Found an old batch of cast bullets with brittle lube in the grooves

deepcore · July 24, 2010, 11:54 PM

Hi
I was rooting around my garage and found a box of .45 200 gr SWC I must've casted years ago. The lube in the grooves has gone dry and brittle (cracked mostly, missing small chunks is some).
I'm assuming I have to relube the bunch. Is there an easy way to clean out the old lube? I'm hoping I don't have to melt and recast the box.
Thanks

Sport45 · July 25, 2010, 12:14 AM

I don't know what kind of lube you have, but you might be able to rig a double boiler and melt it out of the grooves. If it's wax it should float to the top where you could skim it off.

(I'd probably just shoot them if they're still clean.)

Lemmon · July 25, 2010, 01:13 AM

I do not cast bullets myself but you may try scraping the old lube off and using Lee Alox Lube. I am sure others may have more details they can share. Good luck.... Lemmon

zippy13 · July 25, 2010, 01:31 AM

If the lube is really dry and flaky, you might try a case tumbler with some old media.

T. O'Heir · July 25, 2010, 03:56 AM

"...easy way to clean out the old lube..." Apply your index finger to 'em. Mind you, cracked and missing wee bits isn't a big deal. I've used cast bullets just like that with no fuss.

snuffy · July 25, 2010, 10:15 AM

Sport 45 has the right method. But no need for a double boiler, just put the bullets in a pan that you're NEVER going to use for food again. Put in plenty of water to completely submerge them, then bring the water to a boil. The lube will melt and float to the surface. Let the whole shebang cool, the lube can then be removed as a cake.

Now, you have bare bullets. Get a bottle of Lee Liquid Alox,(LLA). Just tumble them in a plastic bowl, then lay them on some wax paper or cardboard. Let dry for 24 hours, then they're ready to load.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=466811

deepcore · July 25, 2010, 11:51 AM

Thanks guys!

DiscoRacing · July 25, 2010, 11:54 AM

A+ for Snuffy

July 24, 2010, 11:54 PM	#1
deepcore Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2010 Posts: 364	Found an old batch of cast bullets with brittle lube in the grooves Hi I was rooting around my garage and found a box of .45 200 gr SWC I must've casted years ago. The lube in the grooves has gone dry and brittle (cracked mostly, missing small chunks is some). I'm assuming I have to relube the bunch. Is there an easy way to clean out the old lube? I'm hoping I don't have to melt and recast the box. Thanks

July 25, 2010, 12:14 AM	#2
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	I don't know what kind of lube you have, but you might be able to rig a double boiler and melt it out of the grooves. If it's wax it should float to the top where you could skim it off. (I'd probably just shoot them if they're still clean.) __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

July 25, 2010, 03:56 AM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...easy way to clean out the old lube..." Apply your index finger to 'em. Mind you, cracked and missing wee bits isn't a big deal. I've used cast bullets just like that with no fuss. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

July 25, 2010, 10:15 AM	#6
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	Sport 45 has the right method. But no need for a double boiler, just put the bullets in a pan that you're NEVER going to use for food again. Put in plenty of water to completely submerge them, then bring the water to a boil. The lube will melt and float to the surface. Let the whole shebang cool, the lube can then be removed as a cake. Now, you have bare bullets. Get a bottle of Lee Liquid Alox,(LLA). Just tumble them in a plastic bowl, then lay them on some wax paper or cardboard. Let dry for 24 hours, then they're ready to load. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=466811 __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

July 25, 2010, 11:54 AM	#8
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	A+ for Snuffy __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

July 25, 2010, 01:13 AM	#3
Lemmon Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2009 Location: Rural South Carolina Posts: 445	I do not cast bullets myself but you may try scraping the old lube off and using Lee Alox Lube. I am sure others may have more details they can share. Good luck.... Lemmon

July 25, 2010, 01:31 AM	#4
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	If the lube is really dry and flaky, you might try a case tumbler with some old media.

July 25, 2010, 11:51 AM	#7
deepcore Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2010 Posts: 364	Thanks guys!

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