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Thread: Civil War U.S. Arsenal Bullet Lube

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    Civil War U.S. Arsenal Bullet Lube

    Hey All,
    I am a newbie to casting bullets. I have an 1861 Parker Hale Musketoon. I plan on testing several different styles of bullets. I am looking for the bullet lube formula that was used by the U.S. Arsenals during the Civil War. Does anyone know where I can find the formula? Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master powderburnerr's Avatar
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    wasnt it just japan wax... they were experimenting with many things in them days from tallow to some real interesting things.....Dean
    lover of 74 sharps
    MYWEIGH scale merchant
    " i'll tell the story 10 different ways before I'll lie to you."

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master



    cbrick's Avatar
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    Tallow with beeswax was used as bullet lubricant for American Civil War ammunition used in the Springfield Rifle Musket.

    Rick
    "The people never give up their freedom . . . Except under some delusion." Edmund Burke

    "Let us remember that if we suffer tamely a lawless attack on our liberty, we encourage it." Samuel Adams

    NRA Benefactor Life Member
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  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    The primary bullet lube during the civil war was a 50-50 mix of talow and bees wax. The proportions sometimes changed but not by much. I have a parker hale musketoon and gave one to my son as well. They are fine shooters with both patched round ball and minni ball. Mine has been used for many years for both hunting as well as shooting in various BP Rendezvous around here. I wish there were more people interested in Civil War shooting in the northwest as there are in the south east.

  5. #5
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    dromia's Avatar
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    You may find this link useful, research Press is a wonderful resource. David Minshall has done a wondeful job of sharing.

    Apolgies if you already know of it.

    http://www.researchpress.co.uk/firea...management.htm


    For fine firearms and shooting requisites visit my Web Site by clicking the link below:

    Pukka Bundhooks

  6. #6
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    dromia's Avatar
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    From the said article by W S Curtis.

    "The traditional mixture is a combination of plumber’s tallow and beeswax, usually in the proportions of about 80% tallow to 20% beeswax, although for hot weather the beeswax proportion can be increased."


    For fine firearms and shooting requisites visit my Web Site by clicking the link below:

    Pukka Bundhooks

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
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