lubing cast bullets

[ghostrider]

I'm using Lee alox lube for my cast bullets (both tumble lube and regular mold). The regular mold bullets need to be
resized so I'm using alox before sizing and again after. Some questions:

# anyone using a different lube before sizing? I've read that some people use various spray or dry lubes before
sizing, then alox afterwards

# on the final lube with alox, how thick a layer is required? should the lube groove on a regular bullet be
completely filled like it is on commercial cast bullets

# what do you use to clean alox of of dies and other tools?

thanks
~ghostrider~

[Jumping Frog]

There are people that will lube for the sizing step with Pam or other lubricants.

I don't bother, I keep it simple and know of many people that take that approach on other forums.

I'll lube with Lee Liquid Alox (LLA), run it through the Lee sizing die, and then relube immediately with a little more LLA. On the 2nd lube, the bullets are still wet from the first lubing, but I am simply getting the bullet base that was resized wet as well.

You DO NOT fill in the grooves with LLA like a commercial cast bullet. That is way too much lube. I've had one of those little bottles of LLA last for lubing at least 5000 bullets. It is used sparingly.

Paint thinner or minerals spirits takes LLA right off of tools -- easy clean up.

I sometimes wear a nitrile glove when I am sizing those wet bullets just to keep the stuff off my hands. Otherwise, it washes off with paint thinner.

Here are a few pics.

This one is for some of my .45 ACP 200 gr LSWC demonstrating a "regular" mold of sized and lubed bullets. Note how sparing the lube layer is. It looks like there is almost no lube at all if you are expecting that dirty brown color of the actual lube. But there IS a thin film covering the bullets. Look at the color contrast with un-lubed bullets below.


Contrast with unlubed:


Another picture showing LLA lubed bullets to demonstrate the thin film:


This one is some of my 9mm 124 gr LTC demonstrating a Lee tumble lube design of sized and lubed bullets:


These pics are from Castboolits forum to show how sparingly the lube is applied. First picture shows some bullets ready to tumble lube:


Then, since it's hard to get a good picture of how the lube looks when it is applied on the bullets, the author took a shop paper towel and put it in the bottom of the tub, then squirted his "pattern." This shows approximately how much and how large the "pattern" is that he uses to apply the lube. I use a similar amount, which is why I snagged his pictures

[MoJo]

I'd be concerned that anything used (other than alox) prior to sizing might keep the alox from adhering after sizing. Probably needless worry but but it's not that big a deal to use alox twice.

I have relubed commercial bullets that were already lubed with something else. The liquid alox stuck just fine and the dead soft swaged bullets didn't lead. I am a confirmed believer in LLA.

[Don2]

When using Lee Alox, I am using it the same way yall seem to be..Some on the bullets before sizing, then a little more after without using more than needed. Works for me.

I have a question if I may.....
Has anyone used the Alox lube that is sold online by White Label Lube Co. ?
http://www.lsstuff.com/lube/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It is suppose to be the same but WAY less expensive??????

It's tempting..I think I will order some when I make an order for some lube sticks soon.

Don2

Ps...Jumping Frog, thanks for the good pic's..!!!

[Don2]

I understand that Lee has a patent on the name ALOX, thats why they call theirs XLOX ???
Suppose to be the same, just depends on how they dilute it?

Heck for $10+ and low shipping for 32oz's, I can't see how you could go wrong.
I bet 32 oz's would last a while since 4oz's goes a long ways..!!!

But this is just my uninformed opinion.
Don2

Ps...
I'm having fun today reinstalling a new bench top, using 1" x 8" x 10' mill cut Oak (full 1x8" boards )
Setting up my surface planer and edge planer to get it all smooth and "pur-dy" and ready to bolt on.
Its so nice outside today, thought i'd make a mess outside.


Don2

[ghostrider]

thanks for the info.
the pictures were especially helpful

~ghostrider~

[Jumping Frog]

Heck for $10+ and low shipping for 32oz's, I can't see how you could go wrong.
I bet 32 oz's would last a while since 4oz's goes a long ways..!!!

I'll try it when I run out of ALOX, but I bought 5 different sizing kits from Lee, which means 5 of those little 4 oz bottles. I've lost track of how many thousands of bullets I've already done, yet I still have a lot of ALOX left to use!

[Don2]

Heck for $10+ and low shipping for 32oz's, I can't see how you could go wrong.
I bet 32 oz's would last a while since 4oz's goes a long ways..!!!

I'll try it when I run out of ALOX, but I bought 5 different sizing kits from Lee, which means 5 of those little 4 oz bottles. I've lost track of how many thousands of bullets I've already done, yet I still have a lot of ALOX left to use!

I understand, I have several 4oz bottles here too, I guess I just don't want to get stuck without supplies like a few years ago when it was hard to find a lot of reloading supplies.
I read somewhere ( memory goes first ) that someone was trying a bunch of items as bullet lube.
They tried everything from cooking oil to motor oil, but they needed to be fired very soon to keep from getting the oil in the powder..!!!
I wonder what Bacon Grease would be like as bullet lube...WoW...That might be a good idea, at least it would SMELL good when you were shooting....
Hmmmm..That makes me hungry.


I just crack me up...........!!

Don2

[Don2]

Well, if peanut butter works, and bacon grease works, then...It would be logical to say that peanut butter mixed with bacon grease would work great???
We may be laughing, but someone could be getting worried that we have stumbled onto their secret formula ???

---

------------------------------------------------->

---

Don2

[v-rog]

I've had great success with the Lee Alox (45 ACP and 9mm, tumble and grooved boolits). After casting, I heat up a cup of water and drop in the alox tube. This helps soften it up. Then I pour it on several hundred bullets at a time and mix it by hand (using latex gloves). Once the bullets have a solid coat on them (brownish), I let them dry( I stand the bullets up to dry). Like you, I size them and pour a little more Alox on them, as needed). Thanks to AndyC, I bought a generic 32 oz "alox" lube on Ebay but I have not used it yet.

I wouldn't try to fill-up the lube groove. All the boolits need is a good solid coating. I don't put any additional lubes or anything else on the bullets and I only get trace amounts of leading in my 45ACP. I use regular gun-cleaning products to clean my dies. Hope this helps.

I'm using Lee alox lube for my cast bullets (both tumble lube and regular mold). The regular mold bullets need to be
resized so I'm using alox before sizing and again after. Some questions:

# anyone using a different lube before sizing? I've read that some people use various spray or dry lubes before
sizing, then alox afterwards

# on the final lube with alox, how thick a layer is required? should the lube groove on a regular bullet be
completely filled like it is on commercial cast bullets

# what do you use to clean alox of of dies and other tools?

thanks
~ghostrider~

[Don2]

Thanks v-rog for the info.

Andy, what did you think about the lubes you bought from White Label Lube?
Which ones did you buy/try?
I guess I will order the 32oz Xlox and the Carnauba Red and the BAC ones and just try them out.
Maybe even the 2500+ ?????
At 1/3 the price of the RCBS lube or other brands..I can play with a few and not go broke?
Doesn't the Carnauba Red lube need some heat?

Andy, If you can help with any info, I will be ordering from them on Thursday this week, got an order holding at Midway and should have the mold rebuild kit in stock by then ,so I'll make all the orders then.

This post has been very interesting, Thanks ghostrider .....Seems that more people are casting bullets these dayz. Maybe its just the higher cost of jacketed bullets. I have a few old box's of Speer bullets that have a price tag on them for $8.00 WoW..Thats gone..!! Wish I had a never ending supply of wheel weights..Then I'd be almost happy

---

Thanks
Don2