big bullet lube

[Gallahad]

Im making a big (600-700 gr.) bullet in 45-70. It has no lube grooves, but I have the option of flat base or gc base. Will lube stick to this bullet, and is a gc base a must? By the way, sorry this should have been in the swaging forum :oops:  Still appreciate replies

[Nobade]

I have tried smooth sided bullets with Lee liquid alox. They never did give as good accuracy as grease groove bullets, but they don't lead the bore either. What works well is to roll them on a table or something with a new, sharp file. It puts enough hatch pattern into the bullet to accumulate some of the liquid alox, and works quite well. I think Corbin also makes a knurling tool, which will do the same thing perhaps more elegantly.

[The Shrink]

Are you shooting black or smokeless?  I would suggest a paper patched flat base bullet.  It will be close to the original pill for the caliber.

Wayne the Shrink

[charlie45]

i like the file thing sounds like a person with access to a machine shop could make his own molds. perhaps with gas check. simular to thread rolling..

[Castaway]

Think you're working on a cause that only a tinkerer would undertake.  600 grains is very heavy for a 45-70, let alone a 700 grainer.  Even out of a Ruger # 1 with a generous leade, it would be hard to get enough powder in the case to give any degree of velocity.  To accelerate a bullet with that much inertia, you're talking the potential of alot of leading, even at moderate velocities.  I would think lube grooves should be there and be extra generous as well as an included a gas check.  As a matter of curosity, what niche do you have in mind for such a heavy bullet?

[The Shrink]

If you want a lot of lube, investigate lube cookies.  They will take space from your powder, though.  I'm still assuming you are shooting Black.  I've not heard of using lube cookies with smokeless, but I don't see why they wouldn't work.  

Wayne