Lee PrecisionTitan ReloadingLoad DataRotoMetals2
WidenersReloading EverythingMidSouth Shooters SupplyRepackbox
Inline Fabrication
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 32

Thread: Is there a FPS limit for pure Bees Wax Bullet/Boolit Lube?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master Oyeboten's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    757

    Is there a FPS limit for pure Bees Wax Bullet/Boolit Lube?

    Just wondering...

    Is there a FPS limit for pure Beeswax Lube, with Cast Boolits?

  2. #2
    Boolit Master TurnipEaterDown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    SE MI, USA
    Posts
    585
    It's a multi variate problem, so, no, there is no honest answer you will get as to max fps.
    What does it really involve? At least: Pressure experienced (peak & curve), bore roughness, barrel length, lube groove volume and shape, bullet alloy content, BHN of the bullet (not just dependent on alloy), bullet fit to bore (dia), taper in bullet if any, existence of a GC or not, etc. etc.
    I used to experience leading in pistols long time ago using commercial bullets, so I thought what's all the bother worth?
    Then I started to learn things, bought my first Linebaugh gun (pretty much had to use a cast bullet), and many years later experienced the old bummer years (starting 2008...) where to afford shooting rifles I went to cast bullets in them.
    Now I shoot cast in rifles over 2000 fps and experience no leading, even in a Very pitted old 24-47 Yugo that was my learning vehicle under old bummer. No, I don't guess it's pitted, I bought a borescope and poked it in there. The bore condition would have horrified me years ago...

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    South Jersey
    Posts
    6,314
    No … but some good reading material …
    https://www.wikihow.com/Melt-Beeswax
    Regards
    John

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    Posts
    9,254
    For many complex reasons ... bullet lube can be complicated ... pure beeswax doesn't have everything needed to make a decent lubricant .
    There is a simple additive , better than the the latest formulations of Alox, that can be added to beeswax to make it a decent Lubricant that I've used in magnum handgun loading , 1250 fps or so and loads in 30-30 Winchester at 1600 fps .
    take : 1 part Lithium Grease ( Lucas Red-N-Tacky is my grease of choice) and blend with
    3 parts Beeswax
    This was known as Lithi-Bee , I got the recipe from a commerical Lube maker , Garth Choate , when he informed me they no longer made and sold boolit lubes .
    After 50 years of cast boolits I keep coming back to Lithi-Bee ... it works , I've NEVER had lead deposited in a barrel when using it ... Never !!! The formula can't be any easier ...
    ... 1 part Lithium Grease to 3 parts - Beeswax ... that's all there is to it .
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    over the hill, out in the woods and far away
    Posts
    10,158
    The British .577-450 and .455 cartridges used pure beeswax, but it is not the best lube for keeping BP fouling soft. Works very much better with 1 part tallow, olive or neatsfoot oil to 3 parts of beeswax. For smokeless loads use 1 to 4 or 5 ATF and beeswax.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    Posts
    9,254
    Quote Originally Posted by Outpost75 View Post
    The British .577-450 and .455 cartridges used pure beeswax, but it is not the best lube for keeping BP fouling soft. Works very much better with 1 part tallow, olive or neatsfoot oil to 3 parts of beeswax. For smokeless loads use 1 to 4 or 5 ATF and beeswax.
    Thanks for the Smokeless lube recipe . I'm a big believer in ATF ...
    ... will Dexron GM Spec.D-20265 or later be good to use in the boolit lube ?
    I have a feeling mixing / blending ATF into beeswax will be a lot easier than mixing / blending the Lithium Grease (which doesn't melt) into the beeswax ... I want to try the ATF-Bee Lube ...it sounds interesting .
    Thanks
    This rounds on me !
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    over the hill, out in the woods and far away
    Posts
    10,158
    Quote Originally Posted by gwpercle View Post
    Thanks for the Smokeless lube recipe . I'm a big believer in ATF ...
    ... will Dexron GM Spec.D-20265 or later be good to use in the boolit lube ?
    I have a feeling mixing / blending ATF into beeswax will be a lot easier than mixing / blending the Lithium Grease (which doesn't melt) into the beeswax ... I want to try the ATF-Bee Lube ...it sounds interesting .
    Thanks
    This rounds on me !
    Gary
    Any of the ATFs work fine in blending the bullet lube. You might need to experiment with the proportions to get the consistency you want. As little as 1:5 ATF-beeswax works fine, the 1:3 has a soft consistency like the old M&N lube.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master Oyeboten's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    757
    Quote Originally Posted by Outpost75 View Post
    The British .577-450 and .455 cartridges used pure beeswax, but it is not the best lube for keeping BP fouling soft. Works very much better with 1 part tallow, olive or neatsfoot oil to 3 parts of beeswax. For smokeless loads use 1 to 4 or 5 ATF and beeswax.
    Thanks Outpost75!

