seeking soft bullet lube

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robbt

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the company I purchased supplies for years Gil Hebard , and now that he's passed I need a source for soft bullet lube please post a source for me
many thanks, rj
 
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For over 20 years I've been using a mix of 60% commode seal mixed 40% canning wax or crayons/my wife 's scented candles. I quit with bought lube when the sticks went to $5 a piece.....I melt and mix in a can and pour it into my luber/sizer to harden....I use it with all my cast bullets in handguns and rifles. And it works as good or better that anything you can buy..........When using the scented candle mix......ALL your shots smell good.
 
Mike said:
For over 20 years I've been using a mix of 60% commode seal mixed 40% canning wax or crayons/my wife 's scented candles. I quit with bought lube when the sticks went to $5 a piece.....I melt and mix in a can and pour it into my luber/sizer to harden....I use it with all my cast bullets in handguns and rifles. And it works as good or better that anything you can buy..........When using the scented candle mix......ALL your shots smell good.
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I haven't cast bullets in years, but did buy a couple thousand unlubed bullets cheap from an estate. I used commode seal wax mixed with candle wax to pan lube them. It worked just fine.
 
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I use SPG Lube in the Lyman 450 sizer for Black and Smokeless. The sizer sticks are soft enough to smear by thumb.

For pan lube and 1/8" Lube Cookies for Black, I use 1 Part Crisco and 2 parts Gulf Wax Paraffine. (not soft at all!)

Bore Butter used to come in soft tube and firm Sizer sticks.

Ivan
 
Mike said:
For over 20 years I've been using a mix of 60% commode seal mixed 40% canning wax or crayons/my wife 's scented candles. I quit with bought lube when the sticks went to $5 a piece.....I melt and mix in a can and pour it into my luber/sizer to harden....I use it with all my cast bullets in handguns and rifles. And it works as good or better that anything you can buy..........When using the scented candle mix......ALL your shots smell good.
Click to expand...

I used to use banana nut bread scented candles and made jokes about how it was probably in violation of the Hague.
Zing a few over their positions to make em miss Mom's home cooked goodness and draw em out
 
I found White Label Lube at their web site... which is called
LS Stuff ... they have a nice web site and a store you can order .
Lots of info on all the lubes and other ... stuff they sell .
Check them out at Home | LS Stuff
I hope I got the link right ... let's see !
Gary
 
I have used several products. The best I have used is Lee Liquid Alox followed by Rooster Lube. Most of the rounds I lube are the heel type bullets so they get either pan lubed or the lube is painted on the bullets using an artist brush after reloading.
 
Model19man said:
I have used several products. The best I have used is Lee Liquid Alox followed by Rooster Lube. Most of the rounds I lube are the heel type bullets so they get either pan lubed or the lube is painted on the bullets using an artist brush after reloading.
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with processing heel type bullets. Perhaps your method is the best for such bullets.

For all other cast bullets...I tried the Lee Liquid Alox a long time ago. Once was enough for me; too messy. Why not just get a lube/sizer and lube and size the conventional way? Well worth it, especially if you're doing more than a few bullets.
 
I had bad leading problems with lead bullets. That's why I started casting my own. Initially with a lube sizer and found it to be a hassle. (at my age hassle elimination is job 1)

THEN, I found Lee liquid alox. Wholly mackeral....haven't had a leaded barrel since.

It's soooo easy. I don't get the messy comment. I use my bare hands and then just wash them afterwards.
 
GypsmJim said:
I had bad leading problems with lead bullets. That's why I started casting my own. Initially with a lube sizer and found it to be a hassle. (at my age hassle elimination is job 1)

THEN, I found Lee liquid alox. Wholly mackeral....haven't had a leaded barrel since.

It's soooo easy. I don't get the messy comment. I use my bare hands and then just wash them afterwards.
Click to expand...

I'm not being critical of your method. My comments are based only on my experience. I found it messy in comparison with using a lube/sizer, hence the comment. I couldn't imagine doing a thousand bullets without a lube sizer, but we all have different perspectives.
 
rockquarry said:
I'm not being critical of your method. My comments are based only on my experience. I found it messy in comparison with using a lube/sizer, hence the comment. I couldn't imagine doing a thousand bullets without a lube sizer, but we all have different perspectives.
Click to expand...

I use a small plastic bowl. I can do a couple hundred at a time and each batch takes no more than a minute. Drop the batch on a piece of wax paper and spread them around with a finger.

Of course, I use Lee Tumble Lube bullets.

Having to put them thru a sizer one at a time is what I always objected to.

Bullets that are clean except for the lube grooves still require cleaning the bullet seating die, so no time difference there.
 
Tex1001 said:
I'm curious:
Website shows 50% beeswax, but nothing on website to
indicate what the second 50% consists of.

This could make a big difference to me.
Click to expand...

