Lube bullets? Stupid question?

[JFootin]

Should any kind of lube be used on bullets to ensure slick feeding? What about wiping them with a silicone cloth before loading them? Would that stuff foul the barrel or cause a cleaning problem? Gun oil? Gun Butter? Stupid question, I know. But I don't have very much range experience and just don't know what best practice is regarding this.

[500KV]

What about wiping them with a silicone cloth before loading them?
I heard someone say they did this with some rounds, forget the brand/caliber, to make them easier to chamber.
I never tried it personally but sounds like it could help and sure wouldn't hurt anything.
You just wouldn't want to smear a lot of grease on them.

[Scimmia]

Lead bullets are lubed with a special lubricant already. NEVER lube a round with oil. Oil can penetrate into the round, deactivating the primer and/or powder.

[BEARDOG]

NO. Don't lube jacketed bullets with anything. It is not needed, and could seep in and contaminate the powder or primer. The gun should feed the cartridge as is. If it doesn't change to another ammo, or fix the gun and or magazine.

[OldLincoln]

Not a stupid question. It should not be necessary and they should feed just fine. I do recommend keeping the feed ramp shined and I do rub lube into it, but perhaps that's just a thing I do.

As others said, oil on loads isn't a good thing but I don't see harm in wiping the bullets themselves with something dry and slippery such as the silicone cloth. Like my working the ramp, it may be like the pilot smacking the side of the airplane as he climbs in for luck, but whatever works.

[500KV]

Wiping a bullet in a round with a silicone cloth is not going to contaminate anything.
I'd defy anyone to contaminate a round with a silicone cloth. Just ain't gonna' happen. :yo:

[Bawanna]

Wiping a bullet in a round with a silicone cloth is not going to contaminate anything.
I'd defy anyone to contaminate a round with a silicone cloth. Just ain't gonna' happen. :yo:

I agree and think that maybe the real benefit of wiping the bullet with the silcone cloth would be detecting burrs or abnormalities,(darn thats a big word for bawanna) that might hang things up.
I also agree that lubing the bullet etc isn't and shouldn't be needed. It should feed just fine if all it right.
I too per Old Lincolns habit keep the ramp clean and lightly lubed.

I know a few guys that balk at any kind of lube inside a magazine for fear of contaminating primers etc, 50 years ago that might have been an issue but short of direct contact with some very good penetrating oil I don't think modern day factory loads are easy to contaminate. Then again, why take chances either.

[kb2wji]

Once a month or so i'll take down my primary carry guns and give them a wipe down and light re-lube. Last step of the process is using my cleaning rag (with a little oil on it already) to wipe down my rounds. I'll just put all the rounds into the rag and swish it around a little bit. It gives them a little cleaning, and the very light coat of oil doesnt hurt anything.

I didnt think gun oil was a penetrating oil. WD-40 is penetrating, which obviously you wont use on a gun. I've never had a problem.

[Bawanna]

Gun oil isn't usually penetrating oil. I'm talking stuff like Kroil. That stuff just might get past a primer if you squirted it directly on the primer. It's good stuff.

I wouldn't put WD40 on a gun for anything. Its ok for squeaky screen door hinges, or drying out a distributor but not on a gun. Over time it will become an adhesive, not good for a gun.

[Scimmia]

I didnt think gun oil was a penetrating oil.


Gun oil isn't usually penetrating oil.

Sure it is. The vast majority of gun oils out there are setup as CLP type products, they're made to clean as well as lube. Cleaning requires penetration.

[Bawanna]

Sure it is. The vast majority of gun oils out there are setup as CLP type products, they're made to clean as well as lube. Cleaning requires penetration.

Technically your absolutely correct. My bad.

[JFootin]

Thanks, everyone. I just needed some knowledge. It looks like gun oil is a no, maybe silicone, but nothing is really needed.

[gagnejs8]

I agree, none is needed.

Some people say they lightly lube their 22LR bulk packs in certain guns if they are going to shoot them right away.