H&G 50BB top or bottom lube groove?

[Snafu12]

I think I read bottom gives best results?

[Dale53]

I lube only the bottom groove. I will NOT say it is best, but it is VERY good:rolleyes:

I shot this the other day with my 6" Smith Model 686 and my newly acquired four cavity H&G mould for the #50 BB mould (standing at 25 yards).

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/img038_1294x1200.jpg

I am REALLY enjoying this mould and bullet. It is an OLD classic but a GOODY as you can see.

If you really want to know which way is best, put a scope on your gun and shoot off a rest. Conversely, if you have access to a Ransom Rest use it.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/HG50BB-1402_900x1200.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/HG50BB-1399_1600x1200.jpg

I am using Lars White Label Carnauba Red lube, sizing at .358" (the sizing die hardly touches the bullet) and seated over 3.0 grs of Bullseye with a light roll crimp at the crimp groove. Bullet alloy is WW's+2% tin.

Dale53

[Snafu12]

they look great
Mine are 50/50 clip on stick ons

[fecmech]

I use the H&G #50 and lube bottom groove only. Average of four 6 shot groups at 50 yds was 2.5", load was 3.1 Bullseye. Benched K-38 with a dot.

[deltaenterprizes]

Why not lube all of the lube grooves?

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Using H&G #251 which is a double ended wc, in the 38 special, I once tried putting lube (old NRA formula 50/50 2138 alox and beeswax) in 2 and 3 (all) grooves. Best accuracy was with lube in only one groove (bottom). Two and three weren't as good and smoked a lot more. Three also crudded up the guns. I stayed with lube in only one groove after that. LLS

[runfiverun]

i think it's too much lube.
i have tried it all three way's through my dan wesson and the single groove worked best for me too.
doing two was okay, and even pretty close, but over the summer the bottom groove only did better for me.

[Dale53]

Those older design bullets were developed before really good lubes became available. When E.H. Harrison of the NRA developed the NRA 50/50 Beeswax/Alox lube he discovered through Ransom Rest tests that lubing one groove was much more accurate than lubing two or three. Others' tests have verified those results.

I also have an H&G six cavity bullet mould for the #251 bullet and it also responds better to lubing only one groove.

Dale53