Homemade Bullet Lubes From Home Depot Pan Lubing - Beginning To End

From the Modified English Dictionary: Waccident n. any spilling or mishap accident with the melted wax when doing pan lubing of cast bullets. This video was published on Patreon a week ago, now posted on KZbin. Bastichforhire would like to know if our homemade bullet lube made from Home Depot toilet seal wax rings can be used for pan lubing...Now, I hate pan lubing because of the mess, but let's go ahead and delve into my memory banks to see if we can pan lube successfully with minimal mess, and definitely - - no waccidents..!!

[@justadbeer]

Just an FYI. Wax rings w/o the plastic flange are also available and cost even less ; )

[@jhk5862]

Sure beats the heck out of paying 6 to 8 bucks a tube for actual bullet lube. Thanks for a great money saving tip. :-)

[@Kito66j1]

Thank you again for another fine instructional. I've been learning a great deal from you and began casting for the first time this past spring with great success right off the bat. No leading on any of my pistols.

[@haywoodjablomy1361]

Metal coffee cans are a rare commodity these days....and soon to be heirlooms!

[@johnscarfe]

I use a bulk ketchup metal can, make my own BBQ sauce so I was using a lot of ketchup anyway. Pinch part of the rim a bit to make a pour spout and heat up the wax double-boiler style to avoid flash over/fire.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Haywood Jablomy - Now that you mention this, it's a great reason to save a few coffee cans... Merry Christmas, Steve

[@nathanarnoldy7549]

Vegetables still come packaged in gallon cans. Ask at your local diner or cafeteria or dumpster dive.

[@haywoodjablomy1361]

@@nathanarnoldy7549 Ahh, yes. The #10 can will probably still be with us for quite a while. But I'd start stockpiling them now...just in case. lol

[@haywoodjablomy1361]

@@FortuneCookie45LC And a Happy New Year to you, Cookie.

[@HobbiesHobo]

Seasons Greetings Cookie, thanks for all you do for our hobby, from Canada, Mike

[@sleeperno1215]

This idea about the Home Depot beeswax is gold!

[@organicmaterialsciencecorp6115]

Sir you did such a good job as usual. Welcome to reloading family.

[@cokfarm1339]

My man I would like to thank you for your videos! Recently have been getting into reloading and you have helped me along my journey so much I appreciate it!

[@marvinrayweast]

I started pan lubing a long time ago. I reload for a Sharps and High wall, 45/70 and 45/90. I came across a good supply of Alox and the bees supply the wax. I use a 50/50 mixture. I shoot as cast, no resizing. After a lot of experimenting with the time factor I have found that after the lube is firm enough to pick the tray up, I put the tray in the freezer for 12 minutes. Any longer and the lube is too firm to press the bullets out and get full grooves. Any sooner and the lube is still too soft and will smear out of the grooves. When it is just right a push with the thumb and they come out clean and lubed and ready to load. So from the time I pour the lube until I am loading bullets is usually around 20 minutes. With a different lube mixture you will have to play with the time to get it just right. I got rid of the Lube Sizer.

[@CMac503]

Round metal cake pans from the Dollar Store work great for pan lubing. Cheap and last a long time.

[@MrMace313]

The powder coat looks like dull copper or bronze, I love it.

[@11C1P]

It's criminal that you don't have way more subscribers.

[@southronjr1570]

Couple of tidbits I might could add, not sure about msmokeless powder but I do know that paraffin forms a type of asphalt in your barrel when used with blackpowder. Also, you can pick up a fairly cheap boy scout type camping mess kit with one of the 1 qt saucepans with a top to melt your lube in and it not only comes with a handle, it comes with a top that can be snapped over it for storage and some even have a little pour spout making pan lubing a bit less messy.

[@alanwilliamson2259]

Good video ! I custom make cutters to slide over my projectiles and cut wax...I had not seen this method.

[@greglaroche1753]

Interesting as usual. Now I am waiting to see the results at the range and how well they prevent leading as well as accuracy. Thanks for the video.

[@devinfletcher2643]

Awesome idea. Thanks for posting great reloading info!

