For 3 decades I have been using Thompson Blue Angel bullet lube for my smokeless cast lead bullets and I haven't had any complaints. I use the RCBS Lube-A-Matic 2 for sizing and lubing which has a heating base making lubing/sizing a smooth operation and fun at times.
A few years ago I bought a ranch and moved to a hotter climate. After a short reloading hiatus, after getting acclimated, I started reloading again. Opening my bullet supply boxes was very disheartening as I found the bullet lube had melted out of the grooves and all my bullets were stuck in a wax pool that resembled dinosaur bones in the La Brea Tart Pits. The research down the rabbit hole of bullet lubes began. Not only did I discover how many bullet lubes there are out there, I came across their melting points and intended purposes. This news was completely new to me. I never thought about bullet lubes having intended purposes. Lube was lube. It prevented fouling among other things. Just stick something in the grooves and get it loaded. Boy, was I naive.
I now realize there are lubes for slow velocities, high velocities, harder lubes to prevent melting, softer lubes for ease of application, etc. I read that too soft of a lube can melt inside the case and foul the powder causing inconsistent velocities and accuracy. So, just buy a hard lube right? Definitely not. Too hard of a lube will crack and fall apart while trying to apply it if its flow temp is too high for the lubing heater. I understand this completely as I've tried lubing on a freezing cold day that overpowered my lube heater.
So, now that I'm completely confused, I decided to do the only sensible thing. Turn to my friends on CAGUNS. The experts. People who have gone through the trials and have the knowledge. So I am asking, is anyone willing to share with me their findings and life experiences with this lube dilemma? I would enjoy hearing your knowledge and opinions in this matter. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share.
A few years ago I bought a ranch and moved to a hotter climate. After a short reloading hiatus, after getting acclimated, I started reloading again. Opening my bullet supply boxes was very disheartening as I found the bullet lube had melted out of the grooves and all my bullets were stuck in a wax pool that resembled dinosaur bones in the La Brea Tart Pits. The research down the rabbit hole of bullet lubes began. Not only did I discover how many bullet lubes there are out there, I came across their melting points and intended purposes. This news was completely new to me. I never thought about bullet lubes having intended purposes. Lube was lube. It prevented fouling among other things. Just stick something in the grooves and get it loaded. Boy, was I naive.
I now realize there are lubes for slow velocities, high velocities, harder lubes to prevent melting, softer lubes for ease of application, etc. I read that too soft of a lube can melt inside the case and foul the powder causing inconsistent velocities and accuracy. So, just buy a hard lube right? Definitely not. Too hard of a lube will crack and fall apart while trying to apply it if its flow temp is too high for the lubing heater. I understand this completely as I've tried lubing on a freezing cold day that overpowered my lube heater.
So, now that I'm completely confused, I decided to do the only sensible thing. Turn to my friends on CAGUNS. The experts. People who have gone through the trials and have the knowledge. So I am asking, is anyone willing to share with me their findings and life experiences with this lube dilemma? I would enjoy hearing your knowledge and opinions in this matter. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share.
