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Due to the slight irregularities of the bullets or pans or the small catenary assumed by pans of bullets and lube in an improvised double boiler, I am getting a little lube on my bullet bases.
Has anyone tried floating their lube on a shallow layer of water to keep bullet bases free of lube?
No. I haven't. But it is a novel idea!Quote:
Originally Posted by Landy88
I am not sure until tried that it is worth the extra work.
My bullets have very flat bases and the pans are flat. There is next to no lube on them. But a film remains for sure. I wipe the bullets bases in a fold of blue shop towel and am good to go.
I would be interested in what follows. It is an interesting idea.
It should work but the pans will have to be very level for the thin layer of water to remain consistant across the pans bottom. It should work very well though. I pan lube all my BPCR bullets and simply wipe the bases as I'm putting them in the cases. Give it a try. I use brownie pans and a couple pieces of small angle iron to space the inner pan off the bottom of the outer. A couple set screws could be put in one end of 3/8" or 1/2" key stock to adjust to dead level between the pans so the water was level across the bottom surface.
Here's something I've been trying recently instead of just wiping the bases as they didn't seem to clean easily. I place a blue shop paper towel on an old, flat, electric skillet and set the skillet for medium heat. I know it's just right when I feel the heat through the paper towel. No need for high heat. Placing the bullet base on the towel against the skillet for a few seconds causes the lube to melt and get absorbed into the towel. I just wipe the bullet towards me and the base is usually pretty clean on the first pass. The wax on the base melts while the wax in the lube groove is unaffected. I use an ingot to keep the towel from moving while I do this. Change the paper towel as needed. Still tinkering with this but like the results. Seems faster to me than wiping or using solvents.
Probably better determine the melt temperature of your loob. If it's at or above 212* your going to have problems!:oops:
I tried this last night.
As I lifted the cut free bullets, a small drop of water dripped from each leaving a perfectly lube free base.
While hot it looked like it might not work as the lube and water separated into bubbles, rather than layers; but when it cooled they made layers.
The lube does 'creep' up the edge of the pan. So for level strata of lube and water inset bullets a bit.
I've been pan lubing with Carnauba Blue. It's quick and easy, doesn't require a trip through the oven, just let it cool at room temp and doesn't get any lube on the bases.
Attachment 199436
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6VknyUHcFI
Silicone baking pans let the bullets sit flat (the pan material is soft) no lube on the bases :)
Dave