Question for bullet casters.

griz · August 17, 2002, 08:01 PM

Which bullet lube smokes the least but still prevents leading?

I am shooting store bought bullets in my 45 and on an indoor range it gets cloudy fast. I'm hoping to cast my on and I'm looking for less smoke.

Thanks, griz

David Wile · August 17, 2002, 08:57 PM

Hey Griz,

I have an indoor range in my basement, and I shoot a lot of bullets that I personally cast, size, and lube. In my experience, your choice of powder and the amount of powder have far more to do with smoking up the indoor range than cast bullet lube. I know that in my range, we can shoot .22 ammunition all night with very little smoke. As soon as we start shooting centerfire ammo, we have to start the ventilation fan. There is also a big difference between shooting a few grains of Bullseye in a .32 auto and shooting 14 grains of Bluedot in a 44 Mag. I use RCBS and Lyman bullet lubes for my cast bullets, but I personally do not think the lube has anything to do with producing enough smoke for one to notice. Powder is a different thing, however.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

jjmorgan64 · August 17, 2002, 09:16 PM

I really like the Lee liquiod alox lube, It doesn't give me much smoke.

cheygriz · August 18, 2002, 09:56 PM

Try the "Zambini" from Rooster Laboratories.

Pampers · August 19, 2002, 09:02 AM

sells a cast bullet coated with a polymer substance which contains moly. No leading and precious little smoke.

I disagree with David Wile. Identical loads using the SAME powder & charge will smoke MUCH less with a jacketed bullet than with a lubed cast bullet. It's the lube, NOT the powder!

And by-the-way, there is a way to reduce the smoke from the lube of any cast bullet. That is an under bullet wad. I personally prefer P-Wads (Polypropolene) from NECO, aqnd have also had success with Wonder Wads' heavy wool underbullet wads. Felt, cardboard and plastic wads cut from milk jugs will also work.

Watchman · August 19, 2002, 11:07 PM

I use a "hot" lube.

Thompson's "Blue Angle" available from Midway .

You gotta have a heater plate to put your sizer on for it too work. I have found it to be better and more accurate than anything else on my cast bullets.

One advantage is it stays on and dose'nt melt if it gets hot out.

The guns seem to lead up less than with a soft lube.

labgrade · August 20, 2002, 12:23 AM

Been using Lyman's Orange Magic lube - like it. .357s & .30 cal rifles. Need a warmer plate on your luber.

August 17, 2002, 08:01 PM	#1
griz Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,394	Question for bullet casters. Which bullet lube smokes the least but still prevents leading? I am shooting store bought bullets in my 45 and on an indoor range it gets cloudy fast. I'm hoping to cast my on and I'm looking for less smoke. Thanks, griz

August 17, 2002, 09:16 PM	#3
jjmorgan64 Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2001 Posts: 519	I really like the Lee liquiod alox lube, It doesn't give me much smoke. __________________ The Forty-Four spoke and it sent lead and smoke And seventeen inches of flame. -Marty Robbins JM

August 18, 2002, 09:56 PM	#4
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,232	Try the "Zambini" from Rooster Laboratories. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

August 19, 2002, 09:02 AM	#5
Pampers Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2000 Location: In the Lost State of Franklin Posts: 482	Precision Bullets sells a cast bullet coated with a polymer substance which contains moly. No leading and precious little smoke. I disagree with David Wile. Identical loads using the SAME powder & charge will smoke MUCH less with a jacketed bullet than with a lubed cast bullet. It's the lube, NOT the powder! And by-the-way, there is a way to reduce the smoke from the lube of any cast bullet. That is an under bullet wad. I personally prefer P-Wads (Polypropolene) from NECO, aqnd have also had success with Wonder Wads' heavy wool underbullet wads. Felt, cardboard and plastic wads cut from milk jugs will also work. __________________ Your Most Humble & Obedient Servant Fred J. Drumheller NRA Life NRA Golden Eagle

August 17, 2002, 08:57 PM	#2
David Wile Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2001 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 579	Hey Griz, I have an indoor range in my basement, and I shoot a lot of bullets that I personally cast, size, and lube. In my experience, your choice of powder and the amount of powder have far more to do with smoking up the indoor range than cast bullet lube. I know that in my range, we can shoot .22 ammunition all night with very little smoke. As soon as we start shooting centerfire ammo, we have to start the ventilation fan. There is also a big difference between shooting a few grains of Bullseye in a .32 auto and shooting 14 grains of Bluedot in a 44 Mag. I use RCBS and Lyman bullet lubes for my cast bullets, but I personally do not think the lube has anything to do with producing enough smoke for one to notice. Powder is a different thing, however. Best wishes, Dave Wile

August 19, 2002, 11:07 PM	#6
Watchman Junior member Join Date: August 9, 2000 Location: ARKANSAS Posts: 484	I use a "hot" lube. Thompson's "Blue Angle" available from Midway . You gotta have a heater plate to put your sizer on for it too work. I have found it to be better and more accurate than anything else on my cast bullets. One advantage is it stays on and dose'nt melt if it gets hot out. The guns seem to lead up less than with a soft lube.

August 20, 2002, 12:23 AM	#7
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Been using Lyman's Orange Magic lube - like it. .357s & .30 cal rifles. Need a warmer plate on your luber.