Clean bullets before loading?

[robert8904]

I load several rifle calibers and notice many bullets have an oily coating. I have been cleaning it off before loading, but is it worth the effort?

 

[Homerange]

Not IMO.
AFAIK it's to prevent tarnishing and I don't imagine how it might have any effect on our reloads other than to maybe reduce seating force.

 

[std7mag]

I don't personally.

But I trend towards the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid.

I'm not looking forward more work to do.

 

[6.5 forever]

I load several rifle calibers and notice many bullets have an oily coating. I have been cleaning it off before loading, but is it worth the effort?

I shoot Sierra Match Kings for sometime now. Recently I have noticed they have a waxy covering of some kind. And they are dull, not shiny. I have been wondering about cleaning...

 

[rwj]

I load several rifle calibers and notice many bullets have an oily coating. I have been cleaning it off before loading, but is it worth the effort?

What is your concern? Do the cleaned ones perform better (less muzzle velocity variation, smaller groups)?

I‘ve cleaned some bullets in a vibratory tumbler, but didn’t notice any difference other than their appearance.

 

[robert8904]

What is your concern? Do the cleaned ones perform better (less muzzle velocity variation, smaller groups)?

I‘ve cleaned some bullets in a vibratory tumbler, but didn’t notice any difference other than their appearance.

I'm only concerned about uniformity of neck tension since I have no way of knowing if there's the same amount on each bullet. I mainly notice the oily coating on Sierra and a slight oil/wax on several other brands. I'm likely over worried about this

 

[K22]

Your target will answer your question without any speculation.

 

[coldboreshot]

Maybe we can get some reps from bullet n
mfg's to weigh in here?

 

[6.5 forever]

Bergers are sure slick and clean!

 

[searcher]

I only first clean the bullets that I coat with moly. And that is only on bullets of certain manufacturers.

 

[ronemus]

I only first clean the bullets that I coat with moly. And that is only on bullets of certain manufacturers.

I moly all my bullets, so they first get a quick wash in Dawn. I wouldn't expect the oil/wax to be uniform, so I would remove it. All of my reloading is for accuracy, but it's probably acceptable to ignore it for plinking and short-range (<300 yds) hunting.

 

[DGP4]

I have bought every commercially produced bullet that I can think of. I have never bought bullets with an "oily coating". Rimfire bullets are all coated with wax or oil, but never a centerfire bullet.

 

[jelenko]

I load several rifle calibers and notice many bullets have an oily coating. I have been cleaning it off before loading, but is it worth the effort?

Could you give some examples of bullets with wax/lubricant on them?

 

[Larry Koch]

Take a box of a 100, clean 50 in 90 percent rubbing alcohol and leave the other 50 unclean. Load and test.
report back your findings.

 

[Homerange]

Could you give some examples of bullets with wax/lubricant on them?

Nosler 50gr BT's SST's are oily as anything....never been an issue.

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

clean 5, leave 5 alone. test to see if there is a difference on target.

 

[robert8904]

Could you give some examples of bullets with wax/lubricant on them?

Sierra are the most obvious. I used "coating" to describe it, but an oily film would be more accurate, Nosler CC have a thinner film. Even Bergers have a very thin waxy film.

 

[jelenko]

Interesting. I'm using S69, S77 and S80 now - I don't detect any film on them.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Call Sierra and ask them. I'm sure its not a company secret

 

[searcher]

I have bought every commercially produced bullet that I can think of. I have never bought bullets with an "oily coating". Rimfire bullets are all coated with wax or oil, but never a centerfire bullet.

I have bought bullets with an oily-type residue on them that was quite noticeable. Most bullets seem to be pretty "clean"
these days.