What is best no nonsense approach to remove hardened beeswax from mini bullets?

[Larry (Omaha)]

I really thought beeswax was going to be the cat's meow for my mini ball accuracy, and coated a box or two. Found out it does not work for me. I softened the beeswax prior to coating the bullets with some olive oil, but it is still sticky good old beeswax. I want to put the minis back to clean lead. What is a good process that does not involve a lot of wiping and picking, especially around the groove areas. I know there are several chemicals that claim to dissolve beeswax, but want to see what the muzzleloading crowd does.
Thanks

 

[Throwdown58]

The oven at 180 degrees should work fine.

 

[APG]

Not sure on how to remove the bees wax but as a lube for Minie balls have you tried a mix of bees wax, lambs tallow and olive oil? 1/2 cup each bees wax and the tallow melted in the microwave then add a little less than a table spoon of olive oil. Works real nice for me shooting .58 minies out of a repro 1861 Springfield.

 

[Throwdown58]

I'm curious why the lambs tallow? I've always used the standard 50/50 beef tallow beeswax and never really wanted for better.

 

[APG]

I'm curious why the lambs tallow? I've always used the standard 50/50 beef tallow beeswax and never really wanted for better.

That what the recipe called for. Never gave it any thought as to using any other types of tallow. Perhaps I'll try beef next time.

 

[Throwdown58]

Where do you even get it though? I make soap so I knew where to get beef tallow. Do you just eat a lot of lamb lol?

 

[Crow-Feather]

I melt them down and recast. Takes about the same time as melting the lube if you only have 50 or so.

 

[bubba.50]

Drop them in a pot of hot water. The wax will melt & float to the top & when it cools remove wax and pour off the water and set on paper towel to dry.

 

[coloradoclyde]

What Bubba said.

 

[CzarJL]

Yep, Hot or even boiling water, just don't use a good pan unless the couch is comfortable.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Drop them in a pot of hot water. The wax will melt & float to the top & when it cools remove wax and pour off the water and set on paper towel to dry.

Bingo! That is where I was leaning, but did not know the wax would float. Thought I would just have a gooey mess.
Thanks

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Yep, Hot or even boiling water, just don't use a good pan unless the couch is comfortable.

Thanks, but she knows I can be an air-head!

 

[APG]

Where do you even get it though? I make soap so I knew where to get beef tallow. Do you just eat a lot of lamb lol?

Amazon sells lamb tallow.

 

[Throwdown58]

Hmm. Might try it. I wonder if it is different.

 

[William Lincoln]

I think lambs tallow is softer. Elmer Keith I think was the
first on it. Mike the duelist 1954 also recommended it.
Beeswax alone was not recommended.

 

[bisleyjohn]

Shoot 'em!

 

[Tom Compton]

Hair dryer or inexpensive heat gun from Harbor Freight

 

[William Schenck]

Mutton tallow does not become rancid like other animal fats. I have always gotten
mine from DGW. By the way, first post though I’ve been a member for a while.

 

[Ian Straus]

I get mine from Dixie Gun workss too,

 

[MTMountainman]

I really thought beeswax was going to be the cat's meow for my mini ball accuracy, and coated a box or two. Found out it does not work for me. I softened the beeswax prior to coating the bullets with some olive oil, but it is still sticky good old beeswax. I want to put the minis back to clean lead. What is a good process that does not involve a lot of wiping and picking, especially around the groove areas. I know there are several chemicals that claim to dissolve beeswax, but want to see what the muzzleloading crowd does.
Thanks

Go to the local hardware store or Wally World. Buy a product called Goo Gone. Put your lead in a glass container with a lid. Fill the jar with Goo Gone so your lead is covered. Just shake it around once a day when you happen to think about it. in 2-3 days, the lead looks like new. Dump the lead in a basket and rinse off with water. Your lead will look like new.
I just cleaned several thousand rounds of ammo for unmentionables that I had coated with Alox. I am powder coating now and needed them clean. It works! Just takes a little time and no real effort -- my kind of project!