Got a question as it relates to lube grooves

[Mike8623]

OK folks just starting out here and trying to figure out lube grooves in lead bullets. Is there a formula or generalization for how many for a specific bullet ie bullet length or diameter?

Same question for lube groove width and depth.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Rcmaveric]

Depends on when the bullet was designed. The idea behind magic lube groove formula has evolved across the centuries. Elmer Keith said the need to be big. Louvern had them all them all the way down a bullet. These days most bulets 1, 2 or 3 depending on the length of the bullet. My 30 cal bullets have 3 but i fill the first two and use the third lube groove as a crimp groove. I have 6.5m rifle bullets with one lube groove.

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[Mike8623]

Thanks for responding Maveric
So I would suppose then that if go by the thought of 60% of the diam of a bullet to be driving bands the rest would be lube grooves?

How deep would you make the grooves?

I'm talking .510 diam. Bullet, 600 grains

[gwpercle]

I went over to the NOE site , they have some .512" dia. designs with :
594 grs. weight w/ 2 lube grooves , a 650 gr. weight has 1 big groove and a 887 gr. weight has 3 lube grooves .
They have dimensioned drawings on the site that might give you the width and depth of the grooves .
Being an old draftsman ... the dimensioned drawings look cool ... I've printed a few out and hang them on the wall .
The 594 grain - .512" dia. design is the closest I can find to your requirements .
That's a Big Boolit ! www.noebulletmoulds.com
Gary

[Mike8623]

Thanks Percle,

Anyone with any ideas to depth on the lube rings or any other ideas to the above

Also is anyone aware of an online bullet design program

[reddog81]

NOE has the "blueprints" for the molds when you click on a mold to buy it. The sample I looked at went from a diameter of .513 to .467 for a depth of .046.

[jim147]

Knowing more about what you are shooting would help.

[Mike8623]

Winchester 1886 50-110

[7br]

We are coming up on Waksupi's annual fall lube groove sale. You might check to see if he will sell you a sample pack.

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[jim147]

Winchester 1886 50-110

That helps. Out of my loading area but you will get better answers now. Are you doing black powder or smokeless?

I'm guessing black so a bigger lube groove would be my choice.

[Mike8623]

No, doing smokeless

[FLINTNFIRE]

I am more curious about the weight of your bullet , seems heavy for the 1886 .

[Mike8623]

Thanks all for responding.

Does anyone know of a bullet design program?

[mdi]

One of the members here sells lube grooves, IIRC; Waksupi. You could purchase various sizes and find a size that works best...

[Mike8623]

Again, I am thankful to all that replied

[Rcmaveric]

Honestly, your out of my league. Lol i shoot the bullets and not design them.

Pretty sure most bullet designs are drafted in an a cad program. Not sure what is exported for the CNC machine to make them (gerber?).

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[Wayne Smith]

Thanks all for responding.

Does anyone know of a bullet design program?

Not since Dan pulled down Mountain Molds website and retired from mold making.

[dverna]

Wouldn't hurt to call NOE and discuss your needs.

[rockrat]

Or Tom at Accurate Moulds

[FLINTNFIRE]

I liked mountain molds online design program , played with it just never got around to making a order to my regret .

I go to Accurate and look through catalog and see what is close to what I want and what others have bought for same caliber / rifle model and go from there .