To Tumble or Not to Tumble???

WVBassFan · July 20, 2014, 06:22 AM

I've been pan-lubing my bullets for some time now and it's working really well but it takes entirely too much time... I've changed methods a few times to reduce some time but it still is way too slow and messy...I am considering tumble lube on my new 9mm setup... I'm purchasing another 9mm mold so I need to make this decision now... any suggestions ? comments? past experiences that might help...I'll be shooting through a M&P Pro 5" 9mm... 124 grain (if thats the mold I buy) I feel I could shoot alot more rounds if I tumble lube but worry about the barrel ...

mikld · July 20, 2014, 10:43 AM

Well, kinda a side thought, but I have tumble lubed standard lube groove bullets successfully. So, I'd say you don't have to use a T/L design bullet to tumble lube, so your choice of molds is wide open. My 9mm gets a Lee 125 gr., RNFP and I've tumble lubed, pan lubed, and PC coated this bullet and size it for my 9mm, .38 Specials, and .357 Magnum.

I really like 45-45-10 as a tumble and dip lube. It works and even though it's "mess" quality is comparable to alox, it smells better, and just a little bit is all that's needed.

Great folks to deal with, good shipping and excellent prices http://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?m...products_id=31

oldpapps · July 20, 2014, 12:56 PM

WVBassFan,

If 'it' ain't broke, don't be fix'en 'it'.

Sounds like not broken but slow is the driving point.
If the bullet 'fits' properly, speeds aren't too high and a suitable lube is used, leading will not be a problem. Wear/damage to the bore with lead bullets is minimal. I would say that vigorous cleaning with a brush (or ChoreBoy) causes way more damage.

We come back to time utilization and larger production.
Sizing comes in to play with this in most situations. A 'luber/sizer' tool is fast(er) as it does two step at the same time but has a cost factor. Pan lubing is as you have stated on the slower end and sizing time adds more. The spray/tumble process is faster than pan but sizing still may be needed.
What to do? That is up to you. But, think about 'powder coating' as an option.
What do I do? I'm old and don't like to stand for very long. I buy my pistol bullets (.40s, .45s and most .44s). Yet I do 'powder coat' a small number of .44s (and several cast rifle bullets).

If 'tumble' lubing does what you want with the needed volume, go for it.

Enjoy,

OSOK

edit to correct word: that to than.

Wreck-n-Crew · July 20, 2014, 01:02 PM

I would suggest powder coating.

WVBassFan · July 21, 2014, 05:14 AM

I already size my cast bullets anyway... after casting I lube them...size them...and load them... the panlube process is slow and I will probably continue that for my .45 ACP loads but thinking I will be shooting at a much higher volume with my 9mm so looking for a more efficient and less expensive way... I see that many people on the internet ( if it's on the internet it must be true) tumble lube with success so I think I'm going to give it a try...

chris in va · July 21, 2014, 10:16 AM

I use Johnson Paste wax, Lee ALOX and a bit of mineral spirits. Under a fan on a baking sheet it dries in a couple hours. Don't use too much!

BTW you'll want to cast, size and lube...in that order.

Freeloader Reloader · July 24, 2014, 10:29 AM

I always tumble lube my cast bullets, whether they are of the TL design or not. I find it makes no real difference. After casting, I tumble lube, then resize, then lightly tumble lube again. I set them on a piece of wax paper to air-dry overnight and then put them in a mason jar until I am ready to load them. One other step I take is to test the hardness with a Lee Hardness Testing kit. I then write all the hardness info down on a label on top of the jar, roll up a piece of tape and stick the bullet I used for the test right on top of the jar. Between that and the load data I keep track of in a program on my PC, I have all the info I need readily at hand. Not only about cast bullets but about my load as well. Takes a little time but what else do I have to do?

Sergeant · July 27, 2014, 02:43 AM

I have not experienced any difference between tumble lubing cast bullets whither there designed for TL or not. Does not take to long to TL and just lay them hap hazard on wax paper for drying. It is a bit messy though. I use to set them right side up, but when your doing a large run, setting every one up take a whole lot of extra time. So I tried just laying them out how they fell and it does not seem to effect performance at all.