[@williamgaines9784]

I had a tubular cutter that cut the bullets free from the cake and the bullets would come out the other end. You could get 3 or 4 cut and then the 4th or 5th would come out the top and you could put them in another tray or box. I had only cast for 38spl/357mag, it was fun. With the state of television and other electronic media, outside a few great KZbin channels, being virtually useless and disgusting, I might need to break all my old reloading equipment out to a make better use of my time. My lead melting pot might not work after 35 years, but I should try to find out. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@monkeyship74401]

Great, there has been a run on wax rings at my local Home Depot... ;) Just kidding. I have a ton of parafin from a reject batch of Histology embedding medium and now I know how to make use of it. (new in packaging, not used.) Thank you for all the good info.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

monkeyship74401 - I'm visiting up here in Washington State and plan on cleaning out the local Home Depot of all their plain wax rings. Merry Christmas to you, Steve

[@bertbertmann5823]

Had a good laugh recently over here in Germany, a fellow reloader asked where to get wax rings in local home improvement stores. Alas, german toilets use rubber or urethane rings 🤣

[@453421abcdefg12345]

I find it much easier, and cheaper, to go and see the local Beekeeper, he will give you as much Beeswax as you want.

[@iamtheomega]

which is smart because wax rings are Horrible, they fail frequently: planned obsolescence

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

BB - That is humorous for sure. Best to ya, BB Steve

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

@@iamtheomega - Interesting - an engineering friend of mine recommends using a double stack wax ring for any toilet installations or repairs - really works well. Merry Christmas to ya, Steve

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

@@453421abcdefg12345 - I've found beeswax to be an expensive item...Merry Christmas to you, Steve

[@jefferyboring4410]

I’ve lubed a lot of bullets hand style with those toilet rings. Just straight smeared it in the grooves. It works . Amazing how little u actually need

[@steveshooter9010]

Happy Christmas!

[@aoprngvua2]

Outstanding video good sir! Thank you for sharing this technique

[@453421abcdefg12345]

I find the easiest ,and less messy way to remove the bullets from the lube is to take a fired case, drill a hole through the primer pocket, insert a 3/16" large head screw,(because it has a round head), with the head on the inside of the case, then when you push the case over the submerged bullet it shears the bullet out neatly, you then hold the case over a container and push down on the screw which ejects the perfect bullet into the box, easy and no mess as you have not touched the lubed bullet with your hands.

[@pacman10182]

cookie cutter

[@453421abcdefg12345]

@@pacman10182 Yes, a cookie cutter but with a built in ejector, this makes the job of extracting the lubed bullets much quick/cleaner, but you need to use a fired case or open up the case neck with the expander.

[@4d4Spl]

A half century ago, before I had a sizer, that's the way I did it. Except I used a nail with a rounded bent end to keep from puncturing my finger. I called it the "Cookie Cutter" method (no pun intended). lol

[@johncunningham9016]

That's the exact way I pan lube. I bought ready made "cookie cutter" device made from a 45/ 70 cartridge, that was necked down to .360". I've pan lubed thousands of 9mm, and .38/.357 bullets with that setup.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

@Tom Armstrong Yes I used to cut them out like that, but it does entail a certain amount of handling, with the ejector rod you never touch them as they drop into the box where you place them all standing up neatly.

[@Mav8887.]

Miss my Lubesizer! I was just going to alox but this is awesome I totally forgot about pan lubing. Sucks KZbin is for kids now! Fortune Cookie 🥠 and many others would have really blown up if we were allowed to show the full reloading process, etc! The good old days man

[@countryboy4542]

Up to the early 70's Lyman had something called a 'cake cutter' that was a tube slightly sharpened & the size of the bullet. You melted the lube in a metal pan with the bullets standing in it, once cooled you pushed the cake cutter down over the bullets cutting away the lube & the bullet pushing up in the cake cutter. Leaving the lube in the pan, set more bullets in the holes, melt & add just a little bit of lube. The bullets could be used or sized with a 310 tool. Lee made a similar luber in the 70's. 2:00 am 12-25-20, Merry Christmas

[@edbecka233]

I used that Lee kit complete with cutter and sizer set. It was a major PITA and time suck and I thought way back then, "why don't they THREAD this stinkin die?"

