Author Topic: Bullet swaging receipe (Read 10556 times)

bullet maker · « **on:** March 22, 2003, 04:41:28 AM »

:oops: Sorry, but someone in the past, and I think it was on this forum, had posted a recipe for swaging lube, for swaging bullets.Anyhow, to make a long story short, I lost it and now I`m almost out of Corbin`s lube and don`t want to pay the extra money for it. Idf someone could repeate the formula, I promise not to lose it again.
I think it was lanolin and castor oil?
bullet maker

talon · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2003, 05:43:47 AM »

That is correct. Anhydrous Lanolin and Castor oil, mixed at about 1 pound (lanolin) to 4 oz of oil. You can get this stuff from some on-line medical suppliers for about 50% of what you would spend having someone mixing it up for you and calling it swaging lub. It does take some time and effort to mix, so take your time and be careful about adding to much oil. It's the lanolin that does all the work and the oil only makes it easier to apply. It's great for resizing shells, too, and keeping your hands soft.

bullet maker · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2003, 03:30:33 AM »

OK, thanks Talon, I ordered it through my drug warehouse and it should be here Monday.
Thanks

bullet maker

bullet maker · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2003, 06:56:38 PM »

Hello Talon;
I made me up some bullet lube today and it works great. I got it at Drug Warehouse, they had to order it for me. The Castor Oil is a 4 oz. bottle and cost $4.19, the Anhydrous, Lanolin is a 1 lb, and cost $22.05.
I poured the whole bottle with the 1 lb Lanolin, in a larger container and mixed it up real good and it came out so good, you can`t tell it from the high dolloar stuff. LOL.
Thanks

bullet maker

talon · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2003, 04:30:03 AM »

Bullet Maker: next time you order any lanolin don't go after the much higher priced 'medical quality' stuff. I should have mentioned that there is a great price difference. For instance, there's an outfit that stocks and sells it for making soap @$8/lb + postage. ( for instance see www.cedarvale.net/soaps/lanolin.htm ) Your bullets won't mind a few bacteria. But, besure it's anhydrous ( no H2O) as if there's any water in it your swage die set will have to cleaned and lubed after use.

bullet maker · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2003, 04:50:28 AM »

Hey Talon,
I went to the web site you mentioned and yes it was a lot cheaper, like 14.00 cheaper. Thanks for the update. I will order from them next time.
Now how about that Castor Oil, any savings on it, before I buy another bottle?
Thanks

bullet maker

talon · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2003, 05:22:41 AM »

Hay, I use "google" ( www.google.com/ ) to find items. I used it to find the place to get lanolin, and castor oil ( www.baar.com/castor.htm ) ((I knote that the more oil you get the MUCH less costly it becomes)). In any case it's a little less than what you paid ONLY because it's not for internal (not drinkable) use. Anyway, you can use the search engine, Google, to find just about anything you are interested in. ((I used a computer for about 2 years before I even learned there was such a thing as a surch engine, let alone the fact that it's free!!))

Donna · « **Reply #7 on:** April 01, 2003, 11:57:02 AM »

Hello everyone,

I tryed the ( www.baar.com/castor.htm ) but the page could not be found but this page is working ( http://www.baar.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=001&Category_Code=CAS ).

Thanks for the good URL's and the info. :wink:

Donna

bullet maker · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2003, 12:46:20 AM »

Thanks Talon and Donna.\
I will try the new sites as mentioned. I love this computor, and didn`t know about all the search engines that were free. I`m with msn and like it but sometimes its limited.
Now if somebody will just put out a vhs on bullet swaging.
bullet maker

HWooldridge · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2003, 06:23:15 AM »

You might also try a product called Bag Balm, which is available at the feed store for application to milk cow udders. It is lanolin and sulfur (plus it smells good).

Donna · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2003, 06:58:05 AM »

Hello Hwooldridge,

Thank you for the Bag Balm information. :-D Boy there is so many places I could take this, but I’ll be a good little girl. :roll:

Donna :wink:

talon · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2003, 12:12:05 PM »

While it's true that Bag Balm has lanolin, it also has petroleum jelly, and I'm not sure in what proportions. The important thing is that I'm not sure it's water soluable, where the lanolin/castor oil mix is, and that makes cleaning up your freshly swaged bullets a snap. It's price is tempting thou((IF it works)): about $6 per 10oz from some places. Has anyone tried it and can comment?

williamlayton · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2003, 04:39:47 AM »

i don't know anythin--and maybe this isn't a good suggestion--ifin it aint then forgive me and say a prayer askin tha lord to have mercy--but ol pigenroost slim on the blackpowder postings of cas has a reciept for a lube ya might want to check out.
blessings from a lurker

talon · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2003, 06:01:47 AM »

