Seems like way too much naptha. The original mix was 45/45/10 and you need to warm it up to get the Alox and wax to combine.
45% LLA,45% JPW, 10% Mineral spirits is the recipe I've used for years.
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castbullets and lee liquid lube?
- Thread starter johnnyjr
- Start date
Seems like way too much naptha. The original mix was 45/45/10 and you need to warm it up to get the Alox and wax to combine.
45% LLA,45% JPW, 10% Mineral spirits is the recipe I've used for years.
I stopped at 2400 fps with lubed bullets but friends have gone to 2800 fps. It is using a balanced, fitted bullet and a +++ quality lube, in this case home made with micro waxes.
Protocall_Design
Vendor
The best lube I've found without mixing your own is White Label brand Carnuba Wax lube. It is low smoke, works great, and is inexpensive.
rockquarry
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I haven't subscribed to "The Fouling Shot" (official publication of The Cast Bullet Association) in a long time, but the back pages of every magazine included results of competitive events, mostly rifle, I think. Listed was the information on what guns, bullets, lubes, etc. that the competitors used.
CBA competition is the "big league" of cast bullet shooting with true experts involved. I have no idea how many of these guys use "high tech" powder coated bullets, but if it's anywhere close to a majority, I'll become a convert and admit I'm really missing a process that would be beneficial.
CBA competition is the "big league" of cast bullet shooting with true experts involved. I have no idea how many of these guys use "high tech" powder coated bullets, but if it's anywhere close to a majority, I'll become a convert and admit I'm really missing a process that would be beneficial.
smoothshooter
Member
How do you apply it?
That's great - IF you already have a can of the Johnson's Liquid Floor Wax. Lucky for you that you have some.
Unfortunately they discontinued making and selling that product a few years ago. Try finding it now - better yet try affording it if you can find it. The last time I saw anyone offering a can for sale they were asking over 100 BUCKS for a quart can like the one in your photo!
That is why the new formula on the CastBoolits forum uses the LundMark Liquid Paste Wax - it is a substitute for the Johnsons Liquid Floor Wax.
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ACORN
Member
My question is when using straight LLA how much lube do you use? Everyone says a small amount or a little blob. Pretty vague. For 50 158gr SWCs how much lube, 1/2 tsp., 1/4?
Same question on 45/45/10?
I'm going to cast Lee's TL358-148SWC and don't want my bullets and fingers looking like an order of General Tso's chicken.
Same question on 45/45/10?
I'm going to cast Lee's TL358-148SWC and don't want my bullets and fingers looking like an order of General Tso's chicken.
DumpStick
US Veteran
When I use 45/45/10, I use 1/4 teaspoon with 2 pounds of lead bullets. Warm the bullets with a heat gun, to where you can still touch them. Tumble in a whip cream container, dump out. Dry in 30 minutes.
Then I run them through a push through sizer.
Tumble again in 1/4 tsp per 2 pounds, without warming bullets.
Dump out on wax paper, let dry.
This recipe is for handgun. For rifle, I dip the bullet in the lube, stand them on end on wax paper, let dry.
I could probably cut the first application in half prior to sizing.
Then I run them through a push through sizer.
Tumble again in 1/4 tsp per 2 pounds, without warming bullets.
Dump out on wax paper, let dry.
This recipe is for handgun. For rifle, I dip the bullet in the lube, stand them on end on wax paper, let dry.
I could probably cut the first application in half prior to sizing.
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ACORN
Member
Thank You DS. I'm just loading for revolvers but your info is exactly what I was looking for.
Appreciate your reply..I really have no intention of trying to go to fast..I really can't take to recoil such as a younger shooter may be able to obsorb..Maybe I wouldn't get any leading just wanted to see if others have done the same thing..John
The Norseman
Member
Tumble
I put my Bullets in a Plastic Butter Tub, usually 50
bullets and approximately 6 drops of 60/40 LLA mix.
I tumble Bullets in the Tub maybe 3 minutes (you
have to check). Coating on Bullet is not to be gobby,
just a nice gob free sheen. Sometimes I get gobby,
they work.
Once tumbled, dump along a sheet of Wax Paper.
I stand each Bullet up on it's nose, they seem to
roll that way easiest. Dry 12-24hrs, whatever you
like.
You can feel the Wax 60/40 LLA coating, but doesn't
come off.
That's how I do it, all I know is I get Lead Free Performance
and don't over think it.
Thank you for reading my Post.
I put my Bullets in a Plastic Butter Tub, usually 50
bullets and approximately 6 drops of 60/40 LLA mix.
I tumble Bullets in the Tub maybe 3 minutes (you
have to check). Coating on Bullet is not to be gobby,
just a nice gob free sheen. Sometimes I get gobby,
they work.
Once tumbled, dump along a sheet of Wax Paper.
I stand each Bullet up on it's nose, they seem to
roll that way easiest. Dry 12-24hrs, whatever you
like.
You can feel the Wax 60/40 LLA coating, but doesn't
come off.
That's how I do it, all I know is I get Lead Free Performance
and don't over think it.
Thank you for reading my Post.
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max503
Member
I've never made 45/45/10, but aren't you suppose to heat up/cook the wax first to drive off the solvent? Seems like I read that somewhere. I've wanted to make some but couldn't find JPW. Now, with the substitute available I'd like to cook up some of that lube.
Not necessary....Just size and lube correctly. I use my cast bullets in 30/06 Garand/444 Marlin/30 carbine/30-30. Plus all my handguns. I don't get leading. I get a lube star at the muzzle.
The recipe from "Recluse" over at castboolits, includes "cooking off" the solvent from the JPW, but after my experimenting, I don't. Perhaps for the heat and making it easier to mix, but I thought "why cook off solvent then add solvent". Without heating the components mixing is more difficult, but for me the just warming or shaking in a container works. But if you don't want to mess with cooking, mixing etc., White Label Lube sells 4-45-10 premixed. The one quart bottle should last a very looooong time! They are a small company offering excellent products at good prices along with excellent service...
45-45-10/Deluxe Liquid Xlox – 16oz Bottle Liquid Alox tumble lube [] - $12.95 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce
About half the size of a frozen pea will do 100 125 gr 9mm.
max503
Member
Why not use those? Because they are expensive. Getting set-up to cast isn't really all that expensive. I can carry my casting equipment in a kitty litter bucket. Those Lee 6 cavity molds allow you to make bullets faster than rabbits make babies.
Besides, making your own gives you flexibility which is reason enough to cast. You can make adjustments to tune the bullet to the gun and outperform factory ammo.
the_buckshot_kid
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I used the LLA several years ago. Can’t say I was impressed. Here’s a better idea if you don’t have a lubesizer and this is what I did before I got one..... use LBT’s soft lube (best stuff available IMO) and afternoon sizing use your finger to get it in the groove and after that run the bullet back through the sizer to clean it up. I did this for several years and it works great.
rockquarry
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I still use a conventional stick half & half lube for some things, and it probably remains the most versatile, but I've used the regular LBT Blue and the soft version for a long time, maybe thirty years or so. Great lubes, but I think I could get by fine with just the soft. Not sure the regular LBT Blue offers any advantage over it.
the_buckshot_kid
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Veral claims it it the best he offers. I like it because it flows through the lubesizer without a heater and grips real well to the lube grooves.