[@dowdawg]

Man this is just the coolest idea what a great job it does!!!

[@s.e.8719]

I usually like your videos, but this one deserves a like just for “waccidents”

[@robpennington9237]

Hey FC! please publish the recipe for this lube. the ratio for wax ring to parafin is important

[@AZVIDS]

Another great video! Thanks Professor👍🏻

[@mrhamburger6936]

I wouldn't be surprised if the ATF raids home Depot

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

mr hamburger - That's hilarious, but no one is laughing... Merry Christmas, Steve

[@padywac1970]

I imagine the ATF is freaking out because people are sharing the most dangerous thing on earth....knowledge. People in power hate an informed populous.

[@mrhamburger6936]

@@padywac1970 very true

[@1982nsu]

@@FortuneCookie45LC Please be aware! 4:02 Melting wax or paraffin requires a larger pot with water to hold the can you're melting in. The method shown in this video is an extreme FIRE HAZZARD! Direct heat will cause the wax to vaporize and IGNITE!

[@rickmanley767]

I didn’t think ATF would show up to a place where they can’t shoot your pet first.

[@mwmsupremacia7739]

I uses 454 Casul cartridge for cuting wax from 45 ACP lube cavities.

[@leeleland1183]

Quicker too!

[@PhilJLF]

Awesome video ! Reminds me of those old Remington .22 clean bore ammo, I’m sure these are way better though lol

[@edgarkeck3010]

Great video! Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@royshobe6642]

Thanks for making this video

[@T-Shire]

Are we brothers? I’m not Asian but I think we’re brothers. Great job man!

[@mikescooling]

I have a sizer/luber, with a heater for the lube. It's seems to do a good job

[@petalexben4227]

only look if the the lube rings stay the same ,some lube and sizer tend to bring the bullet out center , use a flat top punch and not the special made the lee sizer method is proberly better nose first. .

[@Zorbawon]

Make a double boiler out of two different size cans. The larger can will have water in it to allow even heat on the inner can that is holding the wax. You will not have to continue stirring and makes the job much easier.

[@michaelallsup1]

You can also mix in old crayons. I save all wax to mix in for my lube. The toilet rings themselves are just to soft these days. Sometimes it takes a little playing around letting your mix cool down then check if it is as firm as you want but goes a long ways once you make up a good batch.

[@rustybayonetcom]

Merry Christmas

[@raymondmichael3077]

Big Thanks!

[@StratRider]

going to need the ratio of wax ring to paraffin or candle wax - just in case I ever run out of powder coating

[@jonbraddock5545]

His amounts almost look 1:1

[@edbecka233]

It's variable depending how much stiffness you want to add. Start with about 2 parts potty ring, I part crayon/candle/canning paraffin, and if you want a bit of extra ALOX in there just squirt some of that otherwise-useless Lee LA into your melt.

[@robinsvarrer4299]

Toilet ring wax is a paraffin called microcrystalline- haven't been any beeswax rings for awhile, good news is toilet rings are still useful in developing the mixture ( softer and stickier than pure beeswax)

[@lewhone6325]

I use surf board wax and mix it with Lee alox bullet lube. I stand them up the same but I use a flexible neoprene cake tray and just peel it off when they cool.

[@peteralexben]

i did lube bullets in a electric themp controled frying pan ,just dump the bullets , in the basket in the molten wax , a, carnuba ,parafine ,and beewax mix. and shake them af and dump them on wax paper. you get a film over the whole bullet like a 22lr

[@gman77gas]

Soooo nice!

[@gman77gas]

Did your wife loose some Christmas candles?

[@tyrvidar]

great stuff, and subscribed!

[@cowboycandyvending1574]

Wow thank you .i just keep learning 😄how to make my 44 mag cast bullets .and lee 1 /0z slugs ....its fun too...

[@chrislettenmaier6822]

The old way before paraffin wax was bees wax. If you are around places or know someone with bees it will work. I have a 1873 Winchester rifle that is a 44-40 and have spent a long time looking up how they loaded this ammo then. I have found that bees wax was the lube used.

