Differences in Lube Grooves?

[flmason]

Hi All,
   In the past, my use of cast bullets was pretty much confined to magnum handguns, pretty much Kieth type.

In looking at some of Lee's .312 molds I notice some difference in the grooves.

http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Bullet-Mold-Double-Cavity-c-7289/

Consider C312-155-2R - This pretty much has what I expect... lube groove, crimp groove.

Now look at C312-160-2R - Lots of little grooves. What's that all about?

[anachronism]

You left off the "TL" prefix for the second mould, which identifies it a a tumble lube design.

[res45]

The CTL312-160-2R is the Lee Tumble Lube design bullet,it has multiple micro grooves to hold the lube when the bullets are tumble in a container with the liquefied bullet lube mixture.  Lee has Tumble Lube bullets for many of there bullet mold calibers. 

I shoot the CTL312-160-2R in my SKS and 54r Russian rifles with excellent results using my own TL mixture of Lee Alox and rendered down Johnson Paste Wax.  The TL bullets are designed to be shot as cast and need no sizing but can be sized somewhat as long as you don't remove the micro grooves doing so. 

In my case I've found all the TL bullets I cast shoot just fine as cast and I only use the correct size Lee push through sizer's for the bullet dia. to apply gas checks as needed of which the .310 and .314 push through sizer's do exactly what I need.  I also use the TL process on standard grease groove bullets as well mainly for lower velocity plinker loads with no gas checks.

The TL bullets and push through sizer's are designed to make it more economical for casters who can't afford the more expensive lubesizer setups.  My friend Cowboy T has a video on the subject,he's a bit comical at time but he gives you the basic idea of how the process works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuX86rXdDUg&feature=related

You can also ranch dip the TL bullets as well.
http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/Tips/Alox/

[flmason]

The CTL312-160-2R is the Lee Tumble Lube design bullet,it has multiple micro grooves to hold the lube when the bullets are tumble in a container with the liquefied bullet lube mixture.  Lee has Tumble Lube bullets for many of there bullet mold calibers. 

I shoot the CTL312-160-2R in my SKS and 54r Russian rifles with excellent results using my own TL mixture of Lee Alox and rendered down Johnson Paste Wax.  The TL bullets are designed to be shot as cast and need no sizing but can be sized somewhat as long as you don't remove the micro grooves doing so. 

In my case I've found all the TL bullets I cast shoot just fine as cast and I only use the correct size Lee push through sizer's for the bullet dia. to apply gas checks as needed of which the .310 and .314 push through sizer's do exactly what I need.  I also use the TL process on standard grease groove bullets as well mainly for lower velocity plinker loads with no gas checks.

The TL bullets and push through sizer's are designed to make it more economical for casters who can't afford the more expensive lubesizer setups.  My friend Cowboy T has a video on the subject,he's a bit comical at time but he gives you the basic idea of how the process works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuX86rXdDUg&feature=related

You can also ranch dip the TL bullets as well.
http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/Tips/Alox/

Thanks for pointing out my oversight.

So what happens if I pan lube a TL bullet? Cause problems or work OK?

[res45]

So what happens if I pan lube a TL bullet? Cause problems or work OK?

I did some just for kicks and they worked just fine.   I do pan lube some bullets but ranch dip most of my bullets now.  Here are a few I ranch dip and clean up in the sizer including the  CTL312-160-2R.

[flmason]

So what happens if I pan lube a TL bullet? Cause problems or work OK?

I did some just for kicks and they worked just fine.   I do pan lube some bullets but ranch dip most of my bullets now.  Here are a few I ranch dip and clean up in the sizer including the  CTL312-160-2R.

What's the one on the left?

I'm thinking a flat top bullet might just be the ticket at cast bullet velocities for hunting? (Assuming it feeds OK.) At least the handgun folks feel that way, and well, 240 gr. Keith type always worked for me.

[res45]

What's the one on the left?

Lee DC C309-170-F http://leeprecision.com/xcart/MOLD-D-C-C309-170-F.html
I shoot this bullet in my Sav. 30-30 pump gun.  As with most of my Lee molds it cast a little larger in dia. than stated on the box which is a plus,mine drops from the mold using WW alloy at just a little over .310 dia.

I shoot it as cast with two light coats of Alox/JPW lube and no gas check with 8.0 grs. of Alliant Red Dot for a light plinker/small game load in my 30-30 or I apply the gas check with the Lee .310 push through sizer and use a little softer alloy and push it at regular 170 gr. 30-30 velocity for larger game.

You should add this book to your casting library http://lbtmoulds.com/books.shtml as well as the  Lyman Cast Bullet manual.