Is lube needed on subsonic loads, if so could plain paraffin wax be used like what is on 22lr ammo?
Is lube needed on subsonic loads, if so could plain paraffin wax be used like what is on 22lr ammo?
Johnson' Paste Wax works great not only for subsonic but for most handgun velocity loads. I would be concerned that regular paraffin canning wax might be too brittle.
The 160 melting point paraffin that CCI uses on their standard velocity .22 LRwould work fine, but it is somewhat difficult to apply evenly in small batch application. What I have found satisfactory for .38 Special wadcutter and other low velocity revolver rounds like the .32 S&W Long, .455 Webley Mk2 and .38 S&W is to dilute Lee Liquid Alox with equal parts by liquid volume of clear mineral spirits and to just give the bullets a light wash to turn them a uniform brassy color without making any attempt to fill the lube grooves. One fluid ounce of the diluted lube will lube about 1000 or so .38 or .45 ACP wadcutters.
I use a .30 cal. ammo can as a bulk measure for the cast bullets, then dump these into a larger .50 cal. can to provide room for agitation, pour in the diluted liquid lube, then snap down the lid and turn the ammo can end-for-end ten times, then roll over sideways a full 360 degree rotation ten times, then open the lid and set a 10-inch box fan over the open top of the ammo can while I do someting else in the shop for 4-6 hours. This evaporates the excess solvent. After a time I snap the lid down again, repeat the agitation sequence and pour the contents of the ammo can out onto a pizza tray or cookie sheet to finish air drying.
After having done routine this 4-5 times the inside of the ammo can is well coated and if you are a truly cheap SOB you can do a run using an ounce of clear solvent only, using the agitation to dissolve and redistribute the residual dried lube residue in the can.
Last edited by Outpost75; 02-01-2020 at 12:39 AM.
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what caliber?
In most cases I would use a tumble lube.
I shoot unlubed pellets in my air rifle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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The majority of my 380 ACP and 38 Special handloads are "subsonic". And yes, they need lube. I use 45-45-10 and home made Speed Green and I wouldn't try plain paraffin...
My Anchor is holding fast!
Thanks, Outpost75 that seems like the process for me.
I would suggest 45-45-10. It dries quick and is ready to load the next day, and works really well.
this was the last 5 of 100 shots in a 30-06 using the RanchDog 165 plain base, tumbled with 45-45-10.
I just use a coolwhip tub, dump a couple hundred boolits in, drizzle a small amount over the top, put the lid on and swirl them all around until they are all wet with a light tinge of brown, then dump onto a sheet of wax paper to dry over night.
https://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?...36luevvr9uk417
For sub sonic just use one coat of Bens Liquid Lube. Works every time.
I use Xlox for my 7.72X39 sub loading and after shooting the bore is clean as a whistle.
If you are going to make a hole in something. MAKE IT A BIG ONE!
Buildup in the suppressor?
Larry Gibson
“Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing.”
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What lubes dry completely and are not sticky when ready to use?
My experience with 45-45-10 is that it takes about 4 hours to be dry to the touch and ready to load the next day. this is on a warm summer day. It may take longer to dry on a cold day.
You can always tumble them in powdered mica after the 45-45-10 is dry if you feel they are sticky, also prevents lube transfer to your seating die.
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unknown
Give Maxima Chain Wax in the spray can a try.
I've used it in some Rook rifles with no issues.
If you don't like it for boolits, your bike chains certainly will!
I use mine as cast and dip lube or pick them out of tin of melted 50/50 bees wax and vasalene.
I keep them in a 100 pistol cartridge case.
I cast them soft and want not to ding them up.
ALOX works fine diluted but I detest the smell of it.
I don’t shoot a trillion and do mag dumps thou.
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 |