Cast bullet lube contaminating powder?

[elktrout]

Anyone have experience with this problem? If ammo is exposed to high summer temps, will the lube contaminate the powder and possibly cause misfires?

How critical is the messy lube, anyway? What if the lube was removed and the bullet shot dry? Would it do anything other than add some extra lead to the bore?

 

[jcwit]

Have wondered about this myself, but never have had the problem in years of shooting both cast pistol and rifle ammo. Only precaution I take is not to let the ammo set in the sun. However is has set in the car for days at a time with no problem.

 

[RoostRider]

I have been reloading cast bullets for many years and have never had that problem, even with cartridges that sat around for years before being used.... although I cannot guarantee that they were ever exposed to 'extreme' temperatures, I never sheltered them from anything....

My understanding is that the gas check and accompanying lube help prevent 'blow by', which will compromise bullet speed and may affect accuracy as well if 'bypassed'.

Maybe someone here has done some testing in temps and can be of more help

 

[SciFiJim]

I've been worried about the same thing. I live in the California desert where summer temps can get 105+ in the shade. I've had ammo get too warm to comfortably handle while sitting in sun. For comforts sake, I now keep my ammo shaded while at the range

At the range this weekend while picking up brass, I picked up an unfired, reloaded .45acp lead swc out of the weeds. It has sat there for long enough to corrode the brass. This round had obviously been there since last summer or longer.

When I got home I pulled the bullet. The powder was still dry and flaky. The lube was still in the groove. I poured the powder onto cement and lit it with a match. It burned just like other powders have done.

I would surmise that the neck tension on the cast bullet creates enough of a seal that the lube will not leak into the powder and contaminate it even under extreme weather conditions.

 

[elktrout]

It sounds like my concerns may be unfounded. I have a two inch S&W Model 15 that I simply love to shoot. Can any of you recommend a source for me to buy quality cast bullets? I simply do not have time to cast them myself. Thanks.

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, no worries, and you do need the lube.

 

[243winxb]

50/50 bees wax/alox is good to 130 degrees. Some lube go even higher but need a heater on the lube/sizer. http://www.lsstuff.com/lube/

 

[sqlbullet]

I don't believe Lee Liquid Alox is particularly heat sensitive in that it is solvent based, but I am not sure what the melt point is once it set's up.

You can't forgo the lube. Some additional lead is a prize understatement. Lube does a number of things, not the least of which is contribute to sealing the bore via hydraulic action.

I have read that some people successfully moly-coat lead bullets rather than using a traditional lube. It is available at Midway and is apparently meant to be used in a vibratory tumbler.

 

[rcmodel]

It is not a problem.

I've shot cast bullets in every kind of summer heat for about 50 years and have never seen any evidence of melted bullet lube contaminating the powder.

Consider that every round of lead bullet factory ammo made is shipped all over the world in un-vented 18-wheeler trailers and steel ship cargo containers.
It's all still factory fresh when it gets wherever it's going.

And yes, you do need to use bullet lube!

rc

 

[moooose102]

personally, i think the only thing that liquid alox will do is smoke a bit when the round is fired. as far as cast bullet supplyers go, www.dardascastbullets.com

 

[243winxb]

Melting Temeratures of Bullet Lubes for Cast Bullets

Midwayusa master catalog #32 lists lube temperature. First i would say be aware of off brand lubes/home made. One i used many years ago would leave a oily stain when the bullets sat on a picnic table in the hot summer sun when i tested it. But it gave no problems/miss fires. If the batch is not made correctly, you could have problems. The Alox used in 50/50 has been change just in the last few year. There are hard and soft lubes. The hard lubes will need a heater like the Lyman 4500 uses. Check the brand instructions. Here are a few, not all on photo. Click for larger view.

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