Author Topic: lube for 45/70  (Read 782 times)

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Offline dodd3

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lube for 45/70
« on: November 06, 2005, 01:45:10 AM »
i have been testing 3 different bullet lubes for black powder loads in my buff classic. the first was my home made lube it keeps fowling soft does not melt when the weather gets worm but i got a little bit of leading,the second lube was spg lube very good results soft fowling no leading with the black powder loads but tends to melt when the weather gets worm. the third is rooster red black powder 7.this lube is by far the best i have used,it keeps the fowling far softer than my lube or spg ,it has a melt temp of 210 degrees and is just as good with smokeless loads at 1500 to 1600 fps with no leading.spg sells for us$3.59 a stick at track of the wolf rooster red bp 7 sells for $2.95 a stick.so you guys that cast your on bullets and by your lube give rooster red bp7 a try you wont be disappointed.the tests were done over a 6 months of testing in all temperatures here in west australia
if its feral its in peril

Offline Gatofeo

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lube for 45/70
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2005, 08:22:50 AM »
Have you tried this very old factory recipe that dates to the 19th century?

1  part paraffin
I use canning paraffin, sold in 1 lb. blocks. Probably sold in half-kilo blocks there in Oz. It's the kind of paraffin housewives melt and pour into the open mouth of a jar filled with jam, to seal it. You can use old candles but I wouldn't. Who knows what's in today's candles, especially the scented variety?

1 part mutton tallow
I buy mine from Dixie Gun Works but you may find it there in Australia. I dunno, do they have sheep in Australia? (I can hear you smack your forehead and exclaim, "Bloody stoopid Yank!"  :)  )

1/2 part beeswax
Not much to add here. However, be wary of synthetic beeswax, typically found in toilet seals. I've found real beeswax at gun shows, Renaissance Fairs, Mountain Man rendezvous and in craft shops. However, craft shops usually sell it in little 1/4 pound (125 gram) cakes that cost far more than what you can buy at the other places.

All measurements are by weight, not volume.
I use a kitchen scale to measure 200/200/100 grams of ingredients, then melt them in a widemouth, quart (liter) Mason jar. Place the jar of ingredients in 3 or 4 inches of boiling water, for a double-boiler effect. This is the safest way to melt greases and waxes.
When everything's melted, stir with a clean stick or disposable chopstick. Allow to cool at room temperature. Hastening cooling by placing it in the refrigerator may cause the ingredients to separate.
The result is a semi-hard, waxy lubricant that is good for all black powder applications. I use it for bullets in my .44-40, .45 Colt and .45-70.
After seating heeled bullets in my .32 Long Colt cases, I up-end the cartridge and dip the bullet in said melted lubricant up to where the bullet meets the brass case. Actually, the above recipe is listed in a 1943 American Rifleman magzine as the factory lubricant for heeled bullets such as my .32.
It's excellent as a felt wad lubricant for cap and ball revolvers and cartridges.
It will soften in hot weather but not get runny like Crisco or Bore Butter.
I even lubricate patches for my .50-caliber rifle with it. Works great.
It's all I use for black powder, in varying applications. It's inexpensive to make, easily made and works very well.

Oh ... and each passing day I use it ... I just get handsomer and handsomer ...  :grin:
"A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44."

Offline dodd3

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lube for 45/70
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2005, 10:04:37 PM »
thanks gato i will give it a try.
bernie :D
if its feral its in peril