[g4string]

After doing some research on casting, which will be my first time, I am assuming I need to apply lube after I cast. I was thinking of taking the .54 great plains conicals and putting them in a pot with melted beeswax. After the beeswax is cooled I can punch them out. Then I am left with a conical with a nice coating of lube. I will use bore butter for swabbing the bore when shooting.

My only question/concern is that punching the conicals out of the beeswax is going to be difficult. Should I mix the beeswax with something? Should I use something else besides beeswax? Or should I hand lube with bore butter before shooting?

Thanks!!

[Omnivore]

Yes. The beeswax is pretty hard. There are several recipies, but roughly half vegetable shortening works well. The commercial bullets sold by TC have TC Bore Butter in the grooves. The "lube pills" described elsewhere in this secion for revolvers are made of Beeswax, Crisco and some olive oil. They have about the right consistency for your application-- maybe a bit hard still. I've made it a couple of times but I forget the exact proportions, It will will depend on the consistency you want. Too soft and it'll start to flow in warm weather storage.

You can apply the lube with your fingers if you're not doing a big batch of bullets. A lube/sizing tool and die is probably a good idea if you plan to do much of this. Lyman, for one, sells them.

It's not critical. Just make sure you lube 'em up good. Loading and cleaning will then be much easier.

[g4string]

I spoke with Lyman and the Rep from Midsouth Shooters..........the .54 GP Conical are shot as cast..........resizing is not required. I will try 50/50 of beeswax and crisco.

[dwave]

I lube my cast bullets with 50/50 bees wax and crisco, same mix I use for my lube pills.

[DutchmanDick]

I used 50/50 beeswax and crisco on the .575 Minie balls I got for my Enfield. Works great! I just dipped the bullets in to just past the top grease groove (while holding the bullet nose) and let the excess drip off. Left a decent coat of lube on the ball, but not too much.