50/50 Lube for smokeless 38 Spl.

TNFrank · February 3, 2008, 04:02 PM

I just wonder if anyone has ever used 50/50 Beeswax/Crisco lube for cast bullets over smokeless powder in 38 Spl. ? I've got a ton of the stuff left over from a 45/70 Sharps that I was loading with cast bullets over black powder and would like to use it up instead of having to buy something else to lube my cast 38 spl. bullets with. I'm pretty sure it should work since the 38 is a somewhat "low pressure" ctg. and I'll not be pushing em' any faster then 850 to 900 fps. but I just thought I'd ask to see if it's been done before and how it turned out. Anyway, thanks and talk to ya'll later.

C17A · February 3, 2008, 07:12 PM

Every type of bullet lube concoction has been tried over the years. One way to find out, load up some and look for the "lube star" at the end of the barrel, showing that at least there's enough lube to travel the length of the barrel. If your mixture is going to lead, it'll likely lead near the forcing cone at 38 Special velocities. Another issue is accuracy. A given bullet lube might not lead the barrel, but accuracy might be non-existent. You have to try it out.

The gold standard for cast bullet loads such as the 38 Special is 50/50 Alox/Beeswax. For the tried-and-true target load of 148 WC with 2.8 grains of Bullseye, you only need to lube one groove with the 50/50 Alox. Look at the Lyman 358091 design, it has three lube grooves plus a crimping groove. You only need lube the bottom groove for best accuracy with no leading.

TNFrank · February 3, 2008, 09:20 PM

Guess I'll just have to give it a try and see what happens. Worse case I'll have a leaded gun to clean and have to send off for some differnt lube. Thanks for the reply.

AZ Pete · February 3, 2008, 10:52 PM

The lube will work just fine in a 38 spl. I have used it in .38, .44 spl, and .45 colt with very satisfactory results.

TNFrank · February 4, 2008, 09:55 AM

So as long as we're talking low pressure loads(i.e. 38 Spl, 44 Spl, ect.) and less then 1000 fps or so it'll be ok. That IS great news becaue I've got pounds of the stuff in the refridgeator just going to waste. Now I can cast some 38's and use it up.

TNFrank · February 8, 2008, 04:53 PM

Well, I lubed up a few using the 50/50 and they're kind of messy but look like they'll work ok. On a different note, I did find a pan of Alox lube in the fridge too so I'll use it next go until it's gone.

kgpcr · February 9, 2008, 08:55 AM

50/50 beeswax and alox is about the best out there for shooting higher velocity loads. With a good hard bullet you can push them hard and still get good accuracy. I used to shoot .357 158grn swc bullets full throttle with them and never had a problem with leading but i had a very hard bullet.

February 3, 2008, 04:02 PM	#1
TNFrank Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2007 Location: Crossville, TN., U.S.A. Posts: 490	50/50 Lube for smokeless 38 Spl. I just wonder if anyone has ever used 50/50 Beeswax/Crisco lube for cast bullets over smokeless powder in 38 Spl. ? I've got a ton of the stuff left over from a 45/70 Sharps that I was loading with cast bullets over black powder and would like to use it up instead of having to buy something else to lube my cast 38 spl. bullets with. I'm pretty sure it should work since the 38 is a somewhat "low pressure" ctg. and I'll not be pushing em' any faster then 850 to 900 fps. but I just thought I'd ask to see if it's been done before and how it turned out. Anyway, thanks and talk to ya'll later.

February 9, 2008, 08:55 AM	#7
kgpcr Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2005 Posts: 955	50/50 beeswax and alox is about the best out there for shooting higher velocity loads. With a good hard bullet you can push them hard and still get good accuracy. I used to shoot .357 158grn swc bullets full throttle with them and never had a problem with leading but i had a very hard bullet. __________________ Colt King Cobra .357 Colt Anaconda .44mag Springfield Armory .45 Double stack Loaded XD40 service XD45 Taurus 617 .357mag Smith M&P 40

February 3, 2008, 07:12 PM	#2
C17A Member Join Date: November 23, 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 37	Every type of bullet lube concoction has been tried over the years. One way to find out, load up some and look for the "lube star" at the end of the barrel, showing that at least there's enough lube to travel the length of the barrel. If your mixture is going to lead, it'll likely lead near the forcing cone at 38 Special velocities. Another issue is accuracy. A given bullet lube might not lead the barrel, but accuracy might be non-existent. You have to try it out. The gold standard for cast bullet loads such as the 38 Special is 50/50 Alox/Beeswax. For the tried-and-true target load of 148 WC with 2.8 grains of Bullseye, you only need to lube one groove with the 50/50 Alox. Look at the Lyman 358091 design, it has three lube grooves plus a crimping groove. You only need lube the bottom groove for best accuracy with no leading.

February 3, 2008, 09:20 PM	#3
TNFrank Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2007 Location: Crossville, TN., U.S.A. Posts: 490	Guess I'll just have to give it a try and see what happens. Worse case I'll have a leaded gun to clean and have to send off for some differnt lube. Thanks for the reply.

February 3, 2008, 10:52 PM	#4
AZ Pete Junior Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Posts: 14	The lube will work just fine in a 38 spl. I have used it in .38, .44 spl, and .45 colt with very satisfactory results.

February 4, 2008, 09:55 AM	#5
TNFrank Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2007 Location: Crossville, TN., U.S.A. Posts: 490	So as long as we're talking low pressure loads(i.e. 38 Spl, 44 Spl, ect.) and less then 1000 fps or so it'll be ok. That IS great news becaue I've got pounds of the stuff in the refridgeator just going to waste. Now I can cast some 38's and use it up.

February 8, 2008, 04:53 PM	#6
TNFrank Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2007 Location: Crossville, TN., U.S.A. Posts: 490	Well, I lubed up a few using the 50/50 and they're kind of messy but look like they'll work ok. On a different note, I did find a pan of Alox lube in the fridge too so I'll use it next go until it's gone.