Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
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noylj
Wobbley
Mountainwoodturner
7 posters
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Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
I have been casting 38 spc and 45 ACP using Lee molds TL358-158-SWC and TL452-230-2R. I have been tumble lubing them twice, first before passing through an appropriate Lee Lube and Size die using Lee Liquid Alox. After drying again, I lube them a second time with the same and after dry, load them. Other brands of molds or Lee patterns seem to use bullet designs that seem to call for the lube groves to be filled with a lube either from pan lubing or running through a Lubrisizer.
I don't plan on casting for rifle.
Other than the fact that I already own these molds and have the Lee Lube and Size dies for the two calibers that I shoot, are there big differences in the results that I would get from using pan or purchase a Lubrisizer.
If I did the pan lube, could I size them after lubing by passing them through my Lee Lube and Size die?
John
Mountainwoodturner- Posts : 6
Join date : 2016-02-25
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
The answer is how well do they shoot? If your method gives good results then why change.
That said, for bullseye competition these bullets aren't the best choice. Most shooters use a 185 or 200 SWC design in 45. Mostly to get a reduction in recoil. A 2700 point match is an endurance exercise and a heavy recoiling gun adds to the punishment. The 38 isn't used as much these days except for Distinguished Revolver and your bullets are fine for that course.
There are also people now experimenting with coated bullets using commercially available powder coating systems. But I don't know how accurate they are compared to a regularly lubed and sized bullet.
That said, for bullseye competition these bullets aren't the best choice. Most shooters use a 185 or 200 SWC design in 45. Mostly to get a reduction in recoil. A 2700 point match is an endurance exercise and a heavy recoiling gun adds to the punishment. The 38 isn't used as much these days except for Distinguished Revolver and your bullets are fine for that course.
There are also people now experimenting with coated bullets using commercially available powder coating systems. But I don't know how accurate they are compared to a regularly lubed and sized bullet.
Wobbley- Admin
- Posts : 4805
Join date : 2015-02-12
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
I found decades ago that shooting as-cast (unsized) bullets was more accurate. I went through using a Lubri-Sizer with a size die about 0.001" larger than the average cast bullet diameter, to pan-lubing, to tumble lubing. I find tumble lubing is as good as it gets and a LOT faster than any other method.
I never liked rattling my bullets around for tumble lubing, so I got a glass casserole dish and I put up to 500 bullets in the dish, set them on their sides, and squirt a "z" of LLA or Xlox or 45/45/10 on them and then shuffle or turn them for about 30 seconds or so. Inspect and be sure all bullets have a wet/shiny look. If so, dump out on wax paper or Al foil. If not, squirt just a little more on and shuffle/rotate for another 30 seconds. Bullets should still be silvery and NOT yellow/amber/brown. Most use too much lube.
SAAMI spec for .45 lead bullets is 0.453".
Currently, I don't have enough lead to cast my own (I loved RCBS 452-201-KT and H&G #68 200gn L-SWC molds), and use Zero 200gn swaged and coated L-SWC and Zero 200gn swaged L-SWC.
I never liked rattling my bullets around for tumble lubing, so I got a glass casserole dish and I put up to 500 bullets in the dish, set them on their sides, and squirt a "z" of LLA or Xlox or 45/45/10 on them and then shuffle or turn them for about 30 seconds or so. Inspect and be sure all bullets have a wet/shiny look. If so, dump out on wax paper or Al foil. If not, squirt just a little more on and shuffle/rotate for another 30 seconds. Bullets should still be silvery and NOT yellow/amber/brown. Most use too much lube.
SAAMI spec for .45 lead bullets is 0.453".
Currently, I don't have enough lead to cast my own (I loved RCBS 452-201-KT and H&G #68 200gn L-SWC molds), and use Zero 200gn swaged and coated L-SWC and Zero 200gn swaged L-SWC.
noylj- Posts : 433
Join date : 2012-03-09
Age : 75
Location : SW USA
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
Thanks for the reply. I have seen references before to "45-45-10" as a lube but don't know the contents of the mix. Can you advise?noylj wrote:I found decades ago that shooting as-cast (unsized) bullets was more accurate. I went through using a Lubri-Sizer with a size die about 0.001" larger than the average cast bullet diameter, to pan-lubing, to tumble lubing. I find tumble lubing is as good as it gets and a LOT faster than any other method.
I never liked rattling my bullets around for tumble lubing, so I got a glass casserole dish and I put up to 500 bullets in the dish, set them on their sides, and squirt a "z" of LLA or Xlox or 45/45/10 on them and then shuffle or turn them for about 30 seconds or so. Inspect and be sure all bullets have a wet/shiny look. If so, dump out on wax paper or Al foil. If not, squirt just a little more on and shuffle/rotate for another 30 seconds. Bullets should still be silvery and NOT yellow/amber/brown. Most use too much lube.
