Lube groove? is it necessary...

[NSP64]

Is a lube groove necessary on low velocity boolits like .45 & .38? If you use LLA it doesn't fill the groove anyhow.

[Bob Krack]

Is a lube groove necessary on low velocity boolits like .45 & .38? If you use LLA it doesn't fill the groove anyhow.
I really doubt it, but I am not the brightest bulb in the house.

Bob

[jdgabbard]

You "could" do like some of the paper patchers and swagers do. Use a rasp like file on the outside of a over sized boolit, then coat with LLA. That is pretty much what you get when you get swaged bullets from Hornady. I don't see where you would HAVE to have them, but you would want at least something like the above to hold a bit more alox, just to be safe.

[geargnasher]

I've always wondered that too, and my FIL just had a bunch of no-groove .429"s given to him that were supposedly "Cowboy" boolits and we don't know if they could be used in a .44 mag or not, and if so what kind of lube would we use?

Anyone else? Waksupi, do you have any extra grooves for a .44 mag??[smilie=1:

Gear

[jdgabbard]

Use a rasp on a flat surface. Just lay the boolits down, and roll them back and forth over a rasp or file. Apply some LLA and see how they shoot. You'll never know unless you try them.

[waksupi]

Anyone else? Waksupi, do you have any extra grooves for a .44 mag??[smilie=1:

Gear

I have a lot, but I am hoarding them! :Fire:

[sundog]

Ric, you're a *****. Hoarding ain't right...

[243winxb]

Some kind of void is needed in the bearing surface of the bullet to hold the lube. Unless there is a large area of the bullet outside the case when seated. Sort of like a 22LR , 100% of the lubed bearing surface is outside the brass case. http://www.lasc.us/FryxellLubeCastBullets.htm

[geargnasher]

:-D

Gear

[NSP64]

I was asking because I found 2 .45 cal magma molds (160 & 200 gr SWC) on GB for $25.00 shipped,so I bought them and will post results.:drinks:

[mroliver77]

I have a box of "Alberts" swaged boolits that are smooth and lubed with a hard wax with black stuff. Willbird thinks it is moly mebbe. They shoot ok and dont lead. There are various guys that have shot pure lead with no lube whatsoever. I would try fitting them properly cast from pure lead and mebbe use JPW. You could try Lee liquid earwax but keep that stuff away from me!;)
Jay