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Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:22 pm
by Don2
AndyC wrote:I sent you a PM with the details this morning, Don - did you get it?
YES, Thanks I did.
But the web site said I had no new messages when I logged on..I had to go dig for it for some strange reason.
But thats just the fun of computers....Makes me want to put another 30 cal bullet through another hard drive.
I have several old drives I use for target practice..Its fun..!!!! ( Platters and aluminum everywhere ) !!!!! :fire

Thanks
Don2

Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 7:30 am
by ghostrider
followup question: does anyone here dilute their Lee Alox? A couple of articles I've seen mention diluting 50/50 with mineral spirits (paint thinner). I was concerned about the paint thinner eating the plastic bottle and the fumes, but Hm Depot has this:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... reId=10051" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 4:13 pm
by Don2
ghostrider wrote:followup question: does anyone here dilute their Lee Alox? A couple of articles I've seen mention diluting 50/50 with mineral spirits (paint thinner). I was concerned about the paint thinner eating the plastic bottle and the fumes, but Hm Depot has this:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... reId=10051" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Well, this may not help you, but I did mix some up, but have not used it yet!!!
One recipe I read was to mix Lee Alox with Odorless Mineral Spirits which is what I have here and used.
But did not lube any bullets yet.
I'm NOT an expert and not sure Odorless Mineral Spirits is the same as Paint Thinner??? ( Don't think so ? )

Another recipe is to mix 50-50 Lee Alox and Johnsons Paste Wax and a little odorless mineral spirits.
Have not used this yet either, but its on my list to do.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=67654" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Read at the web site above, plus go back to main menu and read the other ones here too...they have all sorts of recipe's..!!!

Hope ya get what you need. Sorry, just have no actually tried it yet.
I'm not gonna lie to you.

Don2

Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 4:17 pm
by Don2
ghostrider wrote:followup question: does anyone here dilute their Lee Alox? A couple of articles I've seen mention diluting 50/50 with mineral spirits (paint thinner). I was concerned about the paint thinner eating the plastic bottle and the fumes, but Hm Depot has this:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... reId=10051" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is another interesting page on bullet lubes. It also talkes about Alox.

http://www.lasc.us/LubeIngredients.htm#recipes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don2

Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 10:10 pm
by ghostrider
I'm trying a 50/50 mix of alox and paint thinner - it certainly dries faster and leaves the bullets less sticky.

Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 9:58 pm
by Gyrogearhead
[quote="Don2]
Another recipe is to mix 50-50 Lee Alox and Johnsons Paste Wax and a little odorless mineral spirits.
Have not used this yet either, but its on my list to do.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=67654" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Read at the web site above, plus go back to main menu and read the other ones here too...they have all sorts of recipe's..!!!

Hope ya get what you need. Sorry, just have no actually tried it yet.
I'm not gonna lie to you.

Don2[/quote]


Don,
I've been using that recipe from CastBoolits for a few years now and it works very well for my 200gn 45 ACP SWC loads. One thing I probably should mention though is that the recipe tells you to boil down the mix of mineral spirits and JPW and then add the Alox. If you leave out the boiling down part your lube will be way too thin.

Just my 2c,

Gerry

Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:50 pm
by urnoodle
I haven't actually made this bullet lube myself as I just started getting into reloading and casting not that long ago but my reloader friend that has been teaching me lubes my bullets for me. I'm still not too comfortable with things so I'd rather him make it. This is what he uses;
tube of white lithium grease
1lb of beeswax
1/4lb of paraffin wax
2 bright pink crayons (my color choice :mrgreen: )

I really like the bullet lube and at least it's a little girly even though no one ever sees it.

Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:42 pm
by Richardc
Im doing things the same as above, my problem is casting. I have a hard time keeping the mold hot enough to keep the lead from swirling.

Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:57 pm
by urnoodle
I had a similar problem with I first started casting using a Lee 6 cavity mold. I stopped using the 6 cavity and started using a Lee 2 cavity mold. I've had no problems since. I have a Lee 10lb melter and I leave the dial set just past 6. I've casted over a 1000 in a casting session. It just takes longer with a 2 cavity. I have a 2 cavity, 45 acp, 9mm mold and a 1 cavity 1 ounce slug mold. All the bullets are wrinkle free. Once you get the settings down its easy sailing.

Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 4:48 pm
by Richardc
Thats good to know, thanks for the info.

Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:59 pm
by Richardc
AndyC wrote:
Richardc wrote:Im doing things the same as above, my problem is casting. I have a hard time keeping the mold hot enough to keep the lead from swirling.
Small electric hot-plate - rest the mould blocks on that :thumbs2:
Brilliant, I would not have thought of that.

Re: lubing cast bullets

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 12:52 pm
by Jumping Frog
Just make sure you have a piece of sheet metal or flat pan on top of the burner to rest the mold on. If you place your mold directly on the burner and it has any lead on it that melts off onto the burner, it will ruin it.