cleaning lead bullets

[thedave]

recently I picked up a box of 148 grain lead wadcutters, unknown brand. They are covered in some sort of yellowish lube that almost reminds me of cosmoline. All the lead bullets i've usedd before have had a lube ring but have been clean otherwise.

Should I leave the lube in the grooves but clean the rest of it off? Or should I clean the excess off after i've loaded them? What would be the best way to clean them?

 

[Rottweiler]

Could it be Liquid Alox? If it is just load'em and shoot'em as is

 

[HSMITH]

Most all swaged bullets are that way. Load and shoot at lower velocities and all is well.

 

[cracked butt]

Just shoot them as is.
If its liquid alox on them and you have some compelling reason to remove the lube, terpentine should take it off.

 

[thedave]

I just wanted to make sure that was how they were supposed tio be. thanks all

 

[Ross]

When the bullets are really greasy, I generally swipe the base over a towel, especially if they will not be shot immediately. It helps prevent contamination of the powder.
If they are too messy after loading, I tumble them for about ten or fifteen minutes in confetti media.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

 

[alex-v.]

If they have lube grooves there is a good chance they were lubed with liquid Alox or a similar lube mix. If they have the little dimples all over them they are probably some swaged bullet with a liquid lube applied and then allowed to dry.

Alox is usually a light brown to heavy yellow in color when it dries.