THEWELSHM
Member
Ok load station setup and lead in pot going to cast my first bullets this weekend. A lot of guys use Alox but I hear it's real sticky any better alternates?
Thewelshm
Thewelshm
Lead bullet lube question
- Thread starter THEWELSHM
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OP
THEWELSHM
Member
do I need lube on a progressive?
OP
THEWELSHM
Member
Progressive press with case resizing die. Do I still need to lube lead bullets?
Thewelshm
Thewelshm
Yes ,they need lube or they will lead the barrel.
Lubing is...
Lubing is done before the bullet sees the progressive or reloading press or whatever. A lubra-sizer does both jobs in one step.
Lubing is done before the bullet sees the progressive or reloading press or whatever. A lubra-sizer does both jobs in one step.
OP
THEWELSHM
Member
I suppose that takes me back to my original question? preferred non sticky brand preference?
thewelshm
2ndAmendmentNut
Member
The press that lubes the bullets is a separate deal than your standard reloading press. Seeing as you mentioned a sizer die on your reloading press I am assuming it is a Lee push thru style. Seeing as you are new I would give the alox a try. It is very simple and works well as a lube. The drawbacks are it is very sticky and gums everything up. Give it a try and you will quickly learn the value of the other lube sizing methods. Without a proper lube sizer press I would look into pan lubing your bullets. Pan lubing is slow but the results are good and it won't give you sticky smelly bullets.
OP
THEWELSHM
Member
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Welshman, it appears they gave up on you. Bullets when cast are not ready to load. They are over sized and need lubed. There are many ways to bring the processes to pass. You can cast if you wish but until you figure out what these people are talking about you are not ready to load. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook explains all of this and is a great loading manual also. You are currently short of a full load on information. Ivan.
Moonman
Member
There is a new to the USA coating process out.
You can Google HI-TEK bullet lube coating, or
Go to CAST BOOLITS forum for complete info.
The process has been in use in Australia by Competitive Shooters for 20 years.
It completely ENCAPSULATES THE LEAD, the coating is also the lube.
To apply you tumble lube and BAKE IN A DEDICATED CONVECTION OVEN (poison, NO FOOD BAKED AGAIN IN IT).
Bullets can be REGULAR, TUMBLE, OR NO LUBE GROOVES, it still coats and works.
No Leading.
Several US Casting companies are now making already coated bullets for sale. (Hi-TEK COATED)
You can Google HI-TEK bullet lube coating, or
Go to CAST BOOLITS forum for complete info.
The process has been in use in Australia by Competitive Shooters for 20 years.
It completely ENCAPSULATES THE LEAD, the coating is also the lube.
To apply you tumble lube and BAKE IN A DEDICATED CONVECTION OVEN (poison, NO FOOD BAKED AGAIN IN IT).
Bullets can be REGULAR, TUMBLE, OR NO LUBE GROOVES, it still coats and works.
No Leading.
Several US Casting companies are now making already coated bullets for sale. (Hi-TEK COATED)
HI-TEK coating work, but you've got to be able to follow the directions exactly and have excellent temperature control in the oven. My cheap convection oven worked for a while, but now gets temperature spikes and variations to the point that the coating isn't all it should be performance wise. Will have to do some upgrades for this process to replace more tradional lubes altogether.
BTW, for standard (non-magnum loads) I've found the "sticky" lubes do a better job.
BTW, for standard (non-magnum loads) I've found the "sticky" lubes do a better job.
In case it's not been made clear, the sizing die on your press resizes the cartridge case to fit the chamber of your gun. The bullets require a separate sizing process to fit your gun's bore. This operation is commonly combined with lubrication of the bullet to prevent leading of the bore and takes place in a separate machine, hence the term, "lubri-sizer".
Larry
Larry
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I was buying my leadcast bullets that are moly coated from Carolina bullets.
I no longer see them locally being sold. Now I purchased my leadcast bullets from http://www.snscasting.com. they come lubed but I purchased a spray moly that I can spray them and tumble them. I got the spray moly from Shop Shooting Supplies | Reloading | Gunsmithing | Hunting gear ? MidwayUSA
I was getting leading really bad before I tried the moly coated bullets. Now my leading is slim to none.
I no longer see them locally being sold. Now I purchased my leadcast bullets from http://www.snscasting.com. they come lubed but I purchased a spray moly that I can spray them and tumble them. I got the spray moly from Shop Shooting Supplies | Reloading | Gunsmithing | Hunting gear ? MidwayUSA
I was getting leading really bad before I tried the moly coated bullets. Now my leading is slim to none.
Last edited:
Moonman
Member
jaymoore,
Yes, You do have to follow directions to mix the HI-TEC coating.
NEWER "DRY POWDER" coatings will be coming to the USA this year,
You only add ACETONE to the product and mix. (Color and Catalyst are in the dry powder)
This is NOT to be confused with POWDER COATING projectiles.
YOUR DEDICATED CONVECTION OVEN DOES NEED TO HOLD THE CORRECT HEAT.
People have ADDED OTHER CONTROLS to their ovens,
I chose to purchase a NEW DEDICATED OVEN.
THE BREVILLE "SMART" CONVECTION OVEN MODEL BOV800XL does the job.
The Breville is $250 at BED/BATH/BEYOND.
You can presently find "HI-TEC" COATED bullets done by casting companies.
Gateway Bullets, Bayou Bullets and SNS Casting are 3 that I know of that can supply already coated bullets.