[@freedom-vc9wi]

Good thing i have a old pan lubing kit 🙂

[@jamesvatter5729]

No STP oil treatment? Steve, It looks like you found a lesser expensive pan lubing recipe.Good stuff!

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

JV - Thanks for the comment. I've found that adding a teaspoon of Lee Case Sizing Lube (It's included for free in some Lee products) is a good additive also for our wax ring / paraffin bullet lube. Merry Christmas to you, Steve

[@360S0DJefferson]

Try adding some Liquid Alox and some transmission fluid to your mix. You'll have to figure out the ratio, but I think you'll love the results in your firearm's barrel. :)

[@ArcanusLibero]

Nice...

[@littlebiscuits]

never noticed before with those wax rings but it sure looks like beeswax

[@aussieshooter5358]

Merry Christmas FortuneCookie45LC maaate!

[@JohnDoeEagle1]

I could see using this for cast lead and powder coated .300 Blackout bullets. The powder coat is enough, but a gas check and or pan lubing after powder coating would be even better.

[@MrVonfelde]

On a casting subject: you seem to be against smoking molds as Lee suggests. Why? Are they any negatives to smoking a mold? Thanks, and Merry X-mas!

[@louislarose6613]

Great Video FortuneCookie45LC ! Merry Christmas from Canada !

[@franksimpson9039]

very informative and thought provoking as always -thank you what kind of mold did that .45 heavy wadcutter bullet come from ???? headed to home depot !!

[@edbecka233]

When I first started loading and casting, I used the Lee pan lubing kit. I wish I'd thought of simply pushing the bullets out of the cake instead of using the kit's cutter. I intentionally made my lube harder than commercial sticks, and had to put the cutter on a box with a recess in the lid, and push the bullets out with a dowel. It was almost as difficult to remove them from the cutter as it was to pound them through the first generation unthreaded "push through" sizer with the included punch. That sizer was a trip as well; I had to twist the punch and sizer apart with opposing vise-grips after each bullet. That said, I was a young broke LEO trying to keep myself in training ammo, and loaded many thousands of rounds in that fashion, on a single station press. What I would have given for a lubrisizer and a progressive press back then ('70s)!!!!

[@nickross133]

I thought you were doing the hot lead zone take on peanut brittle, bullet brittle.

[@mcscheck2000]

4 out of 5 Dentists recommend...

[@jonbumcrot2934]

I used to pan lube until I discovered powder coating and (Harbor Freight red). Dollar store religious candle s are a good source of wax too.

[@davekri1662]

Happy New Year Mr FC! For my clarity, is it necessary to lube powder coated (p/c) bullets or was this a training video and all your bullets happened to be p/c? To be sure sir you are a GENIUS! You put the "M" on MacGyver. I wish I could know you in person. You are quite knowledgeable in everything.

[@mausercal65]

How do you know how much paraffin to add to one of the rings ?

[@Prepare2Survive]

Experimenting will let you know how much to add. You want it to be firm, but not too hard. Start off with less and if it's still too soft melt it back down and add more. In the summer you might want the mix to be a little harder and in the winter a little softer.

[@mausercal65]

@@Prepare2Survive thanks 😊

[@davidunderwood3605]

Very nice presentation. I would have bent the top of the can for a pour spout and wore ruber gloves to push em out. But a wooden dowel would work too. No matter what your system works. Would like a side by side at the range smoke test with the more conventional factory bullet lubes. As some of those factory lubes claim they are lower smoke over others. And I'm not sure how accurate that would be as I've seen a lot of smoke from modern powders on many videos when using factory loaded FMJ's in some fast shooting demos and slow fire too.

[@rayst.2934]

I just lubed my .44paper cartridges with wax I bought at Home Depot (toilet Bowl seal.I"let you know how they shoot.

[@jasonborn2598]

Did you copper plate the 45 wad cutters if you did that would make a good video.

[@thereindeertherabbitthebat592]

I was thinking the same thing. Those came out lookin great!

[@youssefa5137]

I could not find where youemtion the exact/approximate ratio of ring wax to candle wax. Could you elaborate?

