45acp and LLA?

[kellyj00]

I'm new to casting, just finished my first batch.

All I have for lube right now is LLA, and a can on johnson's paste wax. I would like to use the JPW as it's cheaper, but it seems to have mixed results in the threads here.

Should I expect minimal leading in a 1911 at about 700fps with LLA or with the JPW? Does anyone have experience with these animals? Is a stick lube the only way to guarantee minimal leading?

Thanks!

[Ricochet]

With either one you shouldn't have leading problems if your bullets fit the bore properly.

[xr650]

I have only ran 200 rds of .45 ACP.
I used LLA w/ tumble lube grooves.
.454" bullets w/ a .452" barrel.
Not enough leading to worry about.

[trickyasafox]

i've shot a bunch of cast LLA lubed bullets out of my 1911 closer to 800 fps with no leading. Ricochet nailed it with proper fit of the bullet.

[mroliver77]

I was thinking about thinning some LLA down and just hand dipping boolits in it to the top of lube grooves. Then set on wax paper to dry and we dont get the alox fouled seater dies.
Kelly, with wimpy pistol loads just about any waxy substance will work with a properly fitted and tempered boolit. J

[mtgrs737]

I agree with the rest of the folks posting comments, it's boolit fit that is most important then the lube. You should not have leading problems with either JPW or LLA in the 45 as it is a low pressure cartridge.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I also use the Lee 200 gr ,452 microgrooved boolit with LLA. Works great as a plinker load with 3.5 grains of Titegroup.

Regards,

Dave

[kellyj00]

I'm thinking we're going to load up 50 rds of LLA coated bullets, 50rds of JPW COATED bullets, and 50 rds of bullets with just JPW in the lube grooves.... and run them through my 1911, cleaning the bore with hoppe's between each 50.

I'll let you fellas know the results. Place your bets now.

[cohutt]

mixed thinned lla with a little jpw, covered lightly about 4000 200 tl lee boolits so far, sized to .451 for my Kimber.
6.3g unique 851 fps, zero leading.

[kellyj00]

pretty bullets!
Are those coated with the mix that you mentioned?

[cohutt]

pretty bullets!
Are those coated with the mix that you mentioned?

Not the loose ones- those are as cast, no lubing or sizing yet at time of picture.

The loaded ones are though, although consider this:

Contrary to the Lee instructions i use a flat bottomed tray to lube, so more like "roll lube" vs "tumble lube". I have found the plastic kitchen utensil trays at wally world work well- the ones you put in your drawers to hold forks and stuff.
I roll them in a very very light alox cut with mineral spirits significanlty, size them right then, return them to the tray and roll them in the remnants plus a little alox/JPW mix.
With the flat bottom the boolits roll more on their sides vs catapault over their noses. (works better with a longer tl rounds like 240g 44).
Usually, after they dry and are loaded i put 100 rounds or thereabouts in a towel dampened with mineral spirits and roll them back and forth like in a hommock. This touches up the bullets noses a bit and removes some of the residual lube slick. Less likely to attract dirt dust grime, or so I hope......

[kellyj00]

I may have to work up some sort of deal with my 4hole turret press.
Use a 3-die set, and set up the fourth hole with a buffer to shine up the bullet. Of course, I'm way too lazy for this, but I think it's a cool idea.