    I have Tallow and Olive Oil, and I have ATF.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    poppy42's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    1,542
    Do a search for Ben’s read here on the forum! Best stuff I’ve ever used! Quite easy to make just follow the directions!
    Long, Wide, Deep, and Without Hesitation!

  10. #10
    Boolit Master trapper9260's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Iowa
    Posts
    3,402
    I make the old NRA lube with bees wax and ATF and other things added to it and I use it in all the smokeless cartridges I load from handgun to rifle and no problems with leading, I have many years ago bought some factory ammo with lead bullets for my RH 44mag and when I shot them , my barrel leaded up so bad that it made me sick then , when I got back into casting and all, I do not have that problem anymore and make my own lube. Also with the help and reading I got from you all on here.
    Life Member of NRA,NTA,DAV ,ITA. Also member of FTA,CBA

  11. #11
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Feb 2022
    Posts
    46

    Beeswax and Alox

    Quote Originally Posted by Oyeboten View Post
    Just wondering...

    Is there a FPS limit for pure Beeswax Lube, with Cast Boolits?
    I'm loading 170 gr cast with gas checks over 48 grains of WC 846 surplus. I mix a dab of alox in the wax. Kind of a hot load for cast, but it performs well

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    North Central
    Posts
    2,514
    I've been using the simple lube recipie from the sticky in the the lube section . Beeswax, vasaline, atf and 2 stroke oil. Been working extremely well and works great unheated through my lube sizer. Shot some 275 grain boolits yesteday out of my SBH over 18.5 grains of H 110 for about 1200 fps. Alloy was 20/1, good accuracy and no leading. I have a pyrex beaker of it that I heat in boiling water on the stove and i pour it into the lube sizer.

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    321
    ED; Gary: While transfering dad's trouble box from one car to another, I looked at the contents. Pliers, screwdriver, road map, first aid kit, brake fluid, and a quart of GM type A ATF that was vintage 1960. Had to look that one up. Guess what the predecessor to Dexron was. Sperm oil. Saved it all , carefully.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    581
    Quote Originally Posted by gunther View Post
    ED; Gary: While transfering dad's trouble box from one car to another, I looked at the contents. Pliers, screwdriver, road map, first aid kit, brake fluid, and a quart of GM type A ATF that was vintage 1960. Had to look that one up. Guess what the predecessor to Dexron was. Sperm oil. Saved it all , carefully.
    I worked at a Chevy dealership in the 60's and when you bought a new cam and lifters you had to buy a can of EOS for warranty. It was made from whale sperm.
    Last edited by 45DUDE; 02-21-2022 at 02:29 PM.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    1,222
    It was made of OIL from a SPERM WHALE. I doubt that ANY product of a cetacean's PROSTATE has advanced the automotive industry in any way.
    For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Ecclesiastes 1:18
    He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool become servant to the wise of heart. Proverbs 11:29
    ...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40


    Carpe SCOTCH!

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master

    gwpercle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    Posts
    9,254
    Quote Originally Posted by 45DUDE View Post
    I worked at a Chevy dealership in the 60's and when you bought a new cam and lifters you had to buy a can of EOS for warranty. It was made from whale sperm.
    Whale Sperm ?
    Do you think that might have been Sperm Whale Oil ...
    although I would love to know why they are called Sperm Whales ... got to be a good story there !
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Posts
    1,013
    Sperm oil… whale sperm… I just laughed until I cried.

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Cordele, GA
    Posts
    470
    What is "ATF"?

  19. #19
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Posts
    192
    Quote Originally Posted by Thundermaker View Post
    What is "ATF"?
    Automatic transmission fluid

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master

    Beagle333's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Back in the woods a piece, just outside Auburn, AL.
    Posts
    5,499
    I use beeswax and olive oil at 65/35 for black powder, but it's only going maybe 650-700 fps. For any other things, read how to make Ben's Liquid Lube. It will handle almost anything you want to shoot it in.
    KE4GWE - - - - - - Colt 1860, it just feels right.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
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
GC Gas Check