William, I scaned the thread on the CAS item on the BP board. However, bullet swaging lub has different characteristics than either "lead bullet" or "cartridge case" lub. The main difference is that it must take up to 80,000psi without breaking down to allow easy extraction of the newly formed core, seated core-jacket, or final bullet from the die cavity. "lead bullet" lub is concerned with high flash points, not melting in normal temperatures ( up to 120 degrees, for instance), and in preventing 'tinning' in the barrel. I think "cartridge case" lub's big characteristic is performing well at 5,000psi or less, being very economical, and not discoloring the cases. Each type serves it's purpose well, but it's best not to interchange them (lanolin is great for sizing brass, but is expensive for that purpose).

williamlayton · « **Reply #14 on:** April 05, 2003, 05:08:16 AM »

well duh on me :oops: :oops: my onldefence is the original disclaimer. as gilda would say"oh thats different". :roll:
blessings

Louis Farrugia · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2003, 03:01:00 AM »

HI BULLET MAKER

I GOT YOUR RECEIPE FOR SWAGING LUBE I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW
IF SWAGING LUBE IS GOOD TO USE FOR BULLET LUBE ? OR A RECEIPE .
I USE 9mm LEAD BULLETS 124g I BOUGHT THE (HCT-2)AND I TRYED
THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WORKED WELL . NO LEADING.
I AM WAITING FOR SWAGING PRESS AND TOOLS FROM REC. CORBIN
I AM STARTING SWAGING FOR THE FIRST TIME ANY TIPS THAT WOULD
HELP ME . I ORDERD 20 POUNDS OF LANOLIN FROM THE USA.

BEST REGARDS
LOUIS
FROM MALTA EUROPE
I LIKE SHOOTING AND PARAGLIDEING

hunter280man · « **Reply #16 on:** August 03, 2003, 03:31:50 AM »

Wow! 20# of the stuff? You're really going into swaging arn't you.... :shock: I ordered a 1# tub of the lanoline but must have bumped the order button twice....yep I have a extra tub now. For my lanoline it took more like 5 oz of castor oil to get it loose enough.

Sure looks like it'll do the job!

Louis Farrugia · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2003, 03:52:03 AM »

HIHUNTER 280 MAN

I AM A MEMBER OF THE COMMITEE OF A SHOOTING CLUB AT LAST WE ARE HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO SHOOT WHIT CENTER FIRE . BEFORE WE COULD SHOOT ONLY BLACK POWDER.
SO I AM GERING UP SINCE MALTA IS A SMALL IT IS VERY DIFICULT
TO INPORT IN BULK (SINCE 19 /11) SO BULLETS WILL BE VERY
EXPENSIVE.

BEST REGARDS

LOUIS

talon · « **Reply #18 on:** August 03, 2003, 05:18:18 AM »

Louis in Malta,
Swaging lubracation and bullet lub are two different things. I realize that you haven't noticed any problems using swaging lub on your knuraled bullets yet, but in the long run I'd use something different. For instance, I use a mix of bee's wax, paraffin, and petroleum jelly to lubracate lead bullets. Because Malta is a warm place, I would recomment a mix of 40% wax, 45% paraffin, and 15% jelly if you use a sizing-lubracating press, or perhaps a 35-35-30% mix, heated, to roll your knurled bullet in. Better yet, though a bit more costly, is to get a Base Guard punch and base guards for your bullet die and you won't have to lubracate, knurl, or cannelure any of your lead bullets! This would be wise in a hot, sandy place where lubacated bullets are troublesome. Lastly, visit the "Bullet Casting" board on this site. I'm sure those folks have all kinds of formulas for bullet lub. By the way, are you making only lead bullets, or jacketed ones as well?

talon · « **Reply #19 on:** August 03, 2003, 05:35:42 AM »

Hunter280man's comment about ordering 20# (about 8kg) of Lanolin is correct. One pound of the stuff, mixed with 4 or 5 ounces of castor oil, will lubracate about 50,000 9mm bullets!!! Or more!!! The technique is to spread about 3cc's of the lub onto a clean 'Ink Stamp' pad, dab the two fingers and the thumb that you hold a single bullet in lighly into the lub, and barely cover the lead core with a THIN film of lub. I mean THIN! A little goes a long way. You should have NO lub build up on your cores at all. 3cc's should cover 400 9mm bullets or more. You don't need to wash it off your lead bullets, but you will have to apply bullet lub before loading them. By the way, do you have or did you order the Corbin Swaging Hand book?

