TargetTalk

OK, you home bullet casters.
What is your favourite home lube for Centre fire bullets ?
Mine is 2 parts Beeswax, 2 parts Petroleum Jelly, 1 part Rocol Anti Scuffing paste (3% moly grease).

I got lucky several months back and was able to obtain a couple of gallons of Alox 2138F, so I mix that 50/50 with beeswax by weight and come up with the original NRA formula lube like the old Tamarack lube. Works great!

Lee Alox works pretty well, even with some of my rifle loads. I sometimes cut it with some mineral spirits. Just toss around in a baggie.

If you tumble lube, it's hard to beat 45-45-10 lube. I like to apply 2 very light coats, no tackiness, no leading, and no smoke. Let the first coat dry for 12-24 hours before applying the 2nd coat.
Stan

I'd suggest not using petroleum jelly in the mix. My experience with it is that it has a low melt point and can contaminate the powder if the ammo is stored in hot conditions (like a trunk). YMMV. It is also possible I over did the ratio in my mix but I just avoid it now. All things considered I find it just as cost effective to buy White's lube in bulk since the cost of their mixes is not much more than buying the components to make it. I used to pan lube but now have a Star lube sizer which does a good job and saves time by combining the size and lube steps.

porkchop wrote: ↑Wed Jun 07, 2023 9:39 am If you tumble lube, it's hard to beat 45-45-10 lube. I like to apply 2 very light coats, no tackiness, no leading, and no smoke. Let the first coat dry for 12-24 hours before applying the 2nd coat.
Stan

Hey porkchop, what the heck is 45-45-10 lube?

Bob

Hi porkchop, I've found it: 45-45-10, is 45% Lee Liquid Alox, 45% Johnsons Paste Wax concentrate, 10% mineral spirits.

Not sure what the Australian equivalent is to Johnsons Paste Wax but a local outfit sells the concoction ready-made (for Australian consumption only):


Bob

Bob, that's the stuff use thin coats. I like to put 3 thin lines in the bottom of a 2 or 3 liter plastic container and dump in 200-250 bullets. Swish them around until you get a light coat on them for about 3 minutes or more. Spread them on a tray lined with wax paper and let them dry for a few hours or dry to the touch. Then coat them again with another thin coat, this should make them a real thin light gold colour. Then spread them on wax paper again for 12 hours or more, they should be dry and not sticky. With a good load I rarely get any leading and no lube smoke. If you coat them too heavy they'll take longer to dry and harden the coating.
Stan