Lee "Tumble Lube"
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
Joined
·
2,019 Posts
You are correct, although I believe in most cases there's no need to size them at all.
I've used the .45 200 grain SWC and found it to be very accurate. The Lee moulds are also easy to get good bullets out of, as you can cool them down on a wet cloth if they start to look frosty.
This is a cheap way to get started casting since there's no need for a $100 lubrisizer, $13 H&I die, and $5 top punch, but having lube all over the bullet caused me to upgrade to a Lyman mould and lubrisizer.
The best way I've found to apply the lube is to put the bullets in a zip lock bag, add a "line" of lube near the top sides of the bag, close the bag (get some air in there) and then turn the bag over in your hands until all the bulets are lubed. The bag provides much more surface area for the lube than the plastic container Lee recommends, and it's easier to tell how much lube is needed.
The only thing I use liquid alox for anymore is my paper patched .303 Brit bullets.
I will note that while it's posible, these bullets do not work very well if you upgrade to a lubrisizer. You'd have to use a soft lube for best results.
[This message has been edited by Walking Point (edited 08-13-2001).]
I've used the .45 200 grain SWC and found it to be very accurate. The Lee moulds are also easy to get good bullets out of, as you can cool them down on a wet cloth if they start to look frosty.
This is a cheap way to get started casting since there's no need for a $100 lubrisizer, $13 H&I die, and $5 top punch, but having lube all over the bullet caused me to upgrade to a Lyman mould and lubrisizer.
The best way I've found to apply the lube is to put the bullets in a zip lock bag, add a "line" of lube near the top sides of the bag, close the bag (get some air in there) and then turn the bag over in your hands until all the bulets are lubed. The bag provides much more surface area for the lube than the plastic container Lee recommends, and it's easier to tell how much lube is needed.
The only thing I use liquid alox for anymore is my paper patched .303 Brit bullets.
I will note that while it's posible, these bullets do not work very well if you upgrade to a lubrisizer. You'd have to use a soft lube for best results.
[This message has been edited by Walking Point (edited 08-13-2001).]
Joined
·
66 Posts
Lee Liquid Alox was a godsend for me. I shoot cast bullets for 95% of my shooting. Pistol and Rifle. I shoot Lee TL bullets 170gn and 210 gn in 41 Mag. Cast 'em Lube 'em
load 'm shoot 'em. Most Pistol bullets in modern manufacture moulds do not need to be sized. In my .30 rifles 2000 plus Fps with scrap lead (mostly wheelweights) easy. If you have ever scubbed out a leaded 28" rifle barrel you quickly learn to appreciate this. If I buy commercial lead bullets and they lead a barrel, they get a squirt of Lee Alox.
I apply it using a round Cool Whip tub. I put a layer of bullets in there, 3 or 4 big drops of lube. Shake them around about a minute, pour them on a piece of waxed paper, repeat. I started out putting it on heavily,
found out its not necessary, a little go's a long way. I am a natural born skeptik, but over the years I have discovered if Lee say's it, IT'S TRUE !!!
load 'm shoot 'em. Most Pistol bullets in modern manufacture moulds do not need to be sized. In my .30 rifles 2000 plus Fps with scrap lead (mostly wheelweights) easy. If you have ever scubbed out a leaded 28" rifle barrel you quickly learn to appreciate this. If I buy commercial lead bullets and they lead a barrel, they get a squirt of Lee Alox.
I apply it using a round Cool Whip tub. I put a layer of bullets in there, 3 or 4 big drops of lube. Shake them around about a minute, pour them on a piece of waxed paper, repeat. I started out putting it on heavily,
found out its not necessary, a little go's a long way. I am a natural born skeptik, but over the years I have discovered if Lee say's it, IT'S TRUE !!!
Joined
·
281 Posts
Timely question.
I just started casting and my first bullets are some .40 cal Lee 175 SWC TL bullets. They seemed to cast at the right diameter and they lubed and loaded up fine in 10mm and 40 cases. I plan on trying them out on Sunday when I head for the range.
I just started casting and my first bullets are some .40 cal Lee 175 SWC TL bullets. They seemed to cast at the right diameter and they lubed and loaded up fine in 10mm and 40 cases. I plan on trying them out on Sunday when I head for the range.
For Rezdog,
I'd recommend you don't tumble those loaded rounds to get the excess lube off. The vibrating degrades your powder and your accuracy will suffer.
And if any of you want to try some great tumble lube, order some Rooster lube. It can be cut with water and to use it, just put the lead in a screen-type container, dip it in a container (ammo can) of Rooster and lay them out on a screen to dry for a couple of hours. It doesn't gum up the seating die.
I used the Lee stuff for many years before I found this Rooster about ten years ago. It's good out to about 1400 FPS.
I'd recommend you don't tumble those loaded rounds to get the excess lube off. The vibrating degrades your powder and your accuracy will suffer.
And if any of you want to try some great tumble lube, order some Rooster lube. It can be cut with water and to use it, just put the lead in a screen-type container, dip it in a container (ammo can) of Rooster and lay them out on a screen to dry for a couple of hours. It doesn't gum up the seating die.
I used the Lee stuff for many years before I found this Rooster about ten years ago. It's good out to about 1400 FPS.
Joined
·
2,019 Posts
The rooster ad says it dries to a clear hard finish.
How hard is it compared to the Lee lube?
I think the tumble lube and the Lee sizer(if needed) is great for .45s, but switched to a lubrisizer after getting sick of lube all over the loaded round.
[This message has been edited by Walking Point (edited 09-22-2001).]
How hard is it compared to the Lee lube?
I think the tumble lube and the Lee sizer(if needed) is great for .45s, but switched to a lubrisizer after getting sick of lube all over the loaded round.
[This message has been edited by Walking Point (edited 09-22-2001).]
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
