The Ultimate Guide To Pan Lubing Cast Bullets

Lubricating cast bullets is an essential step in the bullet-casting process, as it helps to avoid the buildup of lead residue in the barrel of a gun, which can occur due to the high speeds and barrel pressures generated when a bullet is fired. This residue can dramatically reduce accuracy and lead to a labourous cleaning process. One method of lubrication is pan lubing, which involves melting bullet lube in a crock pot or pan and then allowing bullets to harden within the mixture before extraction. This traditional method is favoured by many modern casters as it is simple and affordable.

Choosing a lubricant

The choice of lubricant is an important one, as it will determine the success of your pan-lubing endeavour. There are several factors to consider when choosing a lubricant for cast bullets. Firstly, it is important to understand the purpose of lubricating cast bullets. Lubrication serves several functions: friction reduction, lead fouling prevention, heat reduction, and improved accuracy. With these goals in mind, let's explore some of the most popular lubricants and their benefits.

One of the most popular choices for cast bullet lubrication is a mixture of beeswax and petroleum jelly (Vaseline). This combination provides a good balance between hardness and softness, allowing for easy application and effective lubrication. The beeswax provides stiffness, while the petroleum jelly ensures the mixture remains soft enough to work with. This type of lubricant is often used in the pan-lubing method, where bullets are placed base-down in a pan and the melted mixture is poured over them.

Another option is to use a pre-made bullet lube, such as those offered by Lyman, White Label, or Dragon Lubes. These lubricants are specifically designed for cast bullets and can provide excellent results. They are usually solid and need to be melted before use. However, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and take caution not to overheat the lubricant, as some may catch on fire if they reach too high a temperature.

For those who prefer a simpler approach, a product like Lee's Liquid Alox is a good choice. This liquid lubricant can be applied directly to the bullets without any melting or preparation. However, it is important to note that this method can be messy and may not provide the same level of accuracy as other techniques.

Additionally, you can create your own lubricant mixtures using various compounds. Some people add automatic transmission fluid or STP oil treatment to their beeswax and petroleum jelly mixture for extra lubrication. Others opt for more natural ingredients like olive oil and Murphy's oil soap. These homemade mixtures can be effective, but it is important to experiment and find the right combination that suits your needs.

When choosing a lubricant, it is essential to consider the velocity of your bullets. Softer lubricants are typically better suited for lower-velocity bullets, as they provide a thinner coating. Harder lubricants, on the other hand, are ideal for higher-velocity loads and can withstand the increased pressure and heat.

In conclusion, the choice of lubricant depends on several factors, including personal preference, bullet velocity, and desired level of accuracy. Experimenting with different lubricants and mixtures will help you find the perfect formula for your cast bullets. Remember to work in a well-ventilated area and always put safety first!

Preparing the bullets

Before you begin pan-lubing your cast bullets, you'll need to gather a few things. These include a turkey baster or ladle, and a pencil or screwdriver. You'll also need a pan to melt the bullet lube in. Some people use a conventional cooking pot on the stove, but it's recommended to use a cheap crock pot for this purpose. It's important to note that everything used for pan-lubing is eventually going to be exposed to lead, so make sure that whatever you decide to use is never used for cooking or serving food again.

Silicon baking pans are perfect for pan-lubing as they're light, flexible, and easy to use. They're also cheap and easy to find. Many pan-lubers use a ladle to add lubricant to the pan, but a turkey baster is also a good option.

Once you have your equipment ready, begin by melting the bullet lube in the crock pot until it reaches a nice, even consistency. Depending on the type of lubricant you've chosen, this could take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Be sure to avoid heating with an open flame, as some lubricants will actually catch on fire if they reach a high enough temperature.

While the lubricant is melting, take the time to inspect your bullets. Even if you routinely check your castings, it's always a good idea to make sure you haven't missed anything. Wrinkled or malformed bullets will not fly consistently and should be discarded as scrap lead for recasting at a later date.

With that done, set the silicon baking pan up on a level surface and begin standing the bullets right-side-up, about 1/2"-1" apart. Avoid grouping them any closer together than 1/2" as it can cause the hardened lube sheet to break apart during extraction, potentially ruining part of your batch.

With the bullets lined up and the lubricant melted, it's time to start pouring. Using a ladle or turkey baster, begin adding bullet lube from the corners and allowing it to flow outward naturally. This will help reduce the chance of knocking your bullets over, as well as ensure the lube flows and hardens into a single layer. Continue adding lube until the topmost lube groove is covered; some people even opt to cover the canelure groove if applicable to your bullet type.

