Josh Smith
02-27-2012, 04:19 AM
Hello,
I've got several ideas for bullet lubes I'd like to try with tumble lubing.
As this may be used with blackpowder, I'd like to keep it blackpowder friendly. We're talking .45 Colt and .44-40 stuff here, but it will initially be applied to the .45acp.
Been playing with pure beeswax. I figured out how to do a thin film, but the problem is it may be too thin on the tumble-lube bullet.
From a 5" tube it looks like it may be just starting to lead near the end. The bullet a 200 grain traveling at around 900fps, which duplicates the original load JMB had in mind.
Figure if it works for that, it will work for slower 230 grain boolits as well!
I'm also thinking that the beeswax makes a better carrier than actual lube. Looking at historical data, tallow was used in varying amounts. I think olive oil would duplicate tallow nicely and not sweat out.
Figure I'll start 1:4 and go from there.
Now, the application process is what has me a bit stumped. How did they apply lube to bullets back in the day? How do they apply it to modern .22LR bullets today, if they are not dipped as loaded rounds?
Am I right in that beeswax is a better carrier than lubricant? Is there a best way to prevent excessive lube buildup on the bullets?
Thanks,
Josh
I've got several ideas for bullet lubes I'd like to try with tumble lubing.
As this may be used with blackpowder, I'd like to keep it blackpowder friendly. We're talking .45 Colt and .44-40 stuff here, but it will initially be applied to the .45acp.
Been playing with pure beeswax. I figured out how to do a thin film, but the problem is it may be too thin on the tumble-lube bullet.
From a 5" tube it looks like it may be just starting to lead near the end. The bullet a 200 grain traveling at around 900fps, which duplicates the original load JMB had in mind.
Figure if it works for that, it will work for slower 230 grain boolits as well!
I'm also thinking that the beeswax makes a better carrier than actual lube. Looking at historical data, tallow was used in varying amounts. I think olive oil would duplicate tallow nicely and not sweat out.
Figure I'll start 1:4 and go from there.
Now, the application process is what has me a bit stumped. How did they apply lube to bullets back in the day? How do they apply it to modern .22LR bullets today, if they are not dipped as loaded rounds?
Am I right in that beeswax is a better carrier than lubricant? Is there a best way to prevent excessive lube buildup on the bullets?
Thanks,
Josh