The PROCESS can be done for you, or you can choose to self coat.
This process TOTALLY ENCAPSULATES THE LEAD, which is becoming a REQUIREMENT in certain places already.
Yes, You do have to follow directions to mix the HI-TEC coating.
NEWER "DRY POWDER" coatings will be coming to the USA this year,
You only add ACETONE to the product and mix. (Color and Catalyst are in the dry powder)
This is NOT to be confused with POWDER COATING projectiles.
YOUR DEDICATED CONVECTION OVEN DOES NEED TO HOLD THE CORRECT HEAT.
People have ADDED OTHER CONTROLS to their ovens,
I chose to purchase a NEW DEDICATED OVEN.
THE BREVILLE "SMART" CONVECTION OVEN MODEL BOV800XL does the job.
The Breville is $250 at BED/BATH/BEYOND.
You can presently find "HI-TEC" COATED bullets done by casting companies.
Gateway Bullets, Bayou Bullets and SNS Casting are 3 that I know of that can supply already coated bullets.
The PROCESS can be done for you, or you can choose to self coat.
This process TOTALLY ENCAPSULATES THE LEAD, which is becoming a REQUIREMENT in certain places already.
Moonman
Member
THEWELSHM,
I think you need to do a BUNCH OF READING before you try to cast and load.
You need to know WHAT SIZE is your firearms BARREL GROOVE and if a revolver, THE CYLINDER SIZES.
Casting for WHAT CALIBER, different calibers have different ALLOY REQUIREMENTS?
Different lubes from ALOX, to a mix of 45% ALOX/45% Mineral Spirits/10% Johnson's Paste Wax. (this is LESS STICKY THAN STRAIGHT ALOX).
There are many different WAX LUBES available as well as COATING PROJECTILES WITH POLYMER OR POWDER COATING.
Your BULLETS NEED SIZED/LUBED THEMSELVES, your Hornady LNL-AP press will SIZE YOUR BRASS.
If your press has CARBIDE DIES some say LUBING THE BRASS IS UNNECESSARY, I lube some BRASS anyway, makes the press easier to operate.
I USE HORNADY "ONE SHOT LUBE"
Rifle Brass NEEDS TO BE LUBRICATED.
Your cast bullets CAN CHANGE SIZE with different ALLOYS and TEMPERATURES from the same mold.
GOOD LUCK BUT I THINK YOU SHOULD READ FIRST.
REMEMBER YOUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT, I WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AND A FULL FACE SHIELD, YOU ONLY HAVE 1 SET OF EYES
WEAR COTTON CLOTHING AS SYNTHETIC FIBERS "MELT" IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR, OR "THE TINSEL FAIRY PAYS YOU A VISIT."
I think you need to do a BUNCH OF READING before you try to cast and load.
You need to know WHAT SIZE is your firearms BARREL GROOVE and if a revolver, THE CYLINDER SIZES.
Casting for WHAT CALIBER, different calibers have different ALLOY REQUIREMENTS?
Different lubes from ALOX, to a mix of 45% ALOX/45% Mineral Spirits/10% Johnson's Paste Wax. (this is LESS STICKY THAN STRAIGHT ALOX).
There are many different WAX LUBES available as well as COATING PROJECTILES WITH POLYMER OR POWDER COATING.
Your BULLETS NEED SIZED/LUBED THEMSELVES, your Hornady LNL-AP press will SIZE YOUR BRASS.
If your press has CARBIDE DIES some say LUBING THE BRASS IS UNNECESSARY, I lube some BRASS anyway, makes the press easier to operate.
I USE HORNADY "ONE SHOT LUBE"
Rifle Brass NEEDS TO BE LUBRICATED.
Your cast bullets CAN CHANGE SIZE with different ALLOYS and TEMPERATURES from the same mold.
GOOD LUCK BUT I THINK YOU SHOULD READ FIRST.
REMEMBER YOUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT, I WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AND A FULL FACE SHIELD, YOU ONLY HAVE 1 SET OF EYES
WEAR COTTON CLOTHING AS SYNTHETIC FIBERS "MELT" IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR, OR "THE TINSEL FAIRY PAYS YOU A VISIT."
fredj338
Member
The least sticky lubes are those that need a heat element to flow. Something like Magma, very hard, not sticky at all. There is a company called White Label, very good products for a very inexpensive price. Their Carnuba Red needs about 105deg to flow in a luber/sizer. When it cools, pretty non sticky.
Lots of work being done on non conventional lubes like HiTek. IMO, PITA to apply, but if it floats your boat, why not. They do offer less smoke & all wax based bullet lubes will smoke.
Lots of work being done on non conventional lubes like HiTek. IMO, PITA to apply, but if it floats your boat, why not. They do offer less smoke & all wax based bullet lubes will smoke.
Moonman
Member
fredj338,
I think the OP possibly only has a Lee sizer and the ALOX that came with it.
He was looking for a less sticky lube, but we're not sure he fully understands the Casting and Reloading methodology.
He has a Hornady LNL-AP Press.
I think the OP possibly only has a Lee sizer and the ALOX that came with it.
He was looking for a less sticky lube, but we're not sure he fully understands the Casting and Reloading methodology.
He has a Hornady LNL-AP Press.
klausinak
US Veteran
WELSHM-
Try reading the stickies over @ Castboolits:
From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners
They'll explain a lot
-Klaus
Try reading the stickies over @ Castboolits:
From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners
They'll explain a lot
-Klaus
