Lube or leading?

Swampman1 · April 10, 2014, 05:45 PM

OK guys, after about 30 rounds with the XDm-9 today, I noticed something I hadn't seen before...at least not to this extreme. My bullets normally drop out of the Lee mold at .357-.358, and I have experienced little to no leading. In the first and third photo looking down the front of the barrel, it appears to be little leading. But in the second photo, looking at the end of the barrel...is that leading or bullet lube? This appears only at the last 1/3 of the barrel. My understanding is leading show up like fibers? this looks more "caked" on. BTW it does come off very easily with Chore Boy copper.

Mike / Tx · April 10, 2014, 06:14 PM

Just looking at it from my phone, it looks like light leading. This is particular to your lube running out. Usually it shows up just like what you posted.

If you are only giving a light coat of alox you might try a double coat and see if that clears it up or at least lessons it. If you have some carnuba red you might try that. If it still shows try both.

This is real leading here,

Don't get discouraged those 9's are tricky to get cast to work just right.

mikld · April 10, 2014, 06:16 PM

Run a dry patch through the barrel. Lube will usually come out with a patch, and leading won't. Most leading I've encountered is a build up in the corners of the rifling and in the grooves. It isn't necessarily a thread like deposit, but sometimes comes out as thin strips/"hairs" when heavy.

Swampman1 · April 10, 2014, 08:06 PM

You guys are right. Mike I did go lighter than normal with the LLA this time around, as I was at the bottom of the bottle.

Mikld I verified the patch suggestion, and it is lead for sure.

Now that I'm almost out of lube, I know there are a lot of home brewers out there with tons of recipes. Any of them good enough to replace LLA without getting too involved?

Mike / Tx · April 11, 2014, 07:06 AM

Personally I would just go to White Label Lubes and order a jug of the premixed 45/45/10 and be done with it. In fact that is what I did.

You will save time and money and don't have to stink up the place cooking it. It should show up in about 3-4 days and will last a long time.

I shot some 357's with it and could hardly tell it. That said, there is a whole forum dedicated to lubes over on Castboolits. I'm sure you could find something you like there.

mikld · April 11, 2014, 11:07 AM

An easy lube to make at home is Darr lube. 1 part paraffin, 1 part beeswax, and some add a little STP (1 lb. Paraffin, 1 lb Beeswax, 1 tbsp STP). Warm just enough to mix well, don't overheat.

If you're loking for a tumble lube about the best you can find will be 45-45-10. Either home made or from White Label Lubes.

Lots of info on lubes; http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_5-0_BulletLubes.htm
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/foru...8-Boolit-Lube-!

April 10, 2014, 06:14 PM	#2
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	Just looking at it from my phone, it looks like light leading. This is particular to your lube running out. Usually it shows up just like what you posted. If you are only giving a light coat of alox you might try a double coat and see if that clears it up or at least lessons it. If you have some carnuba red you might try that. If it still shows try both. This is real leading here, Don't get discouraged those 9's are tricky to get cast to work just right. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

April 10, 2014, 06:16 PM	#3
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Run a dry patch through the barrel. Lube will usually come out with a patch, and leading won't. Most leading I've encountered is a build up in the corners of the rifling and in the grooves. It isn't necessarily a thread like deposit, but sometimes comes out as thin strips/"hairs" when heavy. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

April 11, 2014, 07:06 AM	#5
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	Personally I would just go to White Label Lubes and order a jug of the premixed 45/45/10 and be done with it. In fact that is what I did. You will save time and money and don't have to stink up the place cooking it. It should show up in about 3-4 days and will last a long time. I shot some 357's with it and could hardly tell it. That said, there is a whole forum dedicated to lubes over on Castboolits. I'm sure you could find something you like there. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

April 11, 2014, 11:07 AM	#6
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	An easy lube to make at home is Darr lube. 1 part paraffin, 1 part beeswax, and some add a little STP (1 lb. Paraffin, 1 lb Beeswax, 1 tbsp STP). Warm just enough to mix well, don't overheat. If you're loking for a tumble lube about the best you can find will be 45-45-10. Either home made or from White Label Lubes. Lots of info on lubes; http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_5-0_BulletLubes.htm http://castboolits.gunloads.com/foru...8-Boolit-Lube-! __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

April 10, 2014, 08:06 PM	#4
Swampman1 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 432	You guys are right. Mike I did go lighter than normal with the LLA this time around, as I was at the bottom of the bottle. Mikld I verified the patch suggestion, and it is lead for sure. Now that I'm almost out of lube, I know there are a lot of home brewers out there with tons of recipes. Any of them good enough to replace LLA without getting too involved?