Lube for Cast bullets

tokguy

tokguy

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I'm set to (finally) cast some bullets and do up some (hopefully) decent ammunition for my 38-55.
I would appriecate any insights as to the best way( and product) to lube the cast bullets. I don't think I can justify an expensive set-up for the limited amount of rounds I'll be casting some hand labour is OK
Thanks for your help
 
I make my own lubes and spare no expense as I believe that lubes are very important to accurate shooting in both smokeless and Black Powder shooting. The BP lube is the same formula used by the US Gov. in 1873 and includes lanolin and Bayberry wax(no petroleum products), the smokeless lube contains lots of carnauba wax among other things. I only mention this because I believe that lube is very important, and as a new caster you should invest in a proper lube/sizer and good lube such as the SPG mentioned earlier although it is overpriced if you're going to use alot. The lube sizer will give you a chance to try diff. diameters of your bullet until you find the size your bore likes best, while lubing the bullet at the same time without making a mess.
 
ben hunchak said:
I make my own lubes and spare no expense as I believe that lubes are very important to accurate shooting in both smokeless and Black Powder shooting. The BP lube is the same formula used by the US Gov. in 1873 and includes lanolin and Bayberry wax(no petroleum products), the smokeless lube contains lots of carnauba wax among other things. I only mention this because I believe that lube is very important, and as a new caster you should invest in a proper lube/sizer and good lube such as the SPG mentioned earlier although it is overpriced if you're going to use alot. The lube sizer will give you a chance to try diff. diameters of your bullet until you find the size your bore likes best, while lubing the bullet at the same time without making a mess.
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Hi Ben,

Where do you get your lanolin and Bayberry wax? I wouldn't mind trying some of the original lube formula.

How do you find it compares to SPG?

thanks,

Chris.
 
I get all my ingredients shipped up from the States from places I found on the net(google), I will try and find the names of the outfits by looking through my receipts, you'll also need beeswax....Ben
 
Thanks for the advice. I am aware that I'm going it have to get some set-up for lube, but... I've been staying with the Lee products. They don't have a 38-55 lube unit; special manufactor only.
And I just can't seem to justify spending more on a lube setup than the reloader...I'm cheap that way. I would rather take more time and fight with mess.
I'll probably only cast a couple of dozen rd's a year at best
 
tokguy said:
And I just can't seem to justify spending more on a lube setup than the reloader...I'm cheap that way. I would rather take more time and fight with mess.
I'll probably only cast a couple of dozen rd's a year at best
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Seriously doubt if you are cheaper than myself:D

What velocity will you shoot that 38-55. If you keep velocities less than 1,600 fps, I think Lee Liquid Alox or its equivalents like X-Lox will work, even with traditional (non-tumble lube designs) grooved bullets.

Since you don't mind taking the time and cleaning mess, just hand lube the part of the bullet that engages the rifling. I put on two thick coats on my 357magnum bullets and get no leading.
 
ben hunchak said:
I get all my ingredients shipped up from the States from places I found on the net(google), I will try and find the names of the outfits by looking through my receipts, you'll also need beeswax....Ben
Click to expand...

I've got a good source for beeswax. The Honey Bee Centre in Cloverdale (B.C.).

To date my lube has been either 50/50 beeswax and olive oil, or 40/60 beeswax and olive oil :D. I did pick up a few tubes of SPG on my last trip to the states though. It'll be interesting to see how they compare.

Chris.
 
Not sayin' this place isn't great, but... Have you checked out the Castboolits forums yet?

It's another great source of info.

Some search phrases there that will get you set up.

Pan Lube.
Cookie Cutter.
Lee push through sizer.
Open Lee sizer.:D

Among other phrases.... I've actually had pretty decent luck with the search engine there.

A push through sizer can be resized up, by the application of appropriate reamers, or less elegantly, with sandpaper onna stick in a electric drill. It happens, it works, and no, it ain't all that pretty...

One thing to pay attention to. Black or smokeless powder. Lubes that work great with smokeless, can turn into misery with black.

Worth a look!

Cheers
Trev
 
Alberta produces more honey than any other province. If you can't find beeswax here, you don't know how to look.

I literally was driving down the highway one day and saw a fellow in the yard of a small honey processing outfit. I pulled over and asked and he let me help myself to the shredder grade wax. A shopping bag full yielded over 700g of wax after filtering out the bee parts and comb wire.
 
I am a non traditionalist. I cast 500 grain bullets for the 45/70, I moly coat them with aerosol moly, after they are dry, I just use the Lee Lube. It works good for me, I shoot them at just less than 1900 fps, I also moly coat the barrel.
 
I make my own Felix Lube. Your local pharmacy can provide you with anhydrous lanolin. Any farmer's market, health-food store or candle maker should be able to provide you with raw beeswax. Other stuff like mineral oil and sodium sterate, i.e., Ivory Soap are available from any drug store, etc...
 
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