New to loading--tumble or liquid lubes?

[Deus Machina]

Is liquid-lubing really much better, or does tumble-lubing make up for it in convenience?

Would heated pan-lubing with wax lubes ruin the 'case harden' lead takes from a freshly-solid-to-cold-water dunk, or is that really not enough to worry about anyway?

I'd prefer to shoot these as-cast, and save myself the extra step (and the money!) that a lubri-sizer or even the sizing kit for a single-stage and pan-lubes would cost, but if tumble lubing is going to lead up my stuff much worse, it's worth looking into.

Then again, between scrap and an afternoon, I could have a nice 'lube-squisher' made in the garage, that would lube rounds without sizing them...

Edit: For .38 Special and likely for 9mm, not up to .357's wickedness.

 

[BHP FAN]

I'm learning to love Lee liquid Alox.I sprinkle a little around on my cast boolits in a margerine container,swirl,let dry,and I'm done.Then if it's something I've sized,I'll give it a few more drops,and give it the swirly treatment again.most of what I cast I use as is,unless I'm makeing .308's out of .311 180 gr.,then I'll size 'em while I'm putting the gas checks on.

 

[earplug]

I have been using Rooster bullet jacket tumble lube on my 45 acp and 38 spl cast bullets. I shoot them unsized as cast. I'm happy.

 

[lgbloader]

Rooster bullet jacket

Earplug, I've heard nothing but good about this stuff. I am interested in trying it.

Right now, I tumble in LLA and then size and then retumble in LLA, let dry, and then tumble in Johnson's Paste wax. It takes away the stickyness and I hardly ever get any leading plus with the carnuba wax in the JPW, my bores shine like crazy.

But I am still interested in Rooster. Tell me about it. I hear it there is hardly any smoke and no leading.

LGB

 

[earplug]

Rooster Lube

I have been very happy with the result.
I have been using the Lee none tumble lube 200 grain SWC 45 SWC mold with 3.5 grains of Bullseye, A lyman 200 SWC with the same load and a Lyman 225 LRN with 3.7 grains of Clays.
I get a little smoke and leading is a none issue. Clean up is about par with a bullet such as Billy Bullets or a commercial cast bullet.
I did bump up the Clays load a bit and started getting leading.
Been working with a old Lyman 358 SWC mold that has shown good results with unsized bullets shot in a model 15 and a 642.
I do own a Lyman 450 sizer, if I don't need to use it I can keep it in the basement crawl space.

 

[modwerdna]

I have been using Lee liquid alox tumble lube for 4 years now. It works best with tumble lube styled bullets, micro groove. There is a lot less smoke from them instead of regular beeswax or paraffin, and a lot less mess in the press, seater die doesn't creep down on you. Just like they say, spread out your slugs on a paper plate, dump a blob on the lot, roll them around through it till all are coated, let them dry over night and away you go. It holds up file even to 44 mags @ 1400 fps

That's all I will use any more

 

[Deus Machina]

Hmmm, what about rifle rounds?

7.62x39 and x54r? I don't reload for them yet, but unless ammo costs drop relatively soon, I'll buy the dies and molds.