I finally took time out to to study this theme on bullet lubes.All of you fellas are doing a good job trying different lubes.I still have quite a bit of the old Tamarack alox.I used it 30 years ago in pistol compition.Never had leading.Used in my Gold Cup,and mod.52-1.I've talked to several bpcs'ers it seems petroleum based lubes creates problems.Natural animal extracts are the ticket.Forster,Hornady,used a white cream for sizing brass.It was mink oil according to Bob Ruch of Forster.Lanolin is still used by small commercial reloaders.I am experimenting with bear lard,pure mink oil,bees wax.It works very good on bpc loads.Tested it with the 44-100.No leading.One problem,cant always get bear fat.I've talked to the Original Mink Oil mfr.It now has additives.Got to get the real stuff.I do use Windex to clean every time I shoot a round,one Bore Butter Patch.This is all trial and error,preference,self satisfaction.I have an apiary near me.Lots of honey and bees wax.Im not in that business,But for the do it yourselfers let me know.What a slick subject.I wonder if I should have wrote this?     Frank

I use the 1 part beeswax, 1 part alox, 1 part corona horse ointment, same as I use for black, haven't tried it with a rifle cartridge, worked great for 44Spec/Mag, 38 Spec, 357 Mag/Max, and all sorts of handgun rounds as well as the old reliable 45/70, 50/70 38/55 and 50/110.  Fweirus, you said Elmer Keith told you that personally?  I am a big Elmer Keith fan and am currently attempting to compile a book of personal correspondence between various folks and both Elmer Keith and Skeeter Skelton as well as Jeff Cooper and others.  Do you have anything else to contribute?

I'm still on the original Alox (I have a gallon of it.) It is no longer made, but there are some types that are close to it.  50/50 Alox and bees wax - experimenting adding a little carnuba and/or lanolin.

Lately I have been using an old formula that is very simple but is working very well for me. I have used it both breech seated in a .32 caliber and fixed in a .25-20. In the .25-20 I have shot a few rounds a almost 1500 fps. I have experienced no leading.

The lube is called lithi-bee. It is made from 1 pound of bees wax and a 14 ounce tube of plain amber colored lithium grease. The lube is pretty soft even in cool weather but I've had no trouble with it in 80 degree temperature. I understand that many people modify this lube with the addition of various products such as carnauba wax or soap such as Ivory to harden it.

You must use low heat of less than 200 degrees. Melt the bees wax and then add the lithium grease stirring constantly until it is totally dissolved.
Bill

Quote:


Tight patches and turpentine.