I'm new to this guys so I hope this is not a stupid question.

I have some lead bullets with lube on them that I'd like to melt down and make into different size bullets. Do I have to remove the lube or does the lube act like flux and the worst I have to be concerned about is the smoke and stink?

I do it all the time. The lube acts just like a flux, though in lesser amounts if your talking about just a few bullets.

I too have remelted cast & lubed bullets. It might make a lot of smoke, but does act as a flux. You will want to do this outdoors or in a WELL ventilated room.

I must admit to having done this once or twice too. The only difference being that I strip out some of the lube with a trusty toothpick and save it for future fluxing. I'm not wealthy enough to burn up all that valuable lube in the smelting pot in one sitting. 'Sides, my neighbors will get suspicious if they see all that smoke.:D:D

Not a problem, I use bees wax for flux, I get it from the plumbers at work. I've done the same at times.

I got a bunch of bullets once at an estate sale. Coffee cans full of LLA lubed. Was a "unknown" maker and vintage, so I melted them down. Ended up with some really good/clean alloy. I remember that the LLA "burst into flame" when I gave the pot a stir. BE CAREFUL OF THAT!

Cheezywan

yep works fine, and OL'Cheezy is right, it will light right off, helps burn up the smoke somewhat.....I like to use beeswax for flux too...

as already said melt them suckers down , but watchout for the flames

If you must melt them down, light the smoke (on purpose) and let it burn, it will reduce the smoke some. Better to sell them or trade them to someone that can use them. Trade for other size bullets that you can use or for lead alloy to melt and make your bullets. It is a shame to wast all the time and effort that went into casting and lubing those bullets. PM me and let me know what size, weight and style bullets you have, if I can use them I can trade you lead alloy ingots or wheel weights for them.

I have about a dozen 500 grain bullets for a 45-70. Not enough to fuss over.

Flashhole,
Thanks for the info, Good luck with your casting.

Yep, I re-melt lubed bullets all the time... No big deal.
I do try to ignite the vaporized lubed, as it does burn.
Oddly enough, burning lube draws less attention than a great, big cloud of white lube.
A gas torch with the built in piezo igniter works well for this....


Happy Shootin'! -Tom