I'm new to reloading, but through all of the posts I've read,
I haven't come across this question.

Is there a risk of soft lube leaking past the ribs and getting
into the powder? On a hot day, is it possible to saturate
the powder with lube?

What caused the shift to hard lubes?

Thanks,

Dave

There are others here with much more knowledge on this subject than I, but I will offer my opinion anyway. I don't think that under normal circumstances there is any danger of soft lube melting to any extent that would cause a problem. From what I have found, I think most folks here prefer soft lubes, as do I. I have recovered fired bullets with hard lube that still had all the lube in the grooves and looked like it could be loaded and shot again. That lube did not do much lubing during its trip down the barrel. The only advantage to hard lubes I have seen is hard lubes are cleaner to handle and ship bullets in bulk quantities.

Exactly right TedH. I much prefer the softer lubes for their better performance.

cant stand hard lubes there useless that being said when using any lube make sure you wipe the lube off the base of the bullet that will contaminate your powder. Just do an experiment with some that have lube on them shoot them over a chorgraph and see. Ive seen it so bad that they sounded like .22 shells going off. I learned to wipe the lube off the bases. Now i have a star and the lube on the base isnt a problem anymore

cant stand hard lubes there useless that being said when using any lube make sure you wipe the lube off the base of the bullet that will contaminate your powder. Just do an experiment with some that have lube on them shoot them over a chorgraph and see. Ive seen it so bad that they sounded like .22 shells going off. I learned to wipe the lube off the bases. Now i have a star and the lube on the base isnt a problem anymore

I'm a new caster. I was considering trying Lyman Orange Magic because it seems much cleaner than the Super Moly I was using (my lube/sizer just went dry), but you guys are scaring me off. Super Moly seems to have worked well in the 6.5mm - 8mm military rifles I load for. Can I expect more leading with Orange Magic?

Thanks,
Jeff

If your Super Moly was working for the rifle bullets, 3line, I wouldn't change - stick with it. Just hate the messy stuff, myself.

Been using the Lee Alox for the handguns (only cast bullets shot) with moderate success. 'Course, the handgun loads aren't cranked up too high, either.

You didn't say whether you're using gas checks, or not. Also, how fast you have them loaded. Suspect with any lube, if the velocity gets too high there will be some leading.

3line, that Super Moly is really good stuff. Keep using it unless you make or acquire Felix lube. sundog

Here comes the contrarian!
I used Micro Lube for many years. With my experience, it was superior to the available Lyman stuff. This started 25 years ago. The Micro Lube was harder then the Lyman stuff and seemed to work better at higher velocities. I loaded buckets of 45 Colt, 45 ACP, 45-70, 357/38 Spec, 44 Spec. lubed with Micro Lube.
When I learned of LBT Blue, I dropped the Micro Lube and never looked back. I use the LBT for all of the above as well as 375 Whelen, 243 Win., 44 Mag, 454 Casull, and soon 405 Winchester. I've not had any leading, the accuracy is great and it's not messy to work with.
When I was using the Micro Lube I kept a wash clothe near the loading press to wipe the base of the bullet with. With LBT Blue there is no need.
Jim

You didn't say whether you're using gas checks, or not. Also, how fast you have them loaded. Suspect with any lube, if the velocity gets too high there will be some leading.

I do use gas checks and load to fairly low velocities - 1500 - 1700 fps. It is a pain to clean out the lube/sizer to switch lubes - that's why I'm relucant to switch without some confidence in success.

Thanks,
Jeff

I only cast for the BPCR so I either use SPG or my own mix of 1:3 beeswax/tallow.