.357 bullet casting input wanted

[keithpip]

I've been using the same Lee 2 cavity .38 SWC tumble lube mold for years. I bought it so I could get into bullet casting without having to buy a lubricator/sizer. This was when money was tight and I was on a strict budget. Now that the expense of a lubricator/sizer is a non-issue I'm still reluctant to buy one since I'm now older and lazier. It's just another step in the bullet casting process. My question: I would like to experiment with other manufacturers molds but I still don't want the hassle of lubing and sizing bullets. If I were to get an Ideal mold could I lube the bullets using Lee liquid Alox rather than the hard lubes that would normally be used? Has anyone tried this before? I've picked up many a cast bullet on the range where the hard lube is still intact in the lube band. It makes me wonder if these hard lubes work at all. With bullets that I've cast with the Lee mold and Alox I've never seen any Alox on recovered bullets. Thanks.

keith

 

[colt_saa]

Get yourself a sizer/luber

A properly sized and lubed projectile can be pushed to much higher velocities than a tumble lube design.

If you are truly lazy and money is no longer the issue as you say. Buy properly sized cast bullets from a vendor in your area.

 

[Titegroups]

Ive tumble lubed bullets with std lube groves and have not had leading issues at 1000fps velocities but as stated above lube type is only one factor.

 

[reloader7.62]

I TL or Ranch Dip all my bullets and on rare occasions I will pan lube some bullets for a specific use. Here is a test study done using Lee Alox with various firearms and bullet types. Extensive Test of Lee Liquid Alox

Needless to say I TL both TL design and Non-TL bullets,some are plain base and some will take a gas check,I don't always use the gas check though it mainly depends on alloy,BHN velocity and pressure I'm shooting the load at. I've run tumble lubed bullet form 800 to 2K fps. with and without gas checks with no leading issues and good accuracy. Standard 357 Tl bullet load runs around 1200 fps.

The only issues I have with the methods used in the test above is that I TL before sizing and TL afterwards,I also don't thin my Alox quiet as much I use 1/2 oz. of MS per 4 oz. bottle of Alox or Xlox which is the same lube and what I use now it cost around 50% less. I also warm my bullets and lube bottle on a heating pad prior to lubing it give them a much more even coats,warm bullets just coat much better.

Accurate Molds offers TL design molds using either your design or theres. Accurate Molds: Custom Bullet Molds

 

[keithpip]

Great information! Thanks to all.

Keith

 

[mtgianni]

Yes you can use LLA on a standard bullet. I do believe that better accuracy will be with conventionally lubed bullets in most cases.