federal champion, and lubrication

Bezoar · May 21, 2014, 11:31 PM

ive purchased a partial case of federal champion 38 special 158 grain lrn. The wierd thing is 95 percent of the rounds ive inspected all have something on them, it feels like a violin bow that has been overly rosined.

is that merely bullet lube or something special being put on the cases?

Misssissippi Dave · May 26, 2014, 07:01 AM

I don't recall ever finding something like that on factory ammo. I could be wrong since it has been a while since I purchased any factory ammo in that caliber. All I have left now is Winchester on the shelf. What type of bullet are they loaded with?

**Unclenick** · May 26, 2014, 04:50 PM

Might be bullet lube if the case got hot in transit and the lube flowed. Could have been a packaging machine problem. I would wipe off the excess and see how they shoot. Odorless mineral spirits, just enough to dampen the rag, may help.

Bezoar · May 26, 2014, 08:49 PM

standard pressure 38 special, 158 grain lead round nose. in the boxes its a little varied on the amount of residue on the cases. doesnt seem an issue.

after all i have a box of winchester 130 grain fmj in 38 special that have a lot of bulge around the bullets.

**Unclenick** · May 26, 2014, 09:08 PM

By bulge, do you mean the mirroring of the bullet position under the brass? If that's what you mean, how apparent that is usually just depends on the original size the brass was given by the forming machines. There should normally be at least a little, as, otherwise, the brass probably has no real grip on the bullet other than at the crimp (though I have seen some like that). As long as the OD of the brass over the bullet doesn't exceed 0.379" and the brass below its base isn't narrower than 0.373", it's still observing SAAMI standards.

The wax, BTW, won't likely hurt anything as long as the rounds fit the chambers. The only functional issue would be if it thickens the cartridge enough to pose a problem using a speed loader. It will also tend to pick up grit if you eject your cases onto a dirty surface, meaning you'd want to clean them afterward to protect your dies.

Slamfire · May 28, 2014, 12:58 PM

Impossible to say without examining the rounds. I am of the opinion that cases are tumbled in a media that has wax. The wax keeps the cases shiny and that makes the seller happy as humans like shiny things. Maybe the wax is breaking down.

May 21, 2014, 11:31 PM	#1
Bezoar Junior member Join Date: October 19, 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 578	federal champion, and lubrication ive purchased a partial case of federal champion 38 special 158 grain lrn. The wierd thing is 95 percent of the rounds ive inspected all have something on them, it feels like a violin bow that has been overly rosined. is that merely bullet lube or something special being put on the cases?

May 26, 2014, 04:50 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	Might be bullet lube if the case got hot in transit and the lube flowed. Could have been a packaging machine problem. I would wipe off the excess and see how they shoot. Odorless mineral spirits, just enough to dampen the rag, may help. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

May 26, 2014, 09:08 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	By bulge, do you mean the mirroring of the bullet position under the brass? If that's what you mean, how apparent that is usually just depends on the original size the brass was given by the forming machines. There should normally be at least a little, as, otherwise, the brass probably has no real grip on the bullet other than at the crimp (though I have seen some like that). As long as the OD of the brass over the bullet doesn't exceed 0.379" and the brass below its base isn't narrower than 0.373", it's still observing SAAMI standards. The wax, BTW, won't likely hurt anything as long as the rounds fit the chambers. The only functional issue would be if it thickens the cartridge enough to pose a problem using a speed loader. It will also tend to pick up grit if you eject your cases onto a dirty surface, meaning you'd want to clean them afterward to protect your dies. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; May 27, 2014 at 07:07 AM.

May 28, 2014, 12:58 PM	#6
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Impossible to say without examining the rounds. I am of the opinion that cases are tumbled in a media that has wax. The wax keeps the cases shiny and that makes the seller happy as humans like shiny things. Maybe the wax is breaking down. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

May 26, 2014, 07:01 AM	#2
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	I don't recall ever finding something like that on factory ammo. I could be wrong since it has been a while since I purchased any factory ammo in that caliber. All I have left now is Winchester on the shelf. What type of bullet are they loaded with?

May 26, 2014, 08:49 PM	#4
Bezoar Junior member Join Date: October 19, 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 578	standard pressure 38 special, 158 grain lead round nose. in the boxes its a little varied on the amount of residue on the cases. doesnt seem an issue. after all i have a box of winchester 130 grain fmj in 38 special that have a lot of bulge around the bullets.