Lubricated Lead Bullets: To Size Or Not?

Pan-lubricated lead bullets are an alternative to traditional bullet lubricants, which often consist of beeswax, petroleum jelly, and similar compounds. This method is simple, cost-effective, and does not require any specialised equipment. The process involves placing cast bullets base-down in a pan and pouring melted lubricant over them until it reaches the base of the bullet's lube groove. While pan lubrication is a straightforward process, it is important to note that all lead bullets must be lubricated to prevent leading and ensure accuracy.

What are the benefits of lubricating cast bullets?

Benefits of Lubricating Cast Bullets

Lubricating cast bullets is essential to prevent leading and improve accuracy. Here are some key benefits of lubricating cast bullets:

Friction Reduction

The primary reason for lubricating cast bullets is to reduce friction between the bullet and the barrel of the firearm. This helps maintain the integrity of the barrel by minimizing wear and tear. Reduced friction also ensures consistent velocity and pressure, improving the trajectory and accuracy of the bullet.

Lead Fouling Prevention

Lubrication plays a crucial role in preventing lead fouling, which is the buildup of lead deposits in the barrel. Lead fouling can negatively impact accuracy and the overall performance of the firearm. By lubricating the bullet, the lead is less likely to adhere to the inside of the barrel, ensuring cleaner shots and reducing the need for frequent cleaning.

Heat Reduction

The firing of a gun generates significant heat, and lubrication helps mitigate this issue. By reducing heat, the likelihood of damage to both the bullet and the gun is decreased. This, in turn, contributes to more accurate and consistent shots.

Improved Accuracy

Lubricated bullets generally provide better accuracy. The lubricant helps maintain a consistent velocity and pressure, which directly impacts the trajectory of the bullet. Additionally, lubrication reduces the buildup of lead residue in the barrel, further enhancing accuracy.

Ease of Loading

In the past, when matchlocks and flintlocks were used, lubrication was not necessary for cast lead balls. However, with the introduction of rifling, longer and heavier projectiles became necessary to take full advantage of improved accuracy. Lubrication eases the loading process by reducing friction and allowing for smoother and faster loading of bullets into the barrel.

Barrel Protection

Lubrication acts as a protective layer for the barrel. It helps prevent oxidation and the adhesion of lead deposits, keeping the barrel in better condition over time. This, in turn, contributes to improved accuracy and longer barrel life.

Versatility

Different types of lubricants offer varying levels of versatility. For example, soft lubes are more versatile and can handle a wider range of velocities compared to hard lubes, which may struggle with intermediate pressure/temperature ranges.

In conclusion, lubricating cast bullets offers several advantages, including friction reduction, lead fouling prevention, heat reduction, improved accuracy, ease of loading, barrel protection, and versatility. By understanding and utilizing these benefits, shooters can enhance their shooting experience, improve accuracy, and maintain their firearms more effectively.

What are the different methods of lubricating bullets?

Lubricating cast bullets is essential to prevent leading and improve accuracy. While traditional lubricants are often a mix of beeswax, petroleum jelly, and similar compounds, modern techniques such as powder coating are also used. Here are some of the different methods of lubricating bullets:

Traditional Lubricator/Sizer Method

This conventional method uses a lubricator/sizer machine to size and lubricate bullets in one operation. The machine forces lube into the bullet's lube groove as it passes through the sizing die. This is the most common method and requires a lubricator/sizer machine, bullet lube, and cast bullets.

Pan Lubricating Method

The pan lubrication method is a simpler and more cost-effective approach that doesn't require specialised equipment. Cast bullets are placed base-down in a pan, and melted lube is poured over them until it reaches the base of the bullet's lube groove. Once the lube hardens, the excess is trimmed off, and the bullets are removed.

Tumble Lubricating Method

Tumble lubricating is a straightforward process where bullets are placed in a container with liquid lube and gently shaken to coat them. It is quick but messy and best suited for lower-velocity bullets as the lube coating can be thinner.

Powder Coating Method

Powder coating is an alternative to traditional bullet lubrication. It involves coating bullets with a thin layer of polymer powder and then heating them until the powder melts, forming a smooth coating that acts as a lubricant and reduces lead fouling.

Bullet Lubrication Ingredients

Bullet lube ingredients vary, but common ones include beeswax, lithium-based grease, black powder, molybdenum disulfide, and carnauba wax. These ingredients are mixed and melted to create a lubricant with the desired consistency and properties.

Considerations for Lubrication

When preparing cast bullets for lubrication, it is crucial to inspect them for defects and size them correctly. The bullet lube, whether solid or liquid, should also be prepared accordingly—solid lube should be gently melted, while liquid lube can be used as is. After lubrication, bullets must be allowed to dry completely before storage in a cool, dry place.

What equipment is needed for pan-lubing?

