Conventional LubriSizer and TI Bullets

[Green Frog]

I recently became heir to two very nice multi-cavity Lee Tumble Lube moulds for my 32 cal library, a DEWC and a SWC. My question is, if I’m doing minimal sizing, will it work satisfactorily to use my Lyman 450 Lubrisizer and conventional lube with them? Cumulatively those tiny grooves should hold sufficient lube for mild 32 loads, but will they collapse when I run them through a mechanical press?
I’d appreciate hearing about any actual experiences you have had on 32 cal or other Tumble Lube designed bullets. As always, thanks in advance!
Froggie

[earlmck]

I use several of the TL style boolits that I run quite happily through my Star sizer with either LBT or White Label blue lube.

[Tatume]

I use several of the TL style boolits that I run quite happily through my Star sizer with either LBT or White Label blue lube.

Seconded. They work fine for me, and come out looking nice too.

[Green Frog]

Thanks guys. I have about a thousand or so of the swaged SWCs that Hornady used to make. I’m hoping when they run out, I can use the Lee TLs as a close substitute for 32S&WL plinkers. Likewise, while not HB, the WCs may replace the discontinued Hornady HBWC bullets for serious use in my recreated Model 16-3. That batch is down to less than 500.

Now, I’ve got a bunch of the late, lamented LBT Carnauba Red, and both a Lyman 450 a Star Lube Pump that should fit the heating pad base I’ve been saving for a rainy day. I think those little red rings would look kinda good and perform similarly to the wax on the swaged bullets. I truly appreciate the validation of my theory, guys. Thanks again to both of you.

Froggie

[Tatume]

The only issue may be that not all the grooves fill with lube, and it's not really a problem. There will be plenty of lube. It depends on the holes in your die and the depth to which you push the bullet.

[gwpercle]

Do Not Size the TL boolits down any ... if possible ... or ... size down the boolit as little as possible to keep the Tumble Lube Grooves as deep as possible... they will hold the most lube and should be plenty for the velocities you are shooting ...
with a good boolit lube .
Minimal Sizing and Good Lube !
Gary

[Green Frog]

That was my concern, Gary. If sized too heavily, those tiny grooves will disappear. I like to get moulds that drop bullets close enough to correct size and roun enough that the sizin die arel touches them, just truing the up and applying lube. Of course this is also a function of how good the mould is.
Froggie

[Bazoo]

I run my Ranch Dog 432-265 through my lubesizer without a problem. I only size it .001, but it has deeper grooves so it's not an issue.

[gwpercle]

That was my concern, Gary. If sized too heavily, those tiny grooves will disappear. I like to get moulds that drop bullets close enough to correct size and roun enough that the sizin die arel touches them, just truing the up and applying lube. Of course this is also a function of how good the mould is.
Froggie

I haven't done this with the 32 ... But with the 38 Special - Lee TL358-148-WC the 2 cavity mould drops them out right at .358" dia. ...and I run them through a Lyman 450 sizer die marked .358" ... it rounds them out and fills all the little lube grooves nicely ... no leading with old Lithi-Bee lube !
I don't see why it won't work just as well with the 32 boolits ...
Cast and measure the boolits and get a sizing die to match that as cast diameter ...
Should work like a charm !
Keep us posted ,
Gary

[AIRONE]

Sorry for my English! If it's wrong, it's not my fault, but Google Translate's!!!
Lee TL bullets were designed to be lubricated with Alox!!!
After that, everyone can do as they see fit.

[gwpercle]

Sorry for my English! If it's wrong, it's not my fault, but Google Translate's!!!
Lee TL bullets were designed to be lubricated with Alox!!!
After that, everyone can do as they see fit.

There's more than one way to skin a ... boolit lubricating ... cat !
Some times you just have to think outside the ... Cat Box !

I hope Google can translate my English ... this translation might sound strange !
Lets have a drink !
Gary

[Dusty Bannister]

Having access to Google Translate does open the door to other parts of the world and is a good thing. It does have some limitations, but so does American Slang. The benefit is to participate on the forum and not be left out of the conversation.

[Green Frog]

I’m well aware that the “TL” in the mould designation indicates a bullet designed to be tumble lubed with Lee’s liquid Alox product that they introduced at the time the earliest of TL moulds were released. I tried liquid Alox back then on some conventional bullets with acceptable results. The problem was, I’d didn’t like the overall mess the process made.

As stated in my OP, I’ve fallen heir to a couple of TL moulds in desirable weights and configurations, so I would like to try shooting some of them but don’t want to fool with the liquid lube process. By asking here I hoped I would hear from folks who had done the technique I want (experiences pro and con) and I did. Thank you all.
Froggie

[curiousgeorge]

Mr. Frog,
Years ago I traded into a Ruger BH in 41 Magnum, but I didn't have a sizing die or mold. I bought the Lee TL410-210-SWC mold, a bottle of the Liquid Alox, and started making bullets. I bought a small Tupperware bowl and an old cookie sheet at our local Peddler's Mall for $2.00. I would put a layer of wax paper on the cookie sheet, tumble the bullets in the bowl, and pour them out on the cookie sheet to dry. I learned really quick that less is more when it came to the amount of lube to squirt on the bullets. After everything dried, the lid went on the bowl just to keep any dirt or dust out of it and the wax paper went into the garbage. Really pretty painless overall. I shot them unsized over 6.5, 7.0, and some at 8.0 grains of Unique with very little to no leading and the accuracy was acceptable to me (minute of squirrel from ground to tree canopy). I also still have a few of the Hornady swaged 32 caliber bullets left, but purchased the 2 cavity version of the Lee TL314-90-SWC. I have made one run of bullets but have not done anything with them yet. I have a .311, .312, and .313 sizing die for my Lyman, but probably will try pulling out the old Tupperware bowl and try lubing them with the Alox and shooting them unsized.

[Green Frog]

Mr George,

I went through virtually the same sequence only with a 45-70 and a Lyman bullet mould with conventional lube grooves. I was surprised and somewhat pleased with the result but not the process, so I put tumble lubing on the shelf. On one of my visits to Dale53, he tried to convert me, so we went through the same process only with 45-45-10 he insisted we make up there. As before, things went right by the script and the finished product worked, but I still just couldn’t warm up to the process. I know it works, I’ve seen it work and done it myself, it just isn’t for me.

I like those swaged SWC bullets in 32 (now discontinued) and the Lee TL SWC mould is a pretty good approximation of it. Although the Lee TL WC mould isn’t a HBWC like the (also discontinued) swaged ones I like and used, it’s close enough that I think it will be OK for to use with my recreated K32 and the various others as well. This thread was just to confirm my belief that the TL moulded bullets could be lubed “conventionally” with my Lyman 450, information that has now been provided. Thanks to all who responded.

Froggie

[gwpercle]

I agree with Froggie ... I can do the TL process , have used thinned LLA and 45-45-10 successfully ... but I just don't care for the finished end product ... I just don't like the boolit covered from base to meplat in lubericant ... it's messy looking and the extra sizing step(s) are required . All my boolits seem to need sizing !

I just Much prefer the results of a Lyman 450 / 4500 Lube / Sizer !
but ... To Each His Own !
Gary

[Green Frog]

^^^this^^^