SAAMI spec for .45 lead bullets is 0.453".
Currently, I don't have enough lead to cast my own (I loved RCBS 452-201-KT and H&G #68 200gn L-SWC molds), and use Zero 200gn swaged and coated L-SWC and Zero 200gn swaged L-SWC.
Thanks
John
Mountainwoodturner- Posts : 6
Join date : 2016-02-25
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
45 Lee alox
45 Johnson paste wax
10 odorless mineral spirits
45 Johnson paste wax
10 odorless mineral spirits
jglenn21- Posts : 2620
Join date : 2015-04-07
Age : 76
Location : monroe , ga
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
Great! Thanksjglenn21 wrote:45 Lee alox
45 Johnson paste wax
10 odorless mineral spirits
John
Mountainwoodturner- Posts : 6
Join date : 2016-02-25
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
It can be purchased pre-made for 17.95 per half gallon
STEVE SAMELAK- Posts : 958
Join date : 2011-06-10
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
Check out white label lubes for it pre made
Not worth the effort to make it yourself at their prices.
Great stuff. A little goes a long way
Not worth the effort to make it yourself at their prices.
Great stuff. A little goes a long way
jglenn21- Posts : 2620
Join date : 2015-04-07
Age : 76
Location : monroe , ga
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
White lable Lube has is for $17.25 per QUART plus $5.60 shipping, not half gallon. Is the half gallon available from another vendor for the $17.95 per half gallon?STEVE SAMELAK wrote:It can be purchased pre-made for 17.95 per half gallon
Thanks
John
Mountainwoodturner- Posts : 6
Join date : 2016-02-25
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
nope...brain malfunction on my part
STEVE SAMELAK- Posts : 958
Join date : 2011-06-10
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
STEVE SAMELAK wrote:nope...brain malfunction on my part
No alibis allowed
Jack H- Posts : 2699
Join date : 2011-06-10
Age : 75
Location : Oregon
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
but I only pulled the slide back a little to make sure it was jammed
STEVE SAMELAK- Posts : 958
Join date : 2011-06-10
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
Which tumble lube is preferred? Lee Liguid Alox, Xlox or 45-45-10? Noylj said he used each.
John
John
Mountainwoodturner- Posts : 6
Join date : 2016-02-25
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
just my experience but I find the 45-45-10 to be better
it dries faster and I think harder. much easier to deal with too.
1st time you use it you will use too much..
it dries faster and I think harder. much easier to deal with too.
1st time you use it you will use too much..
jglenn21- Posts : 2620
Join date : 2015-04-07
Age : 76
Location : monroe , ga
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
You can also mix 60% liquid alox with 40% "Johnsons One Step No Buff Floor Care" wax for a tumble lube version called "Bens Liquid Lube". I haven't used much of it yet, but it is receiving excellent reviews for its simplicity, and efficiency. It's developing a big following with casters who don't use a lubrisizer. It dries with a harder, drier finish than I've experienced with straight tumble lube, or 45/45/10.
Guest- Guest
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
I bought a can of the Johnson's No Buff Floor Wax and mixed with some Lee Alox. I'll try on my next batch of .45 bullets.358156hp wrote:You can also mix 60% liquid alox with 40% "Johnsons One Step No Buff Floor Care" wax for a tumble lube version called "Bens Liquid Lube". I haven't used much of it yet, but it is receiving excellent reviews for its simplicity, and efficiency. It's developing a big following with casters who don't use a lubrisizer. It dries with a harder, drier finish than I've experienced with straight tumble lube, or 45/45/10.
Thanks
John
Mountainwoodturner- Posts : 6
Join date : 2016-02-25
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
it works pretty much the same as the 45-45-10 formula.. if you look on the Johnson site you'll see it has mineral spirits and other waxes as it's ingredients.
good way to use up your Lee alox which I have always found way too thick
good way to use up your Lee alox which I have always found way too thick
Last edited by jglenn21 on 3/7/2016, 4:50 pm; edited 1 time in total
jglenn21- Posts : 2620
Join date : 2015-04-07
Age : 76
Location : monroe , ga
Re: Bullet lube -tumble, pan, or Lubrisizer ?
You guys got me interested in this 45-45 10 thing. I mixed up a batch this weekend and I must say, I'm quite impressed. I've fired a couple hundred rounds through my Kart barreled 45. No evidence of leading and good accuracy. I'm using a 200 grain Noe SWC.
This really speeds up the lubing process!
Jim
This really speeds up the lubing process!
Jim
JKR- Posts : 763
Join date : 2015-01-13
Location : Northern Wisconsin
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