BP vs. Smokeless lubes

Flinch Morningwood · July 16, 2009, 11:38:38 AM

This may be a dumb question but...

I am shifting to shooting some smokeless loads from virtually all BP - and am wondering if I can use the same lube I have been using? It will ne a pain to have to switch out my lube sizer reservior everytime I switch...

My curent lube:

2 lbs Beeswax
1 lb lanolin
16 oz Canola (rapeseed) oil

Thanks!

Delmonico · July 16, 2009, 11:50:16 AM

Should work fine at CAS velocities. I would,'t use it with my 2400 fps 22 Hornet loads or my 2000 fps 375 Winny loads though.

Flinch Morningwood · July 16, 2009, 11:52:45 AM

I am looking at 45 LC and 38-40 WCF...both at CAS velocities.

Thanks.

Dirty Brass · July 16, 2009, 02:55:12 PM

I'd agree - at those moderate velocities it shouldn't make a difference which is used.

Fox Creek Kid · July 17, 2009, 02:09:55 AM

Velocity has nothing to do with a good BP lube. You need one that is soft yet will still hold up in the heat. Soft is always better for BP lube as you need to keep the fouling soft for successive shots.

For BP questions come over the Darksider Forum. Here's a thread on lubes:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,4151.0.html

Dirty Brass · July 17, 2009, 07:34:41 AM

Quote from: Fox Creek Kid on July 17, 2009, 02:09:55 AM
Velocity has nothing to do with a good BP lube. You need one that is soft yet will still hold up in the heat. Soft is always better for BP lube as you need to keep the fouling soft for successive shots.

For BP questions come over the Darksider Forum. Here's a thread on lubes:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,4151.0.html

I'm sorry - I guess I always related velocity with friction, and thus heat. My mistake. BTW, I think this question was referrng to using smokeless powders.

Delmonico · July 17, 2009, 08:12:00 AM

It was and his lube will work fine as per original question.

Montana Slim · July 23, 2009, 08:41:55 PM

I use my homebrew BP lube for the relatively few smokeless bullets I shoot in handguns.
- .44-40 cowboy revolver and rifle, 200 gr RNFP around 725 fps (revolver).
- .44 Magnum Ruger SBH revolver, 225 gr RNFP around 950 fps
. Zero leading in all of the above.
In the cowboy guns I'm able to switch back to BP without a pre-cleaning.
Much better performance than the waxy hard lube bullets.

I also suggest care not to use too "soft" a jube with smokeless as I've seen it melt in the heat & affect the powder. This particular situation was at a long-range sidematch at NCOWS NATs (years ago). Shooter was using SPG. It was quite hot that year.

Regards,
Slim