lee molds:tumble lube or not?

ar15man2009 · May 14, 2009, 10:00 PM

I recently decided to take up boolit casting and have decided to go with lee 6 cavity molds. The problem I am running into is whether I should go with a tumble lube mold or a normal one. I plan on casting a lot. It seems like the tumble lube may be less accurate or reliable in exchange for being easier to lubricate,but I dont know.Any help and opinions will be greatly appreciated. thanks

rwilson452 · May 14, 2009, 10:09 PM

I can't vouch for anyone else. I have found the Lee TL452-200-SWC as accurate as anything else I have put down the tube in my Colt 1991A1.

I cut my Lee liquid ALOX 50/50 with mineral spirits.

Ruger4570 · May 14, 2009, 10:41 PM

Most of my molds are for using a lubrisizor, which I do. I also now lube them with Lees liquid alox too. Even the hotest loads in my 45-70 leave no trace of lead. I am happy with it and find no real reason to knock the stuff.

jdscholer · May 14, 2009, 11:41 PM

I recently purchased the 158 gr. swc tumble-lube mold in 357, and have been shooting the heck out of my new bullets.

I'm using straight wheel weights, and Allox lube. The bullets actually mic out at .361 (average) and weigh 161 grains. I'm loading them in 38 spec. cases, and shooting them in my 686.

On paper they group 3" from a rest at 25 yds. as compared to 1 1/2" with Berrys plated bullets. I'm happy with that as they are essentially free to me if I overlook the time it takes to make them. They also may be more accurate if I were to load them in 357 cases. I just haven't done it yet.

My mold is a two holer, and I'll probably get another so I can alternate when casting. I've got no experience with the six cavity models.

Overall I say go for it. I'm liking the "size em through the barrel" method. jd

snuffy · May 15, 2009, 01:22 AM

You don't need a tumble lube boolit to use the lee liquid alox. It works just fine with the "normal" boolits. So it's up to you which style/weight you want.

The tumble lube boolits are just as accurate as the "normal" boolits. Some even find they're MORE accurate. Load development is the name of the game, as always.

darkgael · May 15, 2009, 04:44 AM

Quote:

I have found the Lee TL452-200-SWC as accurate as anything else I have put down the tube in my Colt 1991A1.

+1
Pete

Stumper · May 15, 2009, 10:13 AM

Snuffy is correct. LLA does work tumbled onto any style of boolit. The TL designs with the micro lube grooves work very well.

May 14, 2009, 10:00 PM	#1
ar15man2009 Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Harlan County,Kentucky Posts: 81	lee molds:tumble lube or not? I recently decided to take up boolit casting and have decided to go with lee 6 cavity molds. The problem I am running into is whether I should go with a tumble lube mold or a normal one. I plan on casting a lot. It seems like the tumble lube may be less accurate or reliable in exchange for being easier to lubricate,but I dont know.Any help and opinions will be greatly appreciated. thanks

May 14, 2009, 10:09 PM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	I can't vouch for anyone else. I have found the Lee TL452-200-SWC as accurate as anything else I have put down the tube in my Colt 1991A1. I cut my Lee liquid ALOX 50/50 with mineral spirits. __________________ USNRET '61-'81

May 14, 2009, 11:41 PM	#4
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	I recently purchased the 158 gr. swc tumble-lube mold in 357, and have been shooting the heck out of my new bullets. I'm using straight wheel weights, and Allox lube. The bullets actually mic out at .361 (average) and weigh 161 grains. I'm loading them in 38 spec. cases, and shooting them in my 686. On paper they group 3" from a rest at 25 yds. as compared to 1 1/2" with Berrys plated bullets. I'm happy with that as they are essentially free to me if I overlook the time it takes to make them. They also may be more accurate if I were to load them in 357 cases. I just haven't done it yet. My mold is a two holer, and I'll probably get another so I can alternate when casting. I've got no experience with the six cavity models. Overall I say go for it. I'm liking the "size em through the barrel" method. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

May 15, 2009, 01:22 AM	#5
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	You don't need a tumble lube boolit to use the lee liquid alox. It works just fine with the "normal" boolits. So it's up to you which style/weight you want. The tumble lube boolits are just as accurate as the "normal" boolits. Some even find they're MORE accurate. Load development is the name of the game, as always. __________________ 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?

May 15, 2009, 10:13 AM	#7
Stumper Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 438	Snuffy is correct. LLA does work tumbled onto any style of boolit. The TL designs with the micro lube grooves work very well. __________________ "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt "If only God has magic, how does Santa get down the chimney?" Natalie Peters age 4

May 14, 2009, 10:41 PM	#3
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Most of my molds are for using a lubrisizor, which I do. I also now lube them with Lees liquid alox too. Even the hotest loads in my 45-70 leave no trace of lead. I am happy with it and find no real reason to knock the stuff.