Cleaning cast bullets - The Firearms Forum

Appliancedude · 05-20-2012, 12:05 AM

Ok so a few years ago I was givin some very questionable rounds. The primers on all the bullets were pre-struck. Each primer had a dimple in it. So I pulled the bullets tossed the powder and fired off the primers. And they all went off.

Anyways fast forward a couple years. I find the bullets I had pulled out and tossed in a box. But the lube that was on the bullets has collected alot of debree. So what to do. I tossed them in my tumbler only to have tumbling media get stuck in it too. Oh well it was worth a shot. Is there a good way to clean these off? The bullets are all good, just dirty.

JLA · 05-20-2012, 12:29 AM

drop em in a pot of hot water. the lube will melt off and take the debris with it. Then just dry them with a clean dry towel and re lube them.

Appliancedude · 05-20-2012, 12:31 AM

thanks, I know what I'm doing tomorrow

Appliancedude · 05-20-2012, 10:01 PM

Ok bullets are clean, now, how do I lube them? What should I get and how do I do it. I don't cast my own so not sure what to do

gdmoody · 05-21-2012, 09:15 AM

Try this stuff. I have a couple of molds that all I use on the bullets is this, it really works great. .http://www.midwayusa.com/product/466...be-4-oz-liquid

mikld · 05-21-2012, 12:23 PM

Tumble lubing will prolly be best for a starter. Easiest method will be with alox. Place bullets in a butter tub (clean of course), squirt a little alox in/around the bullets and swirl the bullets around in the alox to get a thin even coat. A thin light tan colored coat is all that's needed on the bearing surface of the bullet as the lube groove need not be filled. Spread the coated bullets on a sheet of wax paper to dry and when dry, reload as usual.

For low-regular velocity handgun ammo you could "finger lube" a few bullets (but this gets old real quick). Take some Chapstick and scrape some off on your fingers and stuff/fill the lube groove of the bullets, Load and shoot.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58 look here for tons of info about bullet lubes, especially the sticky "Tumble Lubing-Made easy and Mess Free". I've used 45-45-10 for lubing my .44 magnum bullets...

05-20-2012, 12:05 AM	#1
Appliancedude Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The true northern Cal Posts: 1,562	Cleaning cast bullets Ok so a few years ago I was givin some very questionable rounds. The primers on all the bullets were pre-struck. Each primer had a dimple in it. So I pulled the bullets tossed the powder and fired off the primers. And they all went off. Anyways fast forward a couple years. I find the bullets I had pulled out and tossed in a box. But the lube that was on the bullets has collected alot of debree. So what to do. I tossed them in my tumbler only to have tumbling media get stuck in it too. Oh well it was worth a shot. Is there a good way to clean these off? The bullets are all good, just dirty. __________________ It ain't broke it just lacks duct tape. The nice thing about opinions is everybody has one. -->

05-20-2012, 12:29 AM	#2
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Cleaning cast bullets drop em in a pot of hot water. the lube will melt off and take the debris with it. Then just dry them with a clean dry towel and re lube them. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

05-20-2012, 12:31 AM	#3
Appliancedude Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The true northern Cal Posts: 1,562	Re: Cleaning cast bullets thanks, I know what I'm doing tomorrow __________________ It ain't broke it just lacks duct tape. The nice thing about opinions is everybody has one.

05-20-2012, 10:01 PM	#4
Appliancedude Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The true northern Cal Posts: 1,562	Re: Cleaning cast bullets Ok bullets are clean, now, how do I lube them? What should I get and how do I do it. I don't cast my own so not sure what to do __________________ It ain't broke it just lacks duct tape. The nice thing about opinions is everybody has one.

05-21-2012, 09:15 AM	#5
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,324	Re: Cleaning cast bullets Try this stuff. I have a couple of molds that all I use on the bullets is this, it really works great. .http://www.midwayusa.com/product/466...be-4-oz-liquid __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

05-21-2012, 12:23 PM	#6
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 573	Re: Cleaning cast bullets Tumble lubing will prolly be best for a starter. Easiest method will be with alox. Place bullets in a butter tub (clean of course), squirt a little alox in/around the bullets and swirl the bullets around in the alox to get a thin even coat. A thin light tan colored coat is all that's needed on the bearing surface of the bullet as the lube groove need not be filled. Spread the coated bullets on a sheet of wax paper to dry and when dry, reload as usual. For low-regular velocity handgun ammo you could "finger lube" a few bullets (but this gets old real quick). Take some Chapstick and scrape some off on your fingers and stuff/fill the lube groove of the bullets, Load and shoot. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58 look here for tons of info about bullet lubes, especially the sticky "Tumble Lubing-Made easy and Mess Free". I've used 45-45-10 for lubing my .44 magnum bullets... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast. Last edited by mikld; 05-21-2012 at 12:25 PM..