I've used their half & half lube with many rifle and handgun cartridges after several decades of using the Alox-type half & half. It works at least as well as the original lube. Whatever the "second 50%" is makes no difference in accuracy or lack of leading, based solely on my experience. I shoot a lot.

Best to call them and ask what's in their lube.
 
Years ago I worked in a laboratory and one of my duties was to test products for moisture vapor transmission. At the end of the test I had to reclaim the glass tools and throw away the materials. ASTM required fresh bees wax so I threw the used pieces away.

Well, not exactly. I took the shavings home and melted them down. Right now I have about 2 pounds of bees wax in a quart jar.

Being as cheap as I am, I wonder what I could do with it. I love Lee liquid alox, but if I could mix the wax with something and use it for the same purpose I could save money.

Is there a formula out there?
 
GypsmJim said:
Years ago I worked in a laboratory and one of my duties was to test products for moisture vapor transmission. At the end of the test I had to reclaim the glass tools and throw away the materials. ASTM required fresh bees wax so I threw the used pieces away.

Well, not exactly. I took the shavings home and melted them down. Right now I have about 2 pounds of bees wax in a quart jar.

Being as cheap as I am, I wonder what I could do with it. I love Lee liquid alox, but if I could mix the wax with something and use it for the same purpose I could save money.

Is there a formula out there?
Click to expand...

yes ...
I used to just add axle grease until I got the solid consistency I wanted ...
 
rockquarry said:
I've used their half & half lube with many rifle and handgun cartridges after several decades of using the Alox-type half & half. It works at least as well as the original lube. Whatever the "second 50%" is makes no difference in accuracy or lack of leading, based solely on my experience. I shoot a lot.

Best to call them and ask what's in their lube.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking the specifics are in Hatchers notebook.
In fact, I'll hang a link on the wall and encourage everyone to do an Abby Hoffman and Steal This Book
Its a good read, packed with gun knowledge that should not be lost to antiquity.

Page 408 in the link will be the info you seek
 
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LBT Blue Soft was my go to lube back in my casting days .
Not sure if LBT is still around .
 
venomballistics said:
I'm thinking the specifics are in Hatchers notebook.
In fact, I'll hang a link on the wall and encourage everyone to do an Abby Hoffman and Steal This Book
Its a good read, packed with gun knowledge that should not be lost to antiquity.

Page 408 in the link will be the info you seek
Click to expand...

I know many don't like to buy books these days, but Hatcher's Notebook is a good one to have in every gun library. Lots of interesting information.
 
Use the blend of commode seals (new rings only) and paraffin/candle wax that you like but ADD about 10% of Dexron III automatic transmission fluid (ATF). DO NOT use that new fancy synthetic ATF.

How much is 10%? It can be by weight or volume, makes no real difference in the performance of the lube. I melt bullet lube in MY 1-quart aluminum saucepan and add about 3 ounces (liquid) of ATF

It works great on hard bullets, soft bullets, or mystery alloy bullets. 1500 rounds of cast 45-70 down a 32" barrel is my proof of no barrel leading.
 
Here is a much easier Soft Lube Recipe .
It is for Lithi-Bee Lube ( Lithium - beeswax)
When the old formula for Alox was changed ... the lube maker didn't believe the New formula was as good for alox-beeswax lube he used to make ... came up with this formula and it is very good ... No leading in any of my handguns or rifles with cast bullets .

1 Part ( 1 pound ) Lithium Grease (Lucas Red-N-Tacky)
3 Parts ( 3 pounds) Beeswax

The grease will not melt ... so must be blended into the melted beeswax with a large metal whisk ... melt , bl;end , let cool ... three times to incorporate fully . If Too soft add a little Parraffin Wax (4 ounces) to stiffen the soft lube .

Once I started using this ... I have never had any leading and all I shoot are cast bullets in handgun or rifle .

I'm going to check at White Label Lubes and see if they make any
Lithi-Bee ...
Note ...When making Lube , keep a Fire Extinguisher handy !!!
I made a batch in an old Crock Pot ... had no flash fire but watched the temperature ... I would rather buy some ... I tend to have "accidents" !
Gary
 
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rockquarry said:
I know many don't like to buy books these days, but Hatcher's Notebook is a good one to have in every gun library. Lots of interesting information.
Click to expand...

I'd have to check my copy, but the internet archive version states it's last printing was 1957.
That might be a hard find in hard copy. The information in it deserves some preservation efforts for sure.
If anyone ever used "ed's red" gun cleaner, this is where it basically came from
 
venomballistics said:
I'd have to check my copy, but the internet archive version states it's last printing was 1957.
That might be a hard find in hard copy. The information in it deserves some preservation efforts for sure.
If anyone ever used "ed's red" gun cleaner, this is where it basically came from
Click to expand...

Last printing of the third edition was in 1966. I would guess these aren't hard to find.
 
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