.

BTW - I got my new Redding case trimmer last Thursday. Tried it, fought with it, ran ten cases through it and packed it up to return. I ordered a RCBS that same night from Midsouth. While I love every piece of Redding equipment I own, especially my scale, the trimmer was VERY dissapointing.

If there are any questions on the Redding trimmer fiasco, email me and I'll start a seperate topic.

08 June 2004, 09:07

covey16

Dino
Before you purchase the RCBS consider a Wilson. There is no comparison in the quality of the end result and they can be adapted to do more than just trim.
The only disadvantage is if you reload a large number of different calibers. The case holders are about $5.00 US per caliber while the RCBS kit comes with the parts for most calibers.
If your heart is set on RCBS, email me and I'll make you a good deal on mine.
It's in good shape, but very dusty since I started using the Wilson several years ago.

On the Lee lube, what ever works.
I havent used a lee product since my Lee Loader when I was a teenager.
Lee stuff is of excellent design, but poor execution jmo. The guy definitely looked at the world from a unique perspective.
good luck
Covey16

08 June 2004, 11:03

mho

The Wilson trimmer is indeed excellent.
- mike

08 June 2004, 13:26

Blackhawk44

Take an old gym sock and put in a couple of handfuls of shells. Splash on rubbing alcohol about halfway down then, a few at a time, rub them around as you pour them out. Done.