Test, water-based bullet lube with APP

[Jack Wagon]

I replaced my usual bullet lubricant ( Lee Liquid Alox) with Lee water-based Resizing Lubricant to see how well it would work with APP powder..  The benefits of Lee resizing lubricant are; odorless, dries clear, not sticky and plain water clean-up. The rifle is a well used M1865 with a .518 well worn barrel. The load is 35 gr. 3F Shockey's Gold (American Pioneer Powder), Starline case and WWLR primmer. The bullet an unsized .520 Rapine 520375, half WW/ soft lead. I heated up the bullets and tumbled lubed them with resizing lubricant and let them dry. As a first test I fired 42 rounds at a 25 yd. target with no barrel cleaning. After the first  20 the group began to expand and after 30 I began to get some flyers out to the 5 and 6 ring. I got a little barrel leading which is normal for this gun which I attribute to the rough condition of the bore. The good news is the barrel cleaned up with just plain water and one patch. The cases were rinsed in plain water and looked like new inside and out. I think a wet patch every couple of magazines will keep the barrel from fouling out, which I will try next time.  JW