Reloading question

Status
Not open for further replies.

pohill

Member
Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
1,853
Rookie mistake - I loaded up some rounds for the 50-70, but ran out of bullet lube. Will Bore Butter work until I get some more SPG? (5 rounds)
 
I don't know if it will work in a cartridge or not but I'd guess that it won't be ideal due to Bore Butter's low melting point. I don't even like it on maxi-balls due to its tendency to turn liquid so easily.

You could make up a concoction of something like 'rooster jack' by mixing about 5-7 parts of crisco with one part beeswax .. melt them together and mix. If you want it thicker (harder), add more beeswax. If you want it more pliable, add more crisco. Don't get it too hot or it will burn.
 
Pohill, did you mean you loaded unlubed bullets into charged cases? If so, I don't think simply applying some Bore Butter to the exposed surface of the bullet will be enough. If you intend to pull any unlubed bullets and then apply Bore Butter prior to reinserting into the cases, I don't believe you will be happy with the results. Bore Butter becomes soft at room temperature. However, you might get acceptable results by thickening it up with the addition of either some bees wax or paraffin wax.

Good luck, and let us know how it worked out for you.
 
I loaded the powder, reached for the SPG to lube the bullets but there's not enough left. So, I have loaded cartridges waiting for the bullets to be seated.
Yeah, now that I think of it, Bore Butter doesn't stand up to heat at all. I'll get some more SPG or try the beeswax/Crisco formula.
 
If'n I were you, I think I'd either:

a) Whip up some homemade lube
b) Leave them unlubed
c) Go get some more SPG

Which you choose depends on how much time you have, and how much you are worried about it.
 
Did you already load the cartridges without lube? It's not clear from your first post.

Anyway, some folks at the cast boolits forum say peanut butter makes a good cast rifle bullet lube. I *think* they are serious...
 
No, I haven't seated the bullets yet.
Peanut butter? Mixed with what?
When I said "rookie mistake" I meant that I didn't plan it out enough.
 
Last edited:
i got a nice amount of beeswax off ebay. i gave up looking local and this stuff was already filtered ready to go. the price was acceptable.

Have you had a look in the fridge for some crisco/veg fat etc?
 
I just ordered some beeswax online. I used to make lube pills for my BP revolvers - beeswax, Crisco, and paraffin. I'll probably leave the paraffin out.
There's alot of recipes for BP lubes online. Beeswax and Crisco looks like the easiest.
 
I've used beeswax 50/50 with olive oil or lard or deer tallow. The BW/olive oil was a little tacky or soft. The BW/lard was pretty good (and cheap too). The BW/deer tallow is best: firmer but a good lube for my Lyman sizer. You don't want to know how much that deer tallow probably REALLY cost me to get but I just couldn't let 2" of back fat go to waste so I rendered about 5 lbs of it. Supposedly mutton tallow is even better but the deer was "in hand". A 50/50 BW and peanut oil is also supposed to be good. Arguably, SPG tops them all and you ought to stick to one lube while working up a load.
 
Howdy

I used to make up my own BP bullet lube from a 50/50 mixture of Beeswax and Crisco. Did it for years before I bought my Starr lubrisizer, pan lubed the bullets in the oven. Melted a chunk of beeswax in a double boiler on the stove top, then added in a similar sized glob of Crisco. Actual proportions were not too critical, just tried to eyeball it at 50/50.
 
Gouda cheese red wax and vaseline? What ratio?

I generally throw the red wax into the fireplace.
 
Buck Emmert's lube;

1750 grains Beeswax
1368 grains Crisco Shortening
328 grains Wesson Oil-Vegatable oil

melt in double boiler, pan lube.
 
I combine beeswax and olive oil for a reasonable lube in my 50-70. Start at 50/50 and increase one of the other until you get the consistency you want. I go for a little stiffer than lip balm.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top