Bullet Lube makes mess on cases

[BigMikeUSMC]

Hello all,

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who experiences this problem and would like to know if there is a 'cure' or at least simple solution: when making rounds in any pistol caliber and using lubed hard cast lead bullets, the excess wax ends up all over the cases making a real mess.

At first I thought it might be the result of buildup in the dies, but after checking found that wasn't the case.

Has anyone else seen this and if so, what can/do you do about it?

All the best,
Mike

 

[davinci]

I haven't seen this problem myself with commercial bullets. In the world of casting your own bullets, you can wipe off lube with mineral spirits to make things pretty after the ammo's been loaded.

 

[armoredman]

I use Lee Liquid Alox, and have no issues...and no leading.

 

[Steve C]

Clean your dies, then expand the case mouth a bit more when seating so the lube doesn't get scrapped off and if that doesn't work an expander sized for cast bullets wouldn't be a bad investment. It also helps to hand start the bullet a bit in the case mouth rather than just sitting it loosly on top of the case mouth. Scrapped off lube is most likely accumulating in the seating die. You probably started by getting it on your fingers when picking up rounds after the bullet is seated, then transferring the lube from your fingers to the cases, from the cases to the dies and then back on the cases.

 

[SilentArmy]

Use a separate crimp die with cast bullets. Your crimp/seat dies close the neck as the bullet seats, scraping lube off and causing a mess and even a Kaboom in my Beretta 96! Also, you can run the loaded ammo in the vibrator for 10-15 mins to clean after loading. I know Commercial remanufacturers that do this and no problems have occurred.

 

[Doug b]

A Lyman "M" expander die will also help with most of the problem.

 

[BigMikeUSMC]

Hello all,

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions. A few clarifications seem to be in order:

The bullets I am loading (380ACP, 9mm and 45ACP) are all commercial cast from Penn, Midstates and a few from NBC. They are all sized and lubed with what appears (color) to be different commercial lubes.

Using a separate FCD (Lee) in position 5 of the Loadmaster (BTW - this thing really does turn out the ammunition. I found manually setting the bullets is just as quick (if not quicker) than the bullet feeder and also allows me the option of checking out the powder charge in the case.)

Maybe I need to adjust the powder feed/bell die to give it a bit more bell as it sure appears the problem is the excess lube being wiped during the seating and subsequent crimping.

I have tumbled finished rounds and it does clean them up quite well, but I usually load at least two different calibers and often different powders/charges so they would need to be segregated when tumbling and I'd prefer to avoid that if possible. Of course I could use those mesh baggies I thought were pretty slick when I first saw them!

All constructive criticism welcome!

Best,
Mike

 

[byf43]

I echo what Steve C said, and will add:

De-burr the casemouths if you haven't, already.



That, and the (extra) belling of the casemouths will help tremendously.

 

[TheFrenchCanadian]

I agree with what the others have said.

I'm running the same setup as you it sounds (Loadmaster w/ FCD in position 5 & commercial cast bullets...), and was having the same problem until I started belling the case mouth a bit more.

Prior to doing this I was having to really work at it to get the bullet started in the case mouth (slow & hard on the fingers by the end of the night!), but once I started belling them a bit more, I'm able to get them started without a fuss, basically set 'em on and give a gentle little push down & done. Speeds things up a mite too... althought as you mentioned, it's a pretty quick setup as it is.

Now the most I get is a minor little smear of lube on the odd round, before each one was covered in a heavy coating of it!

Take care,
TFC

 

[BigMikeUSMC]

Hello TFC,

Yep, I cleaned up all the dies with mineral spirits then adjusted the bell to be quite a bit more (it was set at the minimum.) Now I can set the bullet on the case and set it fairly square and just into the case - the seater takes over and then the FCD.

A brief wipe with a rag with some mineral spirits for the little was that carried over and they look pretty good.

Appreciate your comments and suggestions.

All the best,
Mike