Very small tip

GSPguy

Member
The other night I was sizing some 45 bullets that were clear coated and it was tough getting them through the Lee Sizing die. I noticed and old candle that I use for fluxing. I rubbed my finger and thumb over the candle just to get a very lite coat on my fingers and then rubbed the next bullet. Boy did that make a huge difference. The next 30 to 40 went through like butter.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Maybe a quick roll across a sizing lube pad that's nearly dry? A whisper of Pam type cooking spray? I wonder if you rolled them over the waxed side of waxed paper?
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
I do the same but with a very small amount of unique case lube on my fingers. No need to rub it on the bullets, just picking them up and placing in the Star die is all it takes. Key words . . . Very small amount.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
Just an addition to the "tip".
If you are like me and resize the bullets before PC coating....run a small piece of Paper towel or whatever through the die with some naptha or thinner on it to get the lube out of it otherwise the PC coating will be compromised
 
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Bazzer

New Member
If you intend to coat the bullets after resizing then you should wash any wax off before coating with a suitable solvent. Remember that coating can add one or two thousands of an inch to the size, that’s why it’s preferable to resize after coating.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I just grab a previously sized and lubed bullet and run it thru every so often.
But yes, even a little lube can make a big difference.
 

Ian

Notorious member
Bama reported excellent results here about using a certain brand of wire-pulling lubricant when sizing bullets before powder coating. I don't recall exactly what he did but I'm not sure he washed it off at all before coating, in fact I think he was intentionally looking for something that didn't require that.
 

Ian

Notorious member
Finally. Here it is, he did wash the bullets but only in hot water, no solvents or chemicals:

 

Bazzer

New Member
Bama reported excellent results here about using a certain brand of wire-pulling lubricant when sizing bullets before powder coating. I don't recall exactly what he did but I'm not sure he washed it off at all before coating, in fact I think he was intentionally looking for something that didn't require that.
I used to pull wire for a cable company, we used crisco fat from the local food store, I don’t think it would be much good for bullets! Don’t think it’s water soluble lol