LE-28 · July 27, 2014, 07:18 AM

I have a question, if the bullets are no more than .002" over bore size, is it necessary to resize bullets that come from a tumble lube mold?

oldpapps · July 27, 2014, 12:58 PM

Necessary, no desirable, yes. Consistency is the end results.

I have cast, hand rubbed lube into the grease groves and shot way too many .38s and 9MMs to ever claim sizing is 'necessary'. But that was then and this is now. I have improved my ways in the last 45 years. I haven't shot a .38 in something around 25 years. I guess I could hand rub 44s

Enjoy,

OSOK

Sergeant · July 29, 2014, 03:13 AM

I concur. For consistency, it's best to resize. Before I had resizing dies I measured my cast bullets and tossed rejects back into the melting pot.

Mike / Tx · July 30, 2014, 04:29 AM

I use the 45/45/10 lube for tumble lubing about 85% of all my cast bullets. Originally I used my own blend, which is posted up on Castboolits in the lube section, but when that ran low I ordered a jug from White Label. I ave noted no difference using it over my own blend, other than it was MUCH easier to buy than to make.

I have run it in plenty of load ranging form the slower 700'ish fps ones up into the full magnum 1300+ range with no issues what so ever. The key is fit first then lube.

One thing that REALLY helps out with the liquid Alox type lubes, is to use a hair drier to warm up your bullets really good before applying the 45/45/10 lube. This will do two things, first it will thin out the lube letting it go further, and second it will allow it to dry in about 5-10 minutes rather than an hour or so.

I use a vacuum seal bag to tumble mine in. It is strong enough to hold up to the heat from the hair drier and has held up real well to the Alox and mineral spirits as well. I usually do anywhere from 50-100 at a time. Just put the bullets in, blow the hot air into the bag until they feel good and warm, apply a little lube and gently roll them around until they all look coated. Then pour them out on a pan with wax paper or onto a paper plate to dry, while I setup the sizer.

July 20, 2014, 06:22 AM	#1
WVBassFan Member Join Date: October 19, 2013 Posts: 25	To Tumble or Not to Tumble??? I've been pan-lubing my bullets for some time now and it's working really well but it takes entirely too much time... I've changed methods a few times to reduce some time but it still is way too slow and messy...I am considering tumble lube on my new 9mm setup... I'm purchasing another 9mm mold so I need to make this decision now... any suggestions ? comments? past experiences that might help...I'll be shooting through a M&P Pro 5" 9mm... 124 grain (if thats the mold I buy) I feel I could shoot alot more rounds if I tumble lube but worry about the barrel ... __________________ "Guns are a lot like parachutes ~ If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again"

July 20, 2014, 10:43 AM	#2
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Well, kinda a side thought, but I have tumble lubed standard lube groove bullets successfully. So, I'd say you don't have to use a T/L design bullet to tumble lube, so your choice of molds is wide open. My 9mm gets a Lee 125 gr., RNFP and I've tumble lubed, pan lubed, and PC coated this bullet and size it for my 9mm, .38 Specials, and .357 Magnum. I really like 45-45-10 as a tumble and dip lube. It works and even though it's "mess" quality is comparable to alox, it smells better, and just a little bit is all that's needed. Great folks to deal with, good shipping and excellent prices http://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?m...products_id=31 __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

July 20, 2014, 12:56 PM	#3
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	WVBassFan, If 'it' ain't broke, don't be fix'en 'it'. Sounds like not broken but slow is the driving point. If the bullet 'fits' properly, speeds aren't too high and a suitable lube is used, leading will not be a problem. Wear/damage to the bore with lead bullets is minimal. I would say that vigorous cleaning with a brush (or ChoreBoy) causes way more damage. We come back to time utilization and larger production. Sizing comes in to play with this in most situations. A 'luber/sizer' tool is fast(er) as it does two step at the same time but has a cost factor. Pan lubing is as you have stated on the slower end and sizing time adds more. The spray/tumble process is faster than pan but sizing still may be needed. What to do? That is up to you. But, think about 'powder coating' as an option. What do I do? I'm old and don't like to stand for very long. I buy my pistol bullets (.40s, .45s and most .44s). Yet I do 'powder coat' a small number of .44s (and several cast rifle bullets). If 'tumble' lubing does what you want with the needed volume, go for it. Enjoy, OSOK edit to correct word: that to than. Last edited by oldpapps; July 21, 2014 at 08:41 AM.