[@johnthompson9513]

Dollar Tree has lots of candles I've bought blocks of paraffin at walmart

[@kaptkrunchfpv]

Does this lube method surpass the powder coated method?

[@mikerussell6212]

Casting bullets is fine ,but you can't get powder or primers ,I guess I'll make a slingshot I live in the country of california !

[@joelopezjl28]

Why lube powder coated bullets?

[@michiganguy9649]

I just wondering if you can tell me if 38 cold automatic would use the same brass as a super automatic so I can I can find a 38 Colt to reload for it

[@edbecka233]

.38 Super and .38 ACP are dimensionally identical. The idiots who shot Super ammo in non-Super ACPs are the reason the ammo companies make magnum chambers and cases longer than special chambers and cases. Use ACP data, not Super data, when you make ACP ammo.

[@arthurdevain754]

If I were to do pan-lubing, I would first push my cast bullets through a sizing die of appropriate diameter. And since the sizing die allows lubricant to be squeezed into the grease grooves of the bullet, why bother pan-lubing?

[@johnhale9686]

Your pretty sharp for a old guy. lol

[@MegaRiffraff]

Do you get anything from the commercials at the beginning of your video? If not I'm going to skip them .

[@Scottcarpenter373]

I just tried this method on 405 gr .45/70 and 170 gr .30 bullets cast from Lee molds. The result was dismal. Not one usable bullet from the entire lot.

[@kevinmarrett9532]

Is this lube useable for smokeless powder?

[@johndziegelewski6111]

Hello fortune cookie 45 Question; I have 38sp 158 gr powder coated comes up 160_gr. I use w231 can’yt find powder charge for same should I use 158 gr. powder charge data?

[@mattrowe1229]

a question or 2, would the powder coat actually keep the bulet from expanding as much to fill the grooves, and do you lube the powder coated bullets a little as well.

[@rolandcharland4121]

I love your videos I especially like the fact that you look into products and processes rather than just accepting them I have been loading buckshot loads of all types and really enjoying myself but so many loads now require Buffer I have seen no difference in accuracy with or without but my main issue is what is buffer is it flour is it baking soda is it ? It is very expensive if I am paying for something I like to know what I am paying for do you have any idea or comments on the subject by the way love the subject on bullet lube amazing thank you fortune cookie for your ear

[@electromech7335]

Does it smoke as much as 45/45/10 tumble lube does?

[@robaldridge6505]

what's that .45 wad cutter ??? is it Matts ?

[@monkeyship74401]

You know the target shooters, they want the cleanest hole in the paper and full wc is the way to do it.

[@jimthompson8108]

to change the subject just started pc to lub the bullet why can't we use other soft metal like aluminum i am just a getting into pc and i thought i would someone that would know thanks

[@nebelwerfer199]

Why when there is powder coating?

[@monkeyship74401]

Like Justin Wilson used to say " I'm a Safety Man, so Belt and Suspenders here." My guess is that's what he had on hand to do the demo with???

[@shadowcastre]

You need lube to shoot black powder even when powder coated.

[@michaelkaiser1864]

@@shadowcastre soften the fouling?

[@RJ-sr5dv]

@@shadowcastre Yes but not with ANY petroleum based lube material. The toilet rings these days are not beeswax. The petroleum based products will turn the inside of your barrel to tar If you want a good black powder lube I can look through my archives for you. It consists of beeswax, lanolin and tallow.. for the tallow I cook up some bacon and drain the grease thru a coffee filter into a jar

[@michaelkaiser1864]

@@RJ-sr5dv thanks for schooling me! Guess you could do a version of bear fat with rendered fat and crisco? Would like to find a "cap" maker. Was about to get another front stuffer but no caps. May just go flint. Just not as weather reliable. I figured the alox from rings would do as well as in my fixed ammo. Didnt consider how dirty bp is. Its been a few years since i had one. Miss it. 1860 colt in 44.

[@jims261]

FortuneCookie what happen to all of your bullet casting videos? Have you or will you put them up on Rumble?

[@williamcrawford7982]

Use tea kettle to melt & pour 👍

[@MrMace313]

Is that powder coat a mix of different colors and brands?

