bedbugbilly
09-23-2013, 06:28 PM
I’m getting ready to start on my first re-loads. I have about 400 rounds each cast up of the lead SWC 158 gr – flat base (on left) and the lead round nose flat base 150 gr (on right) bullets. (Lee molds) I have a couple of questions.
I know the 158 gr. are for tumble lube. I have some of the Lee ALOX that I am going to try on some of these – I have also been reading on here about using paste wax so I will give that a try as well. This one seems pretty straight forward.
The 150 gr. round nose bullets are not “tumble lube” though. I’m wondering if these can be tumble lubed the same as the 158 gr. – will enough of the lube get in to the lube grooves (2 of them plus the crimp grove)? Will enough get in there to do the job or should these grooves be completely full?
I don’t have a sizing die – these will be shot “as cast”. If I continue to use the 150 gr round nose, would it be better to pan lube them with a “stiffer lube” and then run them through a .358 sizer or will they be fine if the grooves aren’t completely full?
Once these are lubed and spread out on wax paper to dry/harden . can they be left on their sides or should they all be set upright on their flat bases? What about the lube on the bottom of the flat base – does this need to be wiped off prior to seating? i.e. will the small amount of lube on the flat base affect the powder charge – especially if they aren’t fired right away and possibly sit for a few months.? (I’m loading 38 spl.) Since my reloaded cartridges will be stored nose down in plastic storage boxes, it seems like there is a greater opportunity for the powder charge to rest on any lube on the bottom of the bullet and be absorbed in to the charge?
I know there are all types of lubes and recipes. I have shot BP revolvers for years as well as rifled musket and round ball. I make the lube for them by melting a pound of Crisco with the wax from a toilet ring. I heat it in the microwave – mix together and then pour in to tins to cool. The consistency of it would be about like paste wax – stiff enough to wipe a rifle patch across to lube yet soft enough to dip out with a small popsickle stick to spread over each chamber opening. It works well with BP – seems to keep fouling down well – BUT – would it work as well with smokeless? I’m sure it would stick well with the 158 gr tumble lube but will it work if the 150 gr round nose are tumble lubed?
Since handloading is new to me, I’m just not sure how much lube is enough or too much? Does one cast lead bullet design need more lube than another?
Thanks for any help / advice to get me started out right on this new adventure – greatly appreciated!
I know the 158 gr. are for tumble lube. I have some of the Lee ALOX that I am going to try on some of these – I have also been reading on here about using paste wax so I will give that a try as well. This one seems pretty straight forward.
The 150 gr. round nose bullets are not “tumble lube” though. I’m wondering if these can be tumble lubed the same as the 158 gr. – will enough of the lube get in to the lube grooves (2 of them plus the crimp grove)? Will enough get in there to do the job or should these grooves be completely full?
I don’t have a sizing die – these will be shot “as cast”. If I continue to use the 150 gr round nose, would it be better to pan lube them with a “stiffer lube” and then run them through a .358 sizer or will they be fine if the grooves aren’t completely full?
Once these are lubed and spread out on wax paper to dry/harden . can they be left on their sides or should they all be set upright on their flat bases? What about the lube on the bottom of the flat base – does this need to be wiped off prior to seating? i.e. will the small amount of lube on the flat base affect the powder charge – especially if they aren’t fired right away and possibly sit for a few months.? (I’m loading 38 spl.) Since my reloaded cartridges will be stored nose down in plastic storage boxes, it seems like there is a greater opportunity for the powder charge to rest on any lube on the bottom of the bullet and be absorbed in to the charge?
I know there are all types of lubes and recipes. I have shot BP revolvers for years as well as rifled musket and round ball. I make the lube for them by melting a pound of Crisco with the wax from a toilet ring. I heat it in the microwave – mix together and then pour in to tins to cool. The consistency of it would be about like paste wax – stiff enough to wipe a rifle patch across to lube yet soft enough to dip out with a small popsickle stick to spread over each chamber opening. It works well with BP – seems to keep fouling down well – BUT – would it work as well with smokeless? I’m sure it would stick well with the 158 gr tumble lube but will it work if the 150 gr round nose are tumble lubed?
Since handloading is new to me, I’m just not sure how much lube is enough or too much? Does one cast lead bullet design need more lube than another?
Thanks for any help / advice to get me started out right on this new adventure – greatly appreciated!