Bullet lube has a tendency to solidify on the top, giving the mistaken impression that it's hardened, when in fact, it's still very much liquid beneath the surface. To avoid ruining your batch, allow the lube to cool for a minimum of thirty minutes before handling.

Once the lube block has cooled sufficiently, it's time to begin extracting the bullets. The ideal time to perform the extraction is when the lube block is solid but still slightly warm. Peel back the sides of the silicon baking sheet and gently lift the block free, standing it on one side. Using a pencil, screwdriver, or even your finger, begin punching the bullets out into the pan.

Finally, take a few minutes to inspect your bullets one last time. Ideally, each one should have a nice, consistent band of bullet lubricant in the lube grooves. A little excess lubricant here or there is no problem, as it will be removed during the sizing process later. However, bullets with large bare sections should be set aside and re-lubricated to ensure complete coverage for maximum accuracy when firing.

Melting the lubricant

Melting the bullet lube is the first step in the pan-lubing process. This can be done using a crock pot, a conventional cooking pot on the stove, or a silicon baking pan. It is important to note that whatever method is used, the equipment will be exposed to lead, so it should never be used for cooking or serving food again.

The lubricant should be melted until it reaches a nice, even consistency. This can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the type of lubricant being used. It is important to avoid heating with an open flame, as some lubricants will catch on fire if they reach a high enough temperature.

While the lubricant is melting, it is a good idea to inspect the bullets for any defects. Wrinkled or malformed bullets will not fly consistently and should be discarded for scrap lead.

Once the lubricant is melted, the next step is to begin pouring it into the pan. This can be done using a ladle or a turkey baster. It is important to start pouring from the corners and allow the lube to flow outward naturally. This helps to reduce the chance of knocking over the bullets and ensures the lube hardens into a single layer.

The lubricant should be poured until it covers the top-most lube groove of the bullets. Some people may even choose to cover the canelure groove, if applicable to the bullet type.

Bullet lube can solidify on the top while still being liquid underneath, so it is important to allow the lube to cool for at least 30 minutes before handling. This will help to avoid ruining the batch.

After the lube has cooled and solidified, it is time to begin extracting the bullets. This is best done when the lube is still slightly warm, especially for harder bullet lubricants which can be difficult to extract if left too long.

Overall, melting the lubricant is a crucial step in the pan-lubing process, and it is important to follow the proper procedures to ensure the best results.

Pouring the lubricant

Now that you have your equipment and materials ready, it's time to begin pouring the lubricant. Using a ladle or turkey baster, start by adding the bullet lube from the corners and letting it flow outward naturally. This technique will help reduce the chance of knocking your bullets over and ensure the lube flows and hardens into a single layer. Continue adding the lubricant until the topmost lube groove is covered. Some people even choose to cover the canelure groove, if applicable to your bullet type.

Be cautious as bullet lube tends to solidify on the top, giving the impression that it has hardened when it is still very much liquid beneath the surface. To avoid ruining your batch, let the lube cool for a minimum of thirty minutes before handling.

If you are using a softer lube, you may want to consider warming your bullets and the pan before pouring the lubricant. This can be done using a radiator, heater, or even the hot sun. Warming the bullets and the pan will help the lubricant fill the grooves and retain more of the lube.

For harder lubes, it is important to pour the lubricant while it is still warm. This will make it easier to extract the bullets later. You can use an oven, hot plate, or even a blowtorch to gently heat the bullets and lube from the top. Once the lube is melted, set the pan aside and let it cool until it is just warm to the touch before removing the bullets.

Remember to always use a double boiler when melting the lubricant to avoid scorching or overheating, which can destroy its effectiveness.

Extracting the bullets

Once the lube block has cooled and solidified, it's time to extract the bullets. The ideal time to do this is when the lube block is solid but still slightly warm, especially if you're using a harder bullet lubricant. If the lubricant is too hard, it can be very difficult to extract the bullets.

First, peel back the sides of the silicon baking sheet and gently lift the block free. Stand the block on one side and use a pencil, screwdriver, or even your finger to begin punching or pushing the bullets out into the pan. If you're using a softer lube, you can also try pulling the bullets out by their noses with a small pair of needle-nose pliers.

If you're using a cake pan, you can pop the entire cake of lube out of the pan and then start popping the bullets out one by one. Alternatively, you can use a fired case of the appropriate calibre with the head cut off as a cookie cutter to cut the bullets out of the lube.

Finally, take a few minutes to inspect your bullets. Ideally, each one should have a nice, consistent band of lubricant in the grooves. A little excess lubricant is no problem, as it will be removed during the sizing process. However, bullets with large bare sections should be set aside and re-lubricated to ensure complete coverage for maximum accuracy when firing.

Frequently asked questions