[@christopherpeterson1400]

Do you use a sizing die for 12ga slugs? Where can I get one?

[@longuecarbine]

How do you like the 45-70 bullets from your mould? I think I just bought the same hollow base bullet mould at a gun show on the weekend and am wondering how you find them accuracy wise?

[@wizardofahhhs759]

I don't see why Gulf Wax from the grocery store won't work, it's sold in the canning and preserving isle.

[@Prepare2Survive]

It's too hard, but you can add vasaline to it to soften it up.

[@michaelkaiser1864]

He pretty much did with his mix. Hardens the soft wax a tad.

[@gresvig2507]

It's too hard and you can shatter it and make it fall off when you size or load. And (anecdotally, not sure any real big tests have been done) it doesn't seem to protect from leading and fouling as well as beeswax and various petroleum products. It's great to add and make your wax harder and more stable, though. From using it for other stuff I would bet that pure parrafin would just blast out as a powder and not coat the barrel at all.

[@edbecka233]

Paraffin is NOT beeswax. It has completely different properties and can sweat liquid petroleum fractions which will kill primers and powder.

[@michaellankford8358]

I made a batch of lube from toilet bowl ring and the gulf wax..took quite alot more gulf wax to get it hard as I wanted.. Just had to play around with mix to get it right...too soft it's sticky ....to hard it cracks and won't stick....just melted in a big Pyrex measuring cup in microwave oven....after finishing I just put pieces of lube back in measuring cup and cover with plastic wrap... It's ready to go again... 1 whole toilet bowl ring and enough gulf wax to get the mixture hard enough makes quite a bit of lube...BTW...lube is not really smokey and no leading on 38 special at 850 fps....now only powdercoat cast bullets forsmokeleas loads

[@murphytoadster9864]

This seems like way too much work. I like the idea of using wax rings to make the lube. But that process of pushing the bullet by hand seems too long for such a small amount of ammo

[@jonleone777]

Be careful with the tpilet rings. They are not beeswax, they ars slag wax that contains chemicals that make it work for its intended pupose.

[@kdmmcc7284]

Are toilet was rings natural or a they a petroleum based wax? Asked for use (or not use) for blackpowder.

[@englishrupe01]

NOT natural.....do NOT use them for black powder.

[@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill]

Can you tumble lube with liquid ALOX all bullets or just lee tumble lube style bullets?

[@husqv5147]

All bullets work well with Alox, they need not be the tumble lube variety

[@Prepare2Survive]

45-45-10 tumble lube uses ALOX as an ingredient and the 45-45-10 lube works better than just straight ALOX

[@ocean374]

I’m looking for a exact recipe amount for rifle velocity like over 2,000 FPS and will it need a heater thank you

[@Prepare2Survive]

Traditionally lubed bullets don't do very good above 2000 fps without gas checks. With powder coating it works better at higher velocities.

[@AUCTIONCAT2011]

Is pure beeswax too hard?

[@johnsaia9739]

A safer method, I am sure you are aware of is put the can in a pan or pot of water and boil it.

[@matthewcaldwell6763]

So does the waxing help with full copper jacket loads or do you need the lead cast loads?. This isnt the same as gas checks is it?

[@JohnDoeEagle1]

Full metal jacket bullets don't need or have any wax lube. A gas check is a thin copper plate disk you press and crimp on the bottom of a cast bullet. Cast lead bullets need wax lube in the grooves. If you powder coat them you don't need any lube but if you did add some after powder coating it might make them shoot a liitle better.

[@richardschaffling9882]

I do woodturning and I melt my wax in the microwave

[@justmeok45]

WhT is the ratio of wax ring and paraffin?

[@waderigsbee6923]

watch the first home depot vitdeo

[@keevinboling5635]

I made all the bullet Lube I could ever use years ago. I thought the powder coating was supposed to end all these problems, is there issueswith powder coating, and leading of the barrel? I haven’t seen it with all the powder coated bullets that I am shooting. Pretty soon will be powder coating lubing and using gas checks.

[@shadowcastre]

Powder coating does take care of all those issues... but to shoot black powder, you still need lube.