Pan-lubing is a process used to apply lubricant to bullets. It is a popular method due to its effectiveness in lubricating large batches of bullets uniformly and without deformation. The process involves standing bullets upright in a pan, pouring molten lubricant over them, allowing the lubricant to cool and harden, and then extracting the bullets.

• Bullets: The items to be lubricated.
• Bullet Lube: The lubricant used to coat the bullets. Bullet lube can be purchased from manufacturers such as Lyman, White Label, or Dragon Lubes, or it can be mixed from scratch using recipes that include ingredients such as beeswax, Vaseline, and automatic transmission fluid.
• Pan: A container to hold the bullets and lubricant. While traditional metal baking pans or frying pans can be used, modern silicone pans are preferred due to their light weight, flexibility, and ease of use.
• Heat Source: A heat source is needed to melt the bullet lube. This can be a stove, a crock pot, or a hot plate. It is important to use a double boiler arrangement when melting the lube to avoid scorching it. A simple setup can be made using a pie tin for the bullet tray and a deeper tray or coffee can for the water tin.
• Tools for Handling Lubricant: Tools such as a ladle or a turkey baster can be used to handle the molten lubricant and pour it over the bullets.
• Tools for Extraction: Once the lubricant has hardened, tools such as a pencil, screwdriver, or even your finger can be used to extract the bullets from the lube cake.
• Oven or Freezer (Optional): Some people choose to use an oven or freezer to control the temperature of the lubricant and bullets during the process, either to speed up cooling or to maintain a specific temperature.

It is important to note that all equipment used for pan-lubing will be exposed to lead, so it is recommended to use dedicated tools and containers that will not be used for cooking or serving food.

What is the process for pan-lubing?

The pan-lubricating method is a straightforward and cost-effective process that doesn't require any specialised equipment. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to pan-lube:

Step 1: Prepare the Cast Bullets

Firstly, lay out all the cast bullets on a flat surface and inspect them for any defects. It is important to ensure that the bullets are free from any imperfections as this can impact their flight trajectory.

Step 2: Prepare the Bullet Lube

While inspecting the bullets, simultaneously melt the bullet lube in a crockpot or a similar heating device. Avoid using an open flame as some lubricants can catch on fire if they get too hot. Bullet lube usually takes around 10-30 minutes to melt, depending on its type.

Step 3: Arrange the Bullets in the Pan

Once the lube is melted, set up a silicone baking pan on a level surface. Silicone pans are ideal for pan-lubing as they are lightweight, flexible, and easy to use. Place the bullets upright in the pan, leaving about 1/2"-1" of space between each bullet. This spacing is crucial to prevent the lube sheet from breaking during extraction.

Step 4: Pour the Lube

Using a ladle or a turkey baster, start pouring the melted lube from the corners of the pan, allowing it to flow outward naturally. Continue pouring until the topmost lube groove of the bullets is covered. It is important to note that bullet lube may solidify on the top while still being liquid underneath, so allow at least 30 minutes for the lube to cool before handling.

Step 5: Extract the Bullets

Once the lube has cooled and solidified, it's time to extract the bullets. Peel back the sides of the silicone pan and gently lift out the lube block. Stand the block on one side and use a pencil, screwdriver, or even your finger to push the bullets out.

Step 6: Inspect the Lubricated Bullets

Finally, inspect the bullets one last time to ensure proper lubrication. Each bullet should have a consistent band of lubricant in the lube grooves. A little excess lube is fine and will be removed during the sizing process. However, bullets with large bare sections should be re-lubricated to maximise accuracy during firing.

What are the pros and cons of pan-lubing?

Pan-lubing is a straightforward and cost-effective bullet lubrication method that does not require any specialised equipment. It is a traditional method that has stood the test of time and is still favoured by many modern casters.

Pros of Pan-lubing:

• It is a simple, straightforward method.
• It is cost-effective and does not require any specialised equipment.
• It is a traditional method that has been used for a long time and is still favoured by many modern casters.
• It allows for the inspection of bullets for defects before lubrication.
• It is a good option for those who want to avoid the "tedious" process of lubing/sizing each bullet individually.
• It is a good method for those who want to avoid the mess of tumble-lubing.
• It is flexible, and the amount of lubricant used can be controlled.

Cons of Pan-lubing:

• It can be messy.
• It can be time-consuming, especially when compared to more modern methods like lubrisizing.
• It can be difficult to extract the bullets from the pan, and the lube may stick to the pan.
• It may not be suitable for all types of lubricants, as some lubricants can flash over (catch on fire) if they reach a high temperature.
• It can be challenging to achieve consistent results, and the process may need to be adjusted depending on the type of lubricant used.
• It requires careful preparation and attention to detail to ensure the bullets are not ruined.

Frequently asked questions