What type of lubricant is used on match grade ammunition?

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

This is actually a good question. Specifically, you're talking about what lubricates match grade ammunition. There are three different answers here. For match grade high power rifle ammunition, the jacket of the bullet, called gilding metal, provides the lubricant, which is basically dry. For center-fire match handgun ammunition, the jacketed bullets follow the same principle as a high power rifle ammunition. For cast bullet match ammo in handguns and black powder cartridge rifles, handloaders use a lubricant (grease) that is heavy on beeswax. Commercial loaders, such as Hornady, use either silica or motor mica as a dry lubricant on their cast lead bullets.

For rimfire ammunition... this gets interesting. American ammo makers (Remington, Winchester and CCI) have used a dry wax/beeswax finish on their lead bullet match grade .22s. Britian's Peley ammunition company (probably the manufacturer of the best match grade .22s) follow the same principle of the American manufacturers. I had read that RWS's match .22 ammunition actually uses whale fat/grease.

While it is true that you should never put oil or other lubricants on bullets, when you shoot lead bullets they must be lubricated to reduce lead fouling. It is also true that after you clean your rifle barrel (or pistol barrel) you should lightly oil the inside of the barrel to reduce the chances of rusting.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Back when I was shooting competitively, the first thing I did when I opened a box of ammo was wipe the bullets with a clean dry cloth (it got me in the habit of checking for irregularities and making sure there was no debris).

As for lubricating your barrel, that's primarily to keep rust from taking hold where you don't want it (which is ANYWHERE). Too much oil is as bad (and sometimes worse) than not enough.

Your ammo should be clean and dry and would never recommend putting any kind of lubricant directly on th bullet itself.

There are nyclad coated bullets out there, but that's primarily to
reduce fouling in the barrel and used by some police departments. I've fired them with some cop friends and wasn't real impressed....

Answer 3

Are you referring to 22 long rifle bullet coatings? or high velocity rifle bullets? You NEVER put lubrication oils on ammunition or anything liquid based.

Answer 4

I agree with free eagle and I would use Rem-oil for your barrel. Thats what my Dad uses for all of his guns

Rem Oil

http://www.remington.com/products/accessories/gun_care/oils_&_lubricants.asp

Answer 5

something with a lil teflon in it

Answer 6

Ky jelly or snot!