Lee liquid Alox
- Thread starter KY DAN
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No right or wrong way to do it.
I've used every mix from pure LLA to 1:4 LLA to mineral spirits.
Pure LLA leaves a heavy coating that will be tacky after drying. Can be messy, but it sure works well as a lube.
I like 1:1, leaves a thin film that dries pretty well. Leaves a little tackyness. (keep the bullets in a sealed container after they dry)
The ultimate mix is the paste wax mix.
45% LLA, 45% Johnson's paste wax, 10% mineral spirits.
My buddy uses that and it's very impressive. dries without being tacky, works great.
I've used every mix from pure LLA to 1:4 LLA to mineral spirits.
Pure LLA leaves a heavy coating that will be tacky after drying. Can be messy, but it sure works well as a lube.
I like 1:1, leaves a thin film that dries pretty well. Leaves a little tackyness. (keep the bullets in a sealed container after they dry)
The ultimate mix is the paste wax mix.
45% LLA, 45% Johnson's paste wax, 10% mineral spirits.
My buddy uses that and it's very impressive. dries without being tacky, works great.
Put some alox in a small open top container, like a small cup, maybe 2 oz.. Add about a tablespoon of mineral spirits and stir with an ice cream stick. Repeat until the alox is the consistency you want. Or place the alox container in a pan of water and heat until the alox is thin enough to use...
In other words there is no exacting formula, just add solvent until you get a mixture thin enough to leave a thin coat of alox on the bullets (more is not better, just a thin film). If you think it's too thin, add some alox. If you think it's too thick, add some solvent...
In other words there is no exacting formula, just add solvent until you get a mixture thin enough to leave a thin coat of alox on the bullets (more is not better, just a thin film). If you think it's too thin, add some alox. If you think it's too thick, add some solvent...
whughett
Member
I use it straight when the bottle is first opened. Because I move on a 6 months rotation between two locations the opened bottles seems to thicken up. Especially the Florida one which is in an non garage that gets hot in the summer. Splash of mineral spirits thins it down, IMO thicker is better if I can squirt it out if the tip I’m happy. I find I can control the coating by how much is dropped into the container of bullets before shaking or as Lee instructs, tumble.
GBExpat
Member
Good stuff.
If you cook up a batch on the kitchen stove, be sure that SWMBO is out of the house and will not return for at least an hour after you finish ... and think seriously about drawing some air thru the house with a boxfan in a window.
White Label Lubes sells 45-45-10 by the quart (which will last a very long time) for those that don't want to cook up a batch... https://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13
243winxb
Member
I warm a small amount in a tiny plastic lid that i set in a mug with boiling water. I see no reason to heat the whole Lee Alox bottle.
From Lee-
From Lee-
The only time I warm it is if I am mixing in paste wax.
I put just a tablespoon or two of the mix in a plastic container with the bullets, tumble them around, spread the bullets on a cotton rag base down. That way excess lube is wicked away by the cotton and you don't get clumps on the nose or sides.
Pre-warming the bullets speeds up the drying process.
I put just a tablespoon or two of the mix in a plastic container with the bullets, tumble them around, spread the bullets on a cotton rag base down. That way excess lube is wicked away by the cotton and you don't get clumps on the nose or sides.
Pre-warming the bullets speeds up the drying process.
desmobob
Member
I just tried Alox for the first time. I used it straight on some unlubricated 148gr. HBWC bullets I bought in bulk. I shot a bunch over 2.7gr. Bullseye in my .38 and a bunch over 3gr. Bullseye in my .357 today with no leading issues.
It seems to work well as-is. What is the advantage of adding paste wax? A less sticky bullet after it dries?
It seems to work well as-is. What is the advantage of adding paste wax? A less sticky bullet after it dries?
I tend to not use the TupperwareTumble method. [`Hurts me to think of the dulled bullet-base edges as a result]
In fact (when I use it ) I just squeeze a small 'dab' full strength on my thumb/forefinger and rotate the bullet shank between them -- usually 2-4 bullets per finger-dab. It makes for a very thin coat, with just a hint of some in the grooves.
Place them onto a slightly-warm [170°] oven on a plate for 20-min/cool overnite, and when dry can barely see/feel any coating at all -- shoot them.... FAST.
[2,000-2,200 fps in the rifles I'm using them in]
In fact (when I use it ) I just squeeze a small 'dab' full strength on my thumb/forefinger and rotate the bullet shank between them -- usually 2-4 bullets per finger-dab. It makes for a very thin coat, with just a hint of some in the grooves.
Place them onto a slightly-warm [170°] oven on a plate for 20-min/cool overnite, and when dry can barely see/feel any coating at all -- shoot them.... FAST.
[2,000-2,200 fps in the rifles I'm using them in]
Hooda Thunkit
Member
I have always had 2 thoughts about Lee Liquid Alox.
1- If Lee had come out with some better instructions to use it, rather than "...squirt a small amount on some bullets...", it would be more popular.
2- If some company other than Lee had come out with it, it would be considered the Best Thing Ever!!! by some who disdain it now.
1- If Lee had come out with some better instructions to use it, rather than "...squirt a small amount on some bullets...", it would be more popular.
2- If some company other than Lee had come out with it, it would be considered the Best Thing Ever!!! by some who disdain it now.
ThomasT
Member
I have a big batch mixed with Johnsons floor wax that is no longer available. I read about it on the castboolits forum. I do thin the Alox with mineral spirits till it flows easily but don't have any portions. According to CE Harris if you can see it you used too much. One other thing I liked to do when I had some was to over coat with Rooster Jacket. That takes care of the tackiness and I never have a leading problem.
As far as I know Rooster Jacket is once again available. I really like it too. Its good stuff. You can spend a little time reading on this site and learn from the experience of the author.
https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/38wadcutterQA.htm
As far as I know Rooster Jacket is once again available. I really like it too. Its good stuff. You can spend a little time reading on this site and learn from the experience of the author.
https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/38wadcutterQA.htm
desmobob
Member
I just gave another couple hundred HBWCs the Alox treatment. I don't find any difficulty with the tackiness. After I coat them with the "tupperware tumble" I spread them out on a piece of wax paper on top of the clothes dryer. Drying one load of clothes also takes care of the bullets.
Old Stumpy
Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2019
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I store mine in a glass Spaghetti sauce jar to seal in the moisture.
Arkansas Paul
Member
This.
For stuff under 1000 fps, this is my go to.
If you don't want to mix it yourself, White Label Lube sells it. 16 oz for only $12.95
https://lsstuff.com/store/index.php...oducts_id=14&zenid=klgam6p1qui61s4opcfrk1ppe0
kmw1954
Member
I just finished sizing and tumble lubing 200 380acp 102gr with the 45-45-10 which I keep in a glass jar. Heat in a pan of water that is just starting to boil then turn the heat off.
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