I recently took possession of some commercial cast lead bullets, and they are covered in excessive bullet lube. How or what are some of you doing or using to remove the extra lube?

Thanks in advance.

Joe

A big glob I might scrape off but otherwise I don't worry about it.

I had some 9mm like that once and I tumbled them for about 30 minutes after loading them.

I have used some Remington .455" 250 LRN,s for my Colt SAA's that have an excess of a graphite lube on them and they would gunk up the seating punch rapidly and start deep seating the bullets. So I used a terrycloth wash cloth to clean up the nose with a few twists and wipe off the base and then seat them, problem solved. A PIA to be sure but worth while to keep the seating die gunk free.

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Stay safe people!

Load them, then wipe off the excess from the mouth of the cartridge.

I typically use a paper towel to wipe down finished rounds and have had no issues. But the batch I'm loading with now the blue lube just smears. I'll give a terry cloth a try.

Joe

The newer wax lubes don't pick up dirt like the older grease type lubes, so I don't worry about it. If it's truly extra, it will get scraped off during bullet seating. I just clean the die when the bullet starts seating deeper.

Life's too short to wipe individual bullets or cartridges.

Depending upon the lube type, try placing the bullets nose-up on a piece of tinfoil, and heating them with a hairdryer. The lube should melt and flow off. The BPCR folks shared this tip for when lube dries out. I would try on one or two to test if it works in your application. For something like Alox tumble lube, it wipes off with an old rag. Hope this helps. Marv

Marv great tip I will try it after work this evening.

Joe

I have had the same problem with various lead cast bullets. I really watch the inside of the seater dye and check plus clean often.

To remove the lube from loaded cases I use a cotton rag and a little goo-gone. With a twist or two the lube comes off and you don't have to rub as hard or as much. A little goo-gone goes a long way.

I just shoot it off. I like the smell and the smoke. ;-)

I used to do the rag and twist method.

I don't even both anymore.

If it's a lot....I will knock it off with my fingernail. if it's a thin layer......I don't waste my time.

I do clean my seat and crimp die when I start showing build up. I use a solvent soaked cotton ball mop and with a couple of twists followed by a dry cloth which keeps the lube build up to a minimum.

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if you're gonna be a bear...

I take each round from the tray they fall into from the reloading press and wipe off the bullet and case with a cloth that has some WD-40 on it before placing the finished round in the plastic ammo box. It also gives me a chance to inspect each round visually for any defects and gets off any excess bullet lube.

If they are really messy, I'd wipe the case mouths with a paper towel. You may have to rub a little to get some types of lube off.

SW CQB 45 makes an important point - the necessity of cleaning your seating die.

I use the paper "Rags in a box". I don't like the sticky lube picking up dirt or ? and running through my barrels. About a year ago a bullet caster had been buying bullets from notified me he was quitting as his supply of wheel weights was drying up. I ordered 3000 rds. of 9mm 125's which he could still supply. I'm still loading them and they do have a sticky residue on the bullet.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Update: I tried several of your recommendations and offer the following.

I tried this, and the results were OK, still too much effort to remove the lube I've got.

I tried this method but on loaded rounds initially, it worked really good as the lube flows off. However, I was a little weary of applying heat to loaded rounds and reverted to Marcruger's idea. Placed just the bullets on tin foil and applied heat (Harbor Freight heat-gun) for 3-4 seconds and clean up was very easy. I have since lubed the cleaned bullets with Liquid Alox, See the photo's below of what I am dealing with in regards to lube:

I would definitely not take credit for the hairdryer idea. I am just sharing some info that the BPCR folks blessed me with.

I would certainly NOT apply heat to any of them that are loaded. Also, I think the key is to apply just enough heat to melt the lube, but not damage or slump the bullets.

Some of the BPCR folks suggest the lube can be re-used, but that seems like a lot of effort to me.

As an aside, I have had good luck with adding Lee Alox tumble lube over pre-lubed Oregon Trails bullets. It seems to add just that much more protective slickness to prevent leading.....or keep it to a very low amount.

Hope this helps. Best wishes, Marc

Joe,
Sorry, I didn't think you were dealing with that much excess lube. With that much excess lube I would try a rag with paint thinner or mineral spirits to see what dissolves the lube best. My use of a rag with WD-40 works with small blobs of blue lube on the side of the bullet or case, but you have a much different situation. Best of luck...
Stu