Just ALOX for 45ACP Bullet Lube?

[john16443]

I've come into possession of about 500 unlubed cast bullets (185gr SWC button style) with a single lube groove. As I don't cast or have any way to lube them, I'm wondering if just coating them with ALOX and nothing else will allow me to shoot them in my 5" 1911? They are already at 0.452" diameter.

I've looked at a bunch of homemade recipies for lube, pan lubes, etc. For the limited amount that I have, these are not worth the time or effort in my opinion.

So, will just plain ALOX and tumbling the completed rounds to remove from the exposed portion of the bullet work in my 1911? If so, what can I expect when I shoot them?

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, Lee tumble lube liquid Alox should work.

I haven't used it, but others on THR report good results with it.

rc

 

[243winxb]

Cast Bullet Lubes

The Xlox worked ok, but not as good as normal lube. May work best with Lees tumble lube bullets, more lube grooves. http://www.lsstuff.com/lube/liquid-x.html

 

[mdi]

Yep, alox/xlox works fine on standard lube groove bullets, but don't use too much. 90% of new users use too much and get a sticky mess. Just a little dab will do ya! A light tan coating is all that's needed...

 

[drsfmd]

I lube with alox, run through the sizing die (yes, it's mess, but it works), allow to dry overnight, relube, dry overnight, then load. No need to tumble to remove excess. Alox dries to a very thin film.

 

[john16443]

Thanks all. Looks like I'll have to retrieve my bottle of ALOX and put it to use. I'll see how they dry to that thin film, and if still sticky, maybe all that I need to do is wipe the exposed bullet with a mineral spirits soaked rag to remove it.

 

[blarby]

ALOX is fine for cast bullets.

I use it for all of mine....

 

[41 Mag]

I have read and been told that if you can see the coating on the bullets your using too much. That said, I use too much most of the time. But I am running mine in magnums and figure I would rather err on the safe side.

For your 45 your not going to be pushing them all that hard in the first place so a very light coating will work just fine, if the fit is good. That said if they are overly sticky a light dusting with corn starch will cure that ASAP.

The only thing I have found I get with too much lube is excessive smoke, but I shoot outdoors and most of my loads are for hunting, so I don't really get overly bothered with it. Even while working up loads or practicing, it's still better than being worried about leading up my barrels.

 

[RNG]

Just started using Rooster Jacket. No stinky/sticky mess. Won't be going back to Alox.

 

[noylj]

Alox: works great for all shooting in my handguns and rifles.
Rooster Jacket: marginal even for light target .45s.
Recluse's 45% JPW/45%LLA/10%MS: excellent and more aesthetically agreeable than LLA, but no better in terms of accuracy.

 

[dragon813gt]

45/45/10 has the advantages of drying quickly. And is more forgiving if you over lube as far being messy. I use it for everything I shoot. But I did just get a Lubesizer so we'll see which is faster/better.


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[SSN Vet]

JPW ???

 

[dragon813gt]

Johnson's Paste Wax.


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[john16443]

Well, it turns out that these bullets are not sized either, so they are of no use to me as I don't have a bullet sizer, and don't need to buy one. These 195 bullets are going on sale in the Reloading components and Gear Buy/Sell/Trade subforum.

 

[Walkalong]

For $20 you can lube and size them.

 

[noylj]

What makes you think they NEED to be sized. I haven't sized a cast bullet since the mid '80s. If they are so grossly over-large (say 0.360" for 9mm), then they will be trash after sizing. If they are close, say 0.358" for 9mm, they don't need sizing and, in my guns, will be more accurate than any sized bullet.
Remember, the last thing you should do is simply tumble lube a couple and try them...

 

[dragon813gt]

How big are they? If they're .455 they will most likely chamber. If they won't they can most likely be sized down to .452/.453 without damage.


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[Swampman]

I'm with noylj, unless they're grossly oversized or out of round, load 'em up and shoot 'em. LLA works great, but for .45 ACP velocities almost anything will do. If your bore is in decent shape, straight Johnsons Paste Wax (floor wax) will work fine, just shoot 'em within a couple weeks of lubing/loading.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Alox works great.
To remove the lube from the visible portion of the bullet after loading, I have some corncob that gets used for that. Just add a capful of mineral spirits to the media and tumble for 15-20 minutes. Lube is gone.

 

[Swampman]

Just wonderin'...
How did
"about 500 unlubed cast bullets"

Turn into...
" These 195 bullets are going on sale..."
????

That's some EPIC shrinkage!

It's not THAT bad even the morning after my most optimistic all night casting sessions.

 

[john16443]

Just wonderin'...
How did
"about 500 unlubed cast bullets"

Turn into...
" These 195 bullets are going on sale..."
????

That's some EPIC shrinkage!

It's not THAT bad even the morning after my most optimistic all night casting sessions.

LOL - Last week I've taken possession of so much stuff from a friend that's leaving the area and didn't want to take a bunch of components with him. I guess I confused the quantities from my initial post for some of these same bullets that are sized and lubed.

@Walkalong - I'd give this a try, but Midway rapes you on shipping (over $17). I looked at Grafs and they have the same kit for the same price for reasonable shipping, but have to spend at least $25 on product. Other option is to find someone local and see about borrowing their die and Alox.

@noylj & others - these bullets are over 0.455 in their current condition, so I don't think I want to shoot them as is.

 

[Walkalong]

rapes you on shipping (over $17).

I just checked, and it was 14+ plus the $3 charge. Wow. Seems sometimes Midways automated shipping really overcharges. I wouldn't touch that either.

 

[john16443]

Well, as much as I hate to admit it, eBay turned out to be the absolute cheapest source for the sizing die and Alox kit. Decided to just buy it since the range session yesterday with the already sized and lubed bullets went real well using 5.1 grains of W231. For the $25 I've got more bullets, and my initial start on an equipment list for potential bullet casting down the road.

 

[Swampman]

FYI, If you can have it shipped to a commercial address it's a lot cheaper. I haven't had shipping charges of over $14.00 since I started doing this, and that includes a couple of orders that contained a bunch of .22 Long Rifle.

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, when I can get it shipped to work, it is always cheaper. Materials is used to getting stuff in for Engineering. It is always mark attention me anyway. I have had anything from hot sauce to primers shipped there. I had my Sturdy safe shipped to work. I got it home in our box truck with the lift gate.