Louis Farrugia · « **Reply #20 on:** August 04, 2003, 05:13:01 AM »

Quote from: talon

Louis in Malta,
Swaging lubracation and bullet lub are two different things. I realize that you haven't noticed any problems using swaging lub on your knuraled bullets yet, but in the long run I'd use something different. For instance, I use a mix of bee's wax, paraffin, and petroleum jelly to lubracate lead bullets. Because Malta is a warm place, I would recomment a mix of 40% wax, 45% paraffin, and 15% jelly if you use a sizing-lubracating press, or perhaps a 35-35-30% mix, heated, to roll your knurled bullet in. Better yet, though a bit more costly, is to get a Base Guard punch and base guards for your bullet die and you won't have to lubracate, knurl, or cannelure any of your lead bullets! This would be wise in a hot, sandy place where lubacated bullets are troublesome. Lastly, visit the "Bullet Casting" board on this site. I'm sure those folks have all kinds of formulas for bullet lub. By the way, are you making only lead bullets, or jacketed ones as well?

HI TALON
AT THE MOMENT I AM MAKING LEAD BULLETS ONLY 9mm /.38/38sp/357
.45ACP I BOUGHT FROM REC SWAGING PRESS AND DIES BASE GARD PUNCHES,
BUT NOT ARIVED YET.YOU THINK I SHOULD BUY CORBINSWAGING HAND BOOK FROM DAVE OR RICHARD.
HOW DO I MIX 40%BEE WAX45%PARAFFIN 15%PETROLEUM JELLY BY VOLIUM OR BY WHIGHT>
THANKS FOR THE HELP.

LOUIS MALTA

talon · « **Reply #21 on:** August 04, 2003, 10:21:44 AM »

You should get the Corbin "Rediscover Swaging" book as soon as you can. You may be able to download it from his web site for free. It will explain much and save you lots of difficulties. Mix the bullet lub by volume. I suppose you could mix it by weight,too. It's not a critical balance of components. The Bee's wax is the most expensive, and it's used to keep the flash point as high as possible. The jelly is to make it soft and sticky. Some people do not like this formula as it does make for "messy" bullets. Also, bullets lubbed this way can not be stored in the heat as there is a chance for the lub to contaminate the powder.

Paul McC · « **Reply #22 on:** August 04, 2003, 12:29:31 PM »

G'day,

I'm curious, (I'm also Australian, but I can't help that). I regularly use a liquid lanolin spray as a rust preventitive on my workshop machines, these products are mainly lanolin and some sort of mildly volitile (evaporates fairly readily) oil.

Has anyone tried to use this type of product as a swaging, or case lube?

Thanks, Paul.

Donna · « **Reply #23 on:** August 04, 2003, 01:54:14 PM »

Hello All,

I have noticed an intermixing of the terms swaging, bullet, and case lubs. I just wanted to make sure that everyone knows that there is a very big difference between bullet lub, swaging lub, and case resizing lubs. Lub is short for lubricant. :?

Bullet lub is used to lubricate and protect the bullet while it is traveling through the barrel and neither swaging nor case resizing lub is a suitable substitute.

Swaging lub is to prevent the galling (typo, thank you talon) of the dies and the sticking of the swaged material inside the die and not to break down under high pressures and neither bullet nor case resizing lub is a suitable substitute.

Case resizing lub is to prevent the gilding of the dies and the sticking of the cartridge case inside the die under relatively low pressures and while swaging lub is designed for high pressures swaging lub is a fine substitute but bullet lub is not a suitable substitute.

For all you that already know this I am not talking to you but a review never hurts. :wink:

Donna :roll:

talon · « **Reply #24 on:** August 05, 2003, 02:56:19 AM »

Donna, It must have been a longggg day again. It's "galling", not "gilding".

Rick Teal · « **Reply #25 on:** June 10, 2005, 06:24:23 AM »

I'm just bringing this thread to the top. It's a handy recipe to have on-hand.

I'll have to check with the moderators instructions and figure out how to "sticky" it.

nicholst55 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 22, 2007, 12:15:19 PM »

Here's a site that carries both Castor oil and anhydrous lanolin for what seem like very reasonable prices:

http://www.thesage.com/catalog/FixedOil.html

They don't rob you on shipping, either - I ordered 16 oz of Castor Oil and 8 oz of lanolin, and the total came to $17 and change, including UPS ground shipping. Castor oil is dirt cheap there!

Utah Smitty · « **Reply #27 on:** November 28, 2007, 01:49:49 PM »

I realize that this is a Johnny-Come-Lately post, but "thesage.com" website also carries beeswax-- useful in making bullet lubes.

Utah Smitty