What should I do with these bullets

[Grub Master]

I am new to reloading and have only loaded plated bullets. I bought 2,000 cast bullets recently that were not packed or shipped properly. While being shipped the packing material was beaten down and the individual boxes broke. There is a fair amount of wax-lube flakes in the bottom of the box. How do I know if there is enough lube left on the bullets and if it isn't how do I lube them? The supplier replaced them, but the next batch was almost as bad as the first and did not respond to my email.

 

[armoredman]

If you look and see lube on them, load them. If you see no lube whatsoever, and want a really cheap way to lube, get yourself some Lee Liquid Alox lube and follow directions. Then load and shoot.

 

[LiveLife]

I am new to reloading and have only loaded plated bullets.

On your next order, you might want to try Missouri Bullets - they got nice heavy double cover flap bullet boxes wrapped inside a heavy plastic bag. Even all the way to California with determined USPS workers rough handling the boxes, they arrive intact. I have received many boxes with outer USPS priority boxes ripped/torn and corners crushed (obviously dropped and/or tossed really hard) but the bullets were in pristine condition with no damage to bullet lube (OK, I have found a few bullets with lube knocked off, but that's out of over 15,000 bullets shipped - and Brad tends to toss a few more in each box ).

BTW, no need to buy shipping insurance - Missouri Bullets is self-insured and will cover any shipping damage - pronto.

This is how the lube looks after the cross-country USPS trip.

 

[mefitz]

+1 to the Missouri Bullet suggestion! I've purchased from them half a dozen times with quick and secure delivery!

 

[Grub Master]

I plan on buying from Missouri next time. I need to use these up first.

 

[ljnowell]

Who did you order those from, just out of curiosity. Its good information for us reloaders to know.

 

[mc2212]

Check these guys out.

http://www.friendswoodbullet.com/

I ordered a box of 200 grain SWC .45 ACP bullets from them and could not have been happier. Their prices were very competative, and the qauilty was very good.

 

[LiveLife]

I plan on buying from Missouri next time.

Actually, order them from Powder Valley as they list the same bullet over 10% less then Missouri Bullets website:

Missouri Bullets: 200 gr SWC - $39.50/500
Powder Valley: 200 gr SWC - $35.89/500

 

[UpTheIrons]

Actually, order them from Powder Valley as they list the same bullet over 10% less then Missouri Bullets website:

Missouri Bullets: 200 gr SWC - $39.50/500
Powder Valley: 200 gr SWC - $35.89/500

Or order them from Missouri and use the THR discount code, which is good for 5% or 10% off, can't remember which right now.

 

[LiveLife]

UpTheIrons, you do realize that Powder Valley sells Missouri Bullets?

BTW, the THR discount is for 5% off.

I figure, ordering from Powder Valley will keep Brad/Jo Ann from filling many smaller orders and give them a much needed break.

 

[GLOOB]

How do you tell? Look at the lube groove. If more than half of it is missing, it's probably not a good thing.

If 80 percent of your bullets are ok, I'd just save the broken lube flakes. When you go to seating, you can stuff in the missing chunks on the worst offenders. I think lube sorta carries over shot to shot, so I wouldn't be too paranoid about shooting a few dry bullets, here and there.

 

[243winxb]

Bullet Lube

How do I know if there is enough lube left on the bullets.

Shoot them. Most bullets will have more lube than needed when the lube groove is full. The barrel gets conditioned leaving a lube star on the muzzle end after 50 or 100 rounds. Tho, hard lubes may be different than 50/50 alox/bees wax.

if it isn't how do I lube them?

Lee Liquid Alox, as said above.

 

[fallout mike]

I ordered from Missouri bullet on a Saturday afternoon and they were delivered Monday morning. And the owner is a fellow high road member.

 

[UpTheIrons]

UpTheIrons, you do realize that Powder Valley sells Missouri Bullets?

BTW, the THR discount is for 5% off.

I figure, ordering from Powder Valley will keep Brad/Jo Ann from filling many smaller orders and give them a much needed break.

Yeah, I knew that.

Didn't think about the small order angle, though - good point! They're busy enough as it is without all of us clamoring for 1 or 2K bullets at a time.

 

[dwhite]

Do the Lee Liquid Alox thing. It's real easy and inexpensive. I use it on all the cast bullets I shoot. I buy all my bullets. Can't prove it helps but it doesn't seem to hurt.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[NCsmitty]

+1 on the Lee liquid Alox.

I cast and tumble lube all my lead bullets with it, and it works very well. It should supplement any of your bullets lacking lube. You just need to let them dry overnight on wax paper after coating.



NCsmitty

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Load 'em up and shoot 'em.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Tumble lube with Rooster Jacket or Alox. The Rooster Jacket has a lot more pleasing aroma. Tumble lube is easy, place the bullet in a container and squirt in some lube. I have some cheap plastic boxes that hold a quart. You can also use a baggie. tumble the bullets until they are covered and pour out on a cookie sheet. The wax paper helps. Put them under a ceiling fan to dry.

 

[mdi]

This is why most commercial casters use lube that is too hard; to survive shipping. I guess your's didn't though. If more than 1/3 of the lube is missing, I'd melt off the remaining and either pan lube them (Google "pan lubing bullets" and you'll get a bunch of hits, some youtube videos too), or alox (alox is prolly the easiest method, I use it often) or Rooster Lube. I've melted lube off bullets by putting paper towels down in a pan and setting the bullets, base down on the paper towel. Put in oven @ about 175 - 200 degrees and the lube will melt off and be absorbed by the towels (oven doesn't get hot enough for paper to ignite.

If spots of lube are missing you can just push some of the flaked off lube back into place by hand (or soften some paraffin or beeswax and finger lube them). I've heard of just using chapstick to fill in some missing spots...
http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_5-0_BulletLubes.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBDFO0ftCQc
http://goatlipstips.cas-town.com/panlubing4.html

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

I'm curious as to where you ordered from as well. Care to tell? We'd like to not make that same mistake!

 

[supergoat343]

lee alox

As stated several times before, one squirt of Lee alox in an empty coffee can works well. Lay nose up on wax paper to dry for a day and you ready to go.
Use in a well ventilated area cause the stuff reeks.
Best of luck in finding better cast bullets online and thanks to all of the guys for the info.

 

[noylj]

1) You can just shoot them. If range is under 25 yds, you'll be fine.
2) If the company sent me replacement bullets, I would be thrilled.
3) If you want to lube them, put 500 bullets in a casserole dish, squirt a little LLA on them and shuffle them around (like dominoes) until all the bullets are shiny/wet looking. Pour on to wax paper or aluminum foil and let dry for 24 hours.
4) You can also do the same with Rooster Jacket or any wax emulsion