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Alox OK for rifles?
Friends,
Perhaps someone can answer a question, or solve a problem, for me.
My Krag seems to like cast bullets that are a tad larger than .310. I've been using Lyman 311284, sizing to .310. That holds the gas check on firmly.
I was wondering if Lee's Liquid Alox could handle velocities of say 1700 fps. If so, I could use unsized bullets lubed with liquid alox. I could seat the gas check and size the bullet just enough in the sizing die to crimp the gas check on tight.
What do you think? Might this work? Or, am I going to end up with a badly leaded bore?
I'm not much of an experimenter - I've reloaded a ton of ammo and cast tons of bullets but always following in the path of others. I don't want to really screw this up.
Thanks for any advice or suggestions.
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Bore leading depends on how hard your material is and how fast you push your bullets. 1700 could be just a bit fast. I don't have any respect for Lee alox and their theory of unsized bullets. I tried it with 38 spl about 25 years ago and it was a miserable failure. Leading, cartridges wouldn't fit and all the headaches you can handle. Messy too. I still hav ti so I can mix it with bees wax to make 50-50. I've done thousands with the Lyman and RCBS sizer lubricators and the appropriate size die. If you want to be a bit bigger then get that size die. I strongly suggest gas checks for something like the Krag. Unless you go real slow or real hard you can't stop leading. The rifling may not be agressive enough to hold the bullet from skipping right on through.
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What is the worst that could happen, leading? The major cause of leading is undersize bullets. If you can get a reasonable clearance in the chamber go as fat as possible. I shot some GC bullets plainbase 0.309 with a smidge of Bullseye and got leading after five rounds in a M1917. With 0.312+ no leading with the same charge. I would go 0.311 if possible, a GC and Alox. Keep an eye on the accuracy and if it goes south, try pan lubing with one of the commercial lube and see if that prevents leading. At 1500 fps I never clean my 1903A3 except a wet patch of Ed's Red after shooting and a couple of dry patches prior to shooting. I go 0.314 and use a GC
Wineman
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I use a 155 gr bullet lubed with the Lee Liquid Alox in a M1903 & get best accuracy a5 1550 fps with no leading. Bullets are cast from either wheel weights or Lyman #2 alloy.
Another factor is boor condition; any pitting or rough spots will cause leading. If your bore is smooth, you should be OK. Try the Lee .311" sizer, http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.c...ir=210|212|602 that will seat the GC and barely touch the bullet.
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Thanks guys. You've given me much to think on and work on. I'm sure I can get this Krag shooting better than it is. Your help is much appreciated.