cast bullet lube?

B

bobeano

Active member
I got a cpl boxes of 1000 cast alum bullets. There from 80s.
I notice the grove around bottom has a lot of lube gone,but not all gone.
Are they safe to use or do i need to refill with lube
If makes any diff there 45long colt bullets.
Also got 500 copper plated from same era,lube is fine on them
 
Are you sure these are aluminum? I've just never heard of that.

I also never see copper jacketed/plated with lube on them, there's just no need for it.

Some pictures maybe?
 
Originally Posted By: biggen0_8Are you sure these are aluminum? I've just never heard of that.

I also never see copper jacketed/plated with lube on them, there's just no need for it.

Some pictures maybe?

After i posted i realize what i said,my bad,they are lead
Ill look again now and see about copper.
I can take pics of booth but i have trouble posting pics
 
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I have/do shoot a lot of cast. If it was me and I had the stuff I would run them through the lube sizer. Velocity and alloy has the most to do with leading though I think. Have shot thousands of 45LC without any problem but at normal velocity,not hot loads.
 
sizing is probably the most relevant issue with leading, speed and alloy matter too. most bullets are cast too hard and do not obturate. or are just too small and do not seal the bore.
 
bobeano sent me this,hopefully I can get it to post

1116141332_zpse2084873.jpg


The coppers look like a copper wash or plate like a Berrys I've never seen one like that.

The others are just straight lead. The lube is getting a little worn off, you could probably fire a few and see if you see anything in your barrel. Or you could take and boil the lube off in hot water or wash in lacquer thinner and then tumble lube them with something like Lees Alox or Hi-Tech coatings.

I have just started into powder coating my cast bullets, and I love it. Still perfecting my process but I'm getting there.
 
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Originally Posted By: biggen0_8bobeano sent me this,hopefully I can get it to post

1116141332_zpse2084873.jpg


Thanks for posting
you can see the lack of lube on the lead and see there is good lube on the copper ones.
There a date on boxes they came in of 1984,but 500 copper and 2000 lead for free,i am not gonna complain how old they are.
Just dont know if safe to load the lead bullets with lack off lube
 
Its safe to shoot unlubed lead bullets as long as you keep a close eye on your barrel for leading. Size of the bullet vs. bore size is the most important part for NOT leading a barrel. It would be best to atleast coat the bullets with LEE Allox lube. If you have a Size lubing press, that would be your best approach.
Velocity has very little to do with leading.
 
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