Why are lead bullet lubricated

[flamoudi]

Hello from a new site member!

I've been casting and lubing for a few years now. First with alox tumble lube and now with a wax mix in the lubriciser. I agree the worst fouling is on revolvers in and around the forcing cone. More so with softer lead FWC's. I can't say I've seen heavy fouling in the under-levers, maybe because I just can't see it!

What I've noticed from picking out hard cast lead for scrap from the sands at the range is there are plenty of heads, barely deformed with the lube rings intact with visible grooving on the drive bands. Maybe they weren't driven hard or maybe microgroove barrels?

I continue to lube as it helps in the resizing but is it crucial? Maybe it's just one of these things we do, rather than not.

I can't say I clean my barrels that often so they're probably constantly lubed anyway.

Anyone over here used the powder coated heads that the Americans have been using in recent years? What happens when you try to remelt them to recast?

[dromia]

I've tried powder/epoxy coating and it adds nothing to the bullet other than colour. Perhaps if you lived in a hot climate where ordinary lubricants were prone to run then maybe they have a use.

Getting set up is expensive especially if you have already invested in lube kit also the jury stills seems to be out on how well it works on rifle bullets.

Liquid Xlox is a coating process.

If I was back in the pistol days when I was shooting 2000 rounds plus per week and looking to get set up for volume casting then it might be an option but other than that then I don't see any benefit from it.

Never had leading problem with wad cutters and soft lead leading the only leading problems I have ever had have been caused by hard alloys and poor fitting bullets, however wadcutters do need to have forcing cone to cylinder alignment to be spot on or it can get messy.

Deformed heads? Has the zuki virus reached where you shoot?

[flamoudi]

Yeah, powder coating probably isn't worth it. I haven't seen commercial heads sold like that yet.

Zuki virus? No the heads were not deformed. You could have almost shot them again, so maybe they were undersized, but not mine.

Back in the pistol days I bought my bullets, there's not the same choice nowadays although the shopping online is vastly better.

Casting and reloading is like anglers tying flies, it adds another dimension to a hobby, you can do it when your at home.

[Mike95]

This is an interesting website...a Finnish site with an interesting slant on lubing FMJ in addition to cast bullets http://guns.connect.fi/gow/QA6.html

Grease of all kinds!

Mike95

[Nick Hulme]

Thanks Badger,
That's an interesting read, bookmarked for further study.
I use a Beeswax/Moly-Grease/30 Weight Oil mix for my cast lead .357 rounds which seems to work,
Regards,
Nick