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November 18, 2007, 04:11 PM
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#1 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: October 14, 2006
Location: fairbanks, alaska
Posts: 127
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Lubricating bullets?
I've been buying .38 wadcutters that have a couple of grooves around the circumference filled with lubrication. Alas, I'm suddenly having trouble finding bullets in Fairbanks - the store I used closed, and there isn't another good choice. Looking on Midway USA, I see wadcutters with no groove for lubrication. Not sure whether this is necessary or not. Must bullets be lubricated? (Rainier LeadSafe Bullets 38 Caliber (357 Diameter) 148 Grain Plated Double-Ended Wadcutter Box of 1000) Would I somehow lubricate a bullet with no lubrication in the groove or no groove to fill? Also, anyone know a supplier that will ship bullets inexpensively to Alaska?! Shipping is gonna hurt!
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November 18, 2007, 05:37 PM
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#2 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: March 9, 2006
Location: Idaho
Posts: 191
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lead only
Lubrication is only needed for lead bullets as far as I know, if they are jacketed then you don't need it
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November 18, 2007, 05:52 PM
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#3 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: June 10, 2004
Location: Tioga co. PA
Posts: 2,647
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lube is used primarily to size the bullets. I have shot many lead bullets without lube in my 45ACP and 38 SPL
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November 18, 2007, 05:57 PM
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#4 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: September 8, 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 16,378
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Lead bullets need to be lubricated. Knurling is said to hold and distribute lube better than conventional grooves.
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November 18, 2007, 06:33 PM
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#5 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: June 4, 2007
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 1,943
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Different makers use different lubes. Some use a film lube like Speer and RP, and some use a mica type lube like Hornady. Just how many wadcutters do you need? I've got a bunch cast and lubed. How about a nickle a pop. I can ship them in a flat rate box with delivery conf. for $9.60. PM me if interested. CB.
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November 18, 2007, 07:42 PM
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#6 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: January 24, 2006
Posts: 596
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The plated bullets do not need to be lubed, only lead bullets need to be lubed to help cut down on the leading in your barrel.
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November 18, 2007, 11:48 PM
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#7 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: October 14, 2006
Location: fairbanks, alaska
Posts: 127
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Thanks for all the help! I think I understand better now - the lube keeps bare lead from rubbing off inside the barrel but it's not needed for plated/jacketed bullets. I finally ordered a lubed bullet anyway (sorry CB, sent the order before I found your post).
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November 19, 2007, 05:37 PM
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#8 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: December 27, 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,475
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mutski
Next time your buying lead bullets, or want to ask a very knowledgable bullet maker AND shooter a question, check Mike out. Great prices and service!
www.mastercast.com |
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November 19, 2007, 05:40 PM
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#9 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: December 27, 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,475
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mutski
Sorry, forgot something in my link suggestion.
www.mastercastbullets.com As you know, leave something out, and it "ain't gonna work"! 
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November 21, 2007, 03:48 AM
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#10 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: October 14, 2006
Location: fairbanks, alaska
Posts: 127
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Thanks Shooting Nut! Mastercast looks tempting!
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November 21, 2007, 04:02 PM
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#11 |
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Staff
Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,738
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I don't trust copper plating to be thick enough to replace lubrication completely. H&N Hi Speed match bullets have a plastic lubricating film over their copper plating. Also notice that some copper plated bullets have the conventional lube grooves in them and that these are filled. If I had unlubricated plated bullets, I would tumble them in some Lee Liquid Alox lube or the Rooster liquid lube and let it dry before loading them.
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