Question on sizing and lubricating bullets for new Zouave rifle

nkbj · Dec 29, 2021

Depends upon how much lube you put in the base and what kind of lube you're using.
And, with some guns too much of which kind of lube in the base results in next shot hang fires and failures to fire. As always, it's a matter of developing a load to your piece* and purposes.

*Even how much back flow you're getting (worn out nipple) changes how lube in the base effects you.

OldSmoky1967 · Dec 29, 2021

Trot said:
I have a push through sizer that goes in my loading press. I then make cartridges with the little plastic tubes, put powder in, then bullet, nose first to the first ring, then dip the bullet in melted lube, let it harden.

Do you have a good source for the plastic tubes? I have some of the soft silicon like ones, but I like the hard plastic tubes better.... I just can't seem to find them.

Crow-Feather · Dec 29, 2021

bang said:
My Zouave bore is under so that a .575 lightly sized is a very light thumb pressure to start but rams smooth. I use a Lee mold. Made a sizer out of 3/8 steel and use a micro reamer to get size. Made a mandrel to fit the base. Use drill press to push through sizer.
Use a premixed 80% wax and 20% veg oil. Melt just at melting temp then dip mini in it. Leaves a nice coat. Excess coating shaves off but leaves enough lube.

I always worried about any lube above the rings as I thought that it might cause inaccuracy. ???

dave951 · Dec 29, 2021

Crow-Feather said:
I always worried about any lube above the rings as I thought that it might cause inaccuracy. ???

That pretty much gets sheared of in the loading process

Trot · Dec 29, 2021

OldSmoky1967 said:
Do you have a good source for the plastic tubes? I have some of the soft silicon like ones, but I like the hard plastic tubes better.... I just can't seem to find them.

I don't, I am using the same ones I have had for years, and I think I got them in a pile of used stuff!

User_Dan · Dec 30, 2021

I use needle nose pliers to dip them in a beeswax tallow mixture then use a push through sizing die. I store sized and lubed minies in glass test tubes. Works great

dave951 · Dec 30, 2021

OldSmoky1967 said:
Do you have a good source for the plastic tubes? I have some of the soft silicon like ones, but I like the hard plastic tubes better.... I just can't seem to find them.

I'll check on the part number for the hard one but the soft ones are what most folks like these days. I was told the plastic was changed in the new production hard ones and they now are subject to splitting after just a couple uses. I've already thrown out more than a couple for that reason. I have some soft ones that have lasted over 25 years.

RjSixgun · Dec 30, 2021

Plastic tubes can be found here
Product Detail (ssfirearms.com)

Grenadier1758 · Dec 30, 2021

Java77 said:
Thanks for the tips! I read another thread where someone purchased different sized plug gauges. I tried searching Amazon but could not find any.

Does anyone have a link? Also, what lune would you recommend?

You need to search for pin gauges.

dave951 · Jun 12, 2022

Here's a link to the ones we used originally, part #RCL-6 -

https://www.caplugs.com/p/long-threaded-connector-caps-rcl
Direct pricing looks to be $70+S&H/200, $178+S&H/1000

smoothshooter · Jun 12, 2022

Trot said:
I have a push through sizer that goes in my loading press. I then make cartridges with the little plastic tubes, put powder in, then bullet, nose first to the first ring, then dip the bullet in melted lube, let it harden.

Isn’t that pretty messy to handle when loading, especially in hot weather?

dave951 · Jun 12, 2022

smoothshooter said:
Isn’t that pretty messy to handle when loading, especially in hot weather?

Not if you have your lube right, beeswax to lube. We do it all the time in the N-SSA.

Tom A Hawk · Jun 12, 2022

Bruce said:
in the 1970s i put Crisco in the Minnie cavity, worked fine

Me too. My friend who got me interested was a member of the 1st NY Dragoons in Palmyra.

dave951 · Jun 12, 2022

Java77 said:
Thanks for the tips! I read another thread where someone purchased different sized plug gauges. I tried searching Amazon but could not find any.

Does anyone have a link? Also, what lune would you recommend?

Here ya go-

https://www.amazon.com/HHIP-4103-05...065533&sprefix=pin+gauge+.575,aps,104&sr=8-19
I recommend .575, .577, .579, .581. By using just that set, you can determine bore dia unless the bore is way under or over sized.

Trot · Jun 13, 2022

smoothshooter said:
Isn’t that pretty messy to handle when loading, especially in hot weather?

No, not at all. The lube is pretty solid once it cools. I use a combination of beeswax and olive oil for lube, you can adjust the ratio to suit your needs.

ZUG · Jun 13, 2022

I use beeswax and lard and apply it to the minie like this

tomm9903 · Jun 14, 2022

I like to heat up the crisco then dip the Minnie’s into it then set them off to cool and dry. Has worked well for me for many years. I do the same with the Lee REAL bullets for my Hawken, but first I use a glue stick to adhere the felt base wad then give it a dip. Once cooled it goes in the barrel as one unit. That has worked very well also.

Stantheman86 · Jun 14, 2022

I can do a lot with a candle wax melter, push thru sizers and an arbor press

tomm9903 · Jun 15, 2022

I’ll have to say that I have not run any of my Minnie’s through a sizing die. Just shoot them as cast and had zero problems with them.

Question on sizing and lubricating bullets for new Zouave rifle

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