Lubricant for cast bullets

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Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by juststarting » 22 Dec 2016, 2:01 am

Noisy, if you are reading this and I suspect you are, because who doesn't like lubricants! Mind sharing your lubricant concoction details? Also, because they look cool, how do people make lubricant in the grooves look blue or red or some other colour food die (like this: http://www.realguns.com/images/cstbltsfrprjt.jpg)? :)
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by Oldbloke » 22 Dec 2016, 3:08 am

This was posted by Noisy in another thread.

Try this....
1 part paraffin wax (candle wax)
1 part pure lard (I use bacon fat from the frying pan)
1/2 part beeswax
Melt hem together in a Pyrex meaning jug in the microwave. Stand your bullets up in a shallow tray about a finger width apart and pour in the melted mix till the lube grooves are covered. When it's solidified but still warm, tip out he block and push the bullets out with your thumb while supporting the block with your fingers underneath.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by juststarting » 22 Dec 2016, 8:46 am

Thanks, OB! Now, this excuse this grasshopper question, but, where do I get bee's wax?
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by Oldbloke » 22 Dec 2016, 9:04 am

A-ha. Good question.. I have been trying to get some myself and the price seems to indicate it's made of kryptonite. About $40 a kg. I'm looking for unrefined I believe it's much cheaper.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by Supaduke » 22 Dec 2016, 9:08 am

Bunnings has tins and blocks of beeswax in the furniture polish section
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by brett1868 » 22 Dec 2016, 9:43 am

A guy I work with has a honey production business up the Hunter Valley, I'll ask him about sourcing bees wax.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by juststarting » 22 Dec 2016, 10:53 am

Basically, I need a lot of bacon :)
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by in2anity » 22 Dec 2016, 12:42 pm

juststarting wrote:Basically, I need a lot of bacon :)


U can buy lard from Woolies - looks like a block of butter.

Beeswax (and parrafin wax if you don't trust candles) can be sourced on EBay.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by juststarting » 22 Dec 2016, 12:47 pm

I was thinking of just buying just plain cheap candles and using that. Should I avoid it?
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by Noisydad » 22 Dec 2016, 1:45 pm

Just as an aside, this bullet lube is absolutely awesome to treat super dried, cracked skin on your hands. Particularly those nasty v shaped cracks at the corners of your thumbs.
There's still a few of Wile. E Coyote's ideas that I haven't tried yet.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by Noisydad » 22 Dec 2016, 1:48 pm

juststarting wrote:Basically, I need a lot of bacon :)

You don't need that much. I make it in 100 gram batches.
A wax crayon melted in the mix can give the colouring you want.
There's still a few of Wile. E Coyote's ideas that I haven't tried yet.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by Tripod » 22 Dec 2016, 5:31 pm

Strange as it may seem the cheapest and easiest place to get bee's wax is from bee keepers. Ask around they are everywhere.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by juststarting » 22 Dec 2016, 5:38 pm

Just had a look at Bunnings, pretty expensive. Back to eBay, my old friend.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by juststarting » 22 Dec 2016, 5:39 pm

Tripod wrote:Strange as it may seem the cheapest and easiest place to get bee's wax is from bee keepers. Ask around they are everywhere.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:


I live in the burbs. I work in an office. Easier said than done.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by Oldbloke » 22 Dec 2016, 5:41 pm

Supaduke wrote:Bunnings has tins and blocks of beeswax in the furniture polish section


Doesn't get a mention in their web site. :unknown:
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by juststarting » 22 Dec 2016, 5:44 pm

Definitely there, OB. Just swung past it on the way home. Just under $10 for 100gm of solid pure wax. On eBay, $35 gets you 1kg.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by in2anity » 22 Dec 2016, 7:14 pm

juststarting wrote:I was thinking of just buying just plain cheap candles and using that. Should I avoid it?


Yeah you probably could - no harm in trying. I'm probably over cautious.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by Tripod » 22 Dec 2016, 8:31 pm

juststarting wrote:
Tripod wrote:Strange as it may seem the cheapest and easiest place to get bee's wax is from bee keepers. Ask around they are everywhere.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:


I live in the burbs. I work in an office. Easier said than done.

Send me your details and I will post you a block of the lube I make (It's Red) I melt it in the microwave and then pour it into my lube sizer, I can't see why it wouldn't work as a pan lube.
Or I can send you some beeswax
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by pomemax » 22 Dec 2016, 8:54 pm

Surfboard shop for wax
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by juststarting » 23 Dec 2016, 12:52 am

Tripod, thank you! I ordered some from eBay earlier today. Also, just want to learn to do these things myself, but REALLY thank you for the offer!
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by coroboreeboy » 23 Dec 2016, 6:49 am

I got beeswax from the local arts and crafts shop. Cost me $7 for 500gm.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by Noisydad » 23 Dec 2016, 7:42 am

Hunt around on eBay in candle making supplies for beeswax , Some time ago I got 2 kg for $14. It was recycled stumps of candles from a Greek Orthodox Church.
There's still a few of Wile. E Coyote's ideas that I haven't tried yet.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by Gaz52 » 06 Jan 2017, 8:41 am

I have bee hives but I tumble lube my .310 , 7.62x39 & .303 Brit cast bullets with Lee liquid alox. Set them to dry base down on a sheet of glad wrap or grease proof paper. If I fit gas checks I usually tumble lube a second time after firing the checks. A ziplock plastic bag works fine to tumble lube.
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Re: Lubricant for cast bullets

Post by Medic » 06 Jan 2017, 4:57 pm

I powder coat, but I have heard liquid alox and floor wax 50/50 is smokeless and very good. This could be a good bit of fun experimenting. You could probably switch alox to something else like bees or paste wax. Also you can use epoxy paints like the dude on YouTube it is known to work well, I fins PC is the easiest way to do lots of bullets right here, right now and Dont smoke at all, available in many colours!
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