July 20, 2014, 01:02 PM	#4
Wreck-n-Crew Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,820	I would suggest powder coating. __________________ If you ever have to use a firearm, *you don't get to pick the scenario!*

July 21, 2014, 05:14 AM	#5
WVBassFan Member Join Date: October 19, 2013 Posts: 25	I already size my cast bullets anyway... after casting I lube them...size them...and load them... the panlube process is slow and I will probably continue that for my .45 ACP loads but thinking I will be shooting at a much higher volume with my 9mm so looking for a more efficient and less expensive way... I see that many people on the internet ( if it's on the internet it must be true) tumble lube with success so I think I'm going to give it a try... __________________ "Guns are a lot like parachutes ~ If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again"

July 21, 2014, 10:16 AM	#6
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I use Johnson Paste wax, Lee ALOX and a bit of mineral spirits. Under a fan on a baking sheet it dries in a couple hours. Don't use too much! BTW you'll want to cast, size and lube...in that order.

July 24, 2014, 10:29 AM	#7
Freeloader Reloader Member Join Date: May 12, 2014 Location: New Orleans, LA area Posts: 54	Tumble Lube I always tumble lube my cast bullets, whether they are of the TL design or not. I find it makes no real difference. After casting, I tumble lube, then resize, then lightly tumble lube again. I set them on a piece of wax paper to air-dry overnight and then put them in a mason jar until I am ready to load them. One other step I take is to test the hardness with a Lee Hardness Testing kit. I then write all the hardness info down on a label on top of the jar, roll up a piece of tape and stick the bullet I used for the test right on top of the jar. Between that and the load data I keep track of in a program on my PC, I have all the info I need readily at hand. Not only about cast bullets but about my load as well. Takes a little time but what else do I have to do? __________________ Rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

July 27, 2014, 02:43 AM	#8
Sergeant Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2011 Posts: 124	Tumble Lube Drying I have not experienced any difference between tumble lubing cast bullets whither there designed for TL or not. Does not take to long to TL and just lay them hap hazard on wax paper for drying. It is a bit messy though. I use to set them right side up, but when your doing a large run, setting every one up take a whole lot of extra time. So I tried just laying them out how they fell and it does not seem to effect performance at all.

July 27, 2014, 07:18 AM	#9
LE-28 Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 759	I have a question, if the bullets are no more than .002" over bore size, is it necessary to resize bullets that come from a tumble lube mold?

July 27, 2014, 12:58 PM	#10
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	Necessary, no desirable, yes. Consistency is the end results. I have cast, hand rubbed lube into the grease groves and shot way too many .38s and 9MMs to ever claim sizing is 'necessary'. But that was then and this is now. I have improved my ways in the last 45 years. I haven't shot a .38 in something around 25 years. I guess I could hand rub 44s Enjoy, OSOK

July 29, 2014, 03:13 AM	#11
Sergeant Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2011 Posts: 124	I concur. For consistency, it's best to resize. Before I had resizing dies I measured my cast bullets and tossed rejects back into the melting pot.

July 30, 2014, 04:29 AM	#12
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	I use the 45/45/10 lube for tumble lubing about 85% of all my cast bullets. Originally I used my own blend, which is posted up on Castboolits in the lube section, but when that ran low I ordered a jug from White Label. I ave noted no difference using it over my own blend, other than it was MUCH easier to buy than to make. I have run it in plenty of load ranging form the slower 700'ish fps ones up into the full magnum 1300+ range with no issues what so ever. The key is fit first then lube. One thing that REALLY helps out with the liquid Alox type lubes, is to use a hair drier to warm up your bullets really good before applying the 45/45/10 lube. This will do two things, first it will thin out the lube letting it go further, and second it will allow it to dry in about 5-10 minutes rather than an hour or so. I use a vacuum seal bag to tumble mine in. It is strong enough to hold up to the heat from the hair drier and has held up real well to the Alox and mineral spirits as well. I usually do anywhere from 50-100 at a time. Just put the bullets in, blow the hot air into the bag until they feel good and warm, apply a little lube and gently roll them around until they all look coated. Then pour them out on a pan with wax paper or onto a paper plate to dry, while I setup the sizer. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX