Introduction: Rios Innovations Bullet Greaser
Introducing the newest design from Rios Innovations. As always this was suggested by a viewer who was looking for a tool. This is meant to fill the lube grooves of cast bullets. The results being a complete even fill with very little mess. Please read more to see what features are available with this new amazing idea.
Feel free to watch the videos below to see how to assemble and how to use the bullet greaser. Assembly is meant for those who have downloaded the 3D print file and look to assemble the print.
To download files click here
How to assemble the Cast Bullet Greaser
How to Use the Cast Bullet Greaser
The Cast Bullet Greaser
The newest 3d printed tool for muzzleloader enthusiasts and anyone who makes cast bullets. Giving you the ability to lube up individual bullets of various sizes without all the extra materials needed for pan lubing. Everything from .58 and below will be able to work with this greaser. New inserts will be created as time comes. So, if one of your sizes is not available it can be in the future. Let’s get into what this tool is and how it works. If you’re interested in a custom bullet size, please go to the bottom of the page to find out how.
A prelubing tool has many origins but the origin of this tool specifically can be brought back to a discontinued designed. The TC Pre-Luber, this was a method to lube up maxi balls with bore butter. It had the bullet channel and a screw on method to attach a squeeze tube to it. They came in multiple colors to signify the caliber they were in. To use it was pretty straight forward, you would inset a bullet in one end and then squeeze the lube into the grooves. After you would then just insert another bullet to push the old one out. They did have limited use as they could only fill specific bullets. Not all bullets are sized the same and have different weights that result in different sizes or shapes.
Our new design has truly brought back this old, discontinued idea. While looking at its limitations, we looked into making the greaser more adaptable to specific needs such as more unique calibers. While reading through forums and listening to people as they ask what they are searching for and ideas that they want to see. We took all these opinions into consideration to create this newest item. Let’s go through what these ideas are and how they work. One thing to mention some photos are old as we updated the reservoir to a much thinner one.
Features
The first thing we want to go over is the large body design. We want it easy to hold and control while you use it. The less you drop it, well that is less chance of damaging it. We made it so it can fit comfortably in the hand for both left and right handed folks. A large turn handle that is easy to use. If it was smaller, it could break or cause pain to the fingers.
Another feature we kept in mind is finger placement. The lid that holds the inserts have a small dip for a thumb to sit in. It is a very ergonomic idea to help maintain control and a strong grip. Ergonomics is definitely kept in mind when designing tools such as this.
The largest part to this design is the reservoir for the lube. A very large capacity as is but was made to be easily removed and replaced. So, if the current capacity is not enough just replace the reservoir and then screw in a larger one and bingo more capacity available, super easy. Unfortunately, at this moment, expansion parts are not available but can be if there is enough interest. Here is a comparison of the old reservoir and the newest one. This was a suggestion that had great results. So, the idea was due to the large diameter of the old tube it was harder to turn as there was so much more surface area on the face of the seal. By reducing the surface area, it is now a lot easier to turn and control. Another example of how people’s opinion can help shape current designs.
The next part is the lid, this was the hardest part to figure out but in the end we were able to get it. This lid needed to hold the inserts, screw onto the reservoir, and feed the lube all in one part. This took several revisions but it was possible. We had to make sure the lube channel did not interfere with any threads or else it would be cut off. Along with that we wanted to make the inserts swappable to allow more versatility for which ever bullet you are using.
The lube channel in the lid is small so it will force the lube at a slow rate. The slow rate helps control how much is forced through and allows the user to feel when grooves are filled. There is no indicator at the moment so it will require a little skill to learn to know when exactly to stop filling. One trick that can be used is just turn until there is a leak seen.
The most common area to find a leak is at the bottom. It will come out really quick, so be sure to release pressure once seen. All that needs done to release pressure is to turn the handle backwards a quarter turn. It’s a very crude but effective method to know when to stop.
One great feature is the ability to retry any failed bullets. If the groove does not fill just put it back in and try again. It is best to put it back with the empty side facing the port but that is it. Retry and it will get done, which is a great advantage compared to pan lubing. That alone is a great positive with this tool compared other current methods. Another positive is it is a lot cleaner to use compared to others. You aren’t worried with major spills or a lot of lube getting everywhere. A simple paper towel can wipe up any leaks. Wiping up leaks and putting the bullets away is the only real moments you will be touching lube. With that this tool can also definitely be a cleaner option.
After going over the main body lets go over these inserts. Right now, it is only available in very few calibers but with this design we can create an insert for any size. One thing that needs to be kept in mind is not all cast bullets share the same lube groove area and size. Some have a straight wall while others may have a taper. Bullets with a straight wall which is the same diameter throughout the length you will be able to easily feed bullets one after another. For those that do not you would have to feed a bullet in and then push it out the same direction. To make sure a good fill into the grooves the insert usually follows the profile of the bullet.
Maxi ball usually have the same diameter and the largest lube grooves. These large grooves can slightly vary due to the weight and caliber of the bullet. Check out the photo to see an example.
Other bullets such as 45-70 also have lube grooves but you can see don’t have the large channels as the maxi balls do. And vary in the number and position on the bullet. Each bullet can have their own characteristics, something that is needed when it comes to the inserts.
Other bullets such as the “Christmas Tree” bullet, these do not have a simple diameter. Each ring has their own diameter. To get a good fill following this profile will result in an insert where you can’t feed bullets one after another. You will have to push it out the same direction it is fed in.
All of this needs to be kept in mind when creating a new insert to make sure it works flawlessly. We hope this brief article has been helpful in understanding on how this new tool works. We are constantly looking at new designs to help improve the blackpowder community. We hope this will be a great new addition to everyone interested in such an item.
Requesting Custom Inserts
With the current idea of swapping out the inserts we can easily set it up so that one main unit can work with multiple bullet sizes. It is nothing more than a simple adjustment to get a new insert for the bullet needed.
If you are needing a new insert and would like to have a custom one made a couple measurements are needed. Look at the table below to see what’s needed.
TITLE: Caliber, Bullet Weight, Bullet Diameter
Send Title Line Aswell
for record keeping purposes
———————————————————————————
1. Bullet Diameter [ ]
2. Number of Lube Grooves [ ]
3. Distance from Bottom of Bullet to Bottom of Bottom Lube Groove [ ]
4. Distance from Bottom of Bullet to Top of Top Lube Groove [ ]
5. Ringtail Present (Yes / No)
Only if answered yes, answer #6
6. Ringtail Height (Top of Ringtail to Bottom of Bullet) [ ]
Notes:
– If the bullet has a ringtail, measure #3 and #4 distances from the **bottom of the ringtail**.
– Ringtail height is measured from the **top of the ringtail to the bottom of the bullet**.
To request a custom insert, send an email to Riosinnovations@outlook.com with the info needed from above. And it will be made when time is available. If you need an Example you look below to see how it can look completed
TITLE: .44 Caliber – 200gr Bullet – .430 Diameter
———————————————————————————
1. Bullet Diameter [ .430 in ]
2. Number of Lube Grooves [ 2 ]
3. Distance from Bottom of Bullet to Bottom of Bottom Lube Groove [ 0.180 in ]
4. Distance from Bottom of Bullet to Top of Top Lube Groove [ 0.420 in ]
5. Ringtail Present (Yes / No) [ Yes ]
6. Ringtail Height (Top of Ringtail to Bottom of Bullet) [ 0.060 in ]
If you are interested in this new item, click on the link below. Also, if you have any issues, please email me at Riosinnovations@outlook.com or go to our contact us page. We try to offer as much support as possible.