Author Topic: Favorite patch lubes? (Read 2415 times)

spitpatch · « **on:** December 09, 2005, 11:14:06 AM »

I've been using dry patches, soaking them in different materials but not excited with any. Whats your favorite lube and how do you apply it to the patch?

clodbuster · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2005, 11:51:55 AM »

One of the most contentious facets of bp shooting. I use half and half beeswax and criso sometimes and othertimes Ballistol moosemilk applied and dried.

BS · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2005, 12:28:36 PM »

I just started using 50/50 mix of Olive Oil and Murphy's Oil Soap. So far it seems to work just fine.

I can load and leave it set over night and get the same point of impact with a clean barrel. No fouling shot.............I just run a lubed patch down the bore after loading.................. :grin:

spitpatch · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2005, 12:46:51 PM »

Whats the procedeures for these receipies, they both sound interesting and I've not tried either.

lostid · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2005, 02:10:23 PM »

spitpatch;
I'm suprised! :eek:
I agree with clodbuster; " One of the most contentious facets of BP shooting",,

I kinda thought your handle made use of your preferance for lube, and it does work well! ( your handle as lube!).
Beyond that,,Try "Dutch". If you don't like his lube,,, At least you'll learn there is a bit more to bp accuracy than "a patch" and "sum lube"....it's fun man,,,,really..it's not that hard to be a top shooter.
It's easy too hear "everyone",, yet,, best too listen too just one,

A "Top shooter" may not be a hunter,,,,and "Hunters" are not always top shooters. I try to do both,,,,I owe it to myself to be the best I can too my abilities, :wink: And the "secret papers" helped bust the myth,,,,,

Swamp Yankee · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2005, 02:52:59 PM »

Spitpatch,
I took an afternoon and read the past posts on patch lubes [and other interesting topics] to see all the different ingredients used in homemade patch lubes. I'm trying to develop a good cold weather lube. I have decided on mink oil, crisco,and bees wax. I'm going to start with small batches changing the ratios until I find what works the best. I've ordered Trappers mink oil tallow from Track of the Wolf and was given a couple of pounds of bee's wax from "Lostid" [Thanks again John, much appreciated] Now it's just a matter of finding the time to do it.
I'll keep you guys posted............Jim

Slamfire · « **Reply #6 on:** December 09, 2005, 02:58:38 PM »

I use Sno-Seal straight from the can. It is bee's wax and seems a bit softer'n what you see in candles and what nots. But I can't find out if they put some oil in the Sno-Seal or some hardener in the other.
The stuff is sold in good boot shops to waterproof leather. Goggle it to go to the factory web site.

Ramrod · « **Reply #7 on:** December 09, 2005, 03:08:20 PM »

Straight animal fat, such as tallow, lard, etc, is a good cold weather lube, and will not affect the powder. You can't get any more traditional than that. Beeswax helps to stiffen it up when the weather is a little warmer.

spitpatch · « **Reply #8 on:** December 09, 2005, 03:11:43 PM »

Quote from: lostid

spitpatch;
I kinda thought your handle made use of your preferance for lube, and it does work well! ( your handle as lube!).

Lostid, I haven't used spit in a long while, only when I have'nt anything better to use, hence the post......I'm always open to a better suggestion.

lostid · « **Reply #9 on:** December 09, 2005, 03:35:38 PM »

Quote from: Slamfire

I use Sno-Seal straight from the can. It is bee's wax!

NO, IT AIN"T,,,,,

lostid · « **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2005, 03:45:17 PM »

It's Bee's Wax and Some other stuff!

And' I'll tell ya right now,,,,,,if you use that "other stuff" with Black powder and or, BP type "propleants",,you'll have nuthin but trouble.

lostid · « **Reply #11 on:** December 09, 2005, 03:49:39 PM »

Quote from: spitpatch

......I'm always open to a better suggestion.

gave it to ya,,,,it's up too you ta listen.

spitpatch · « **Reply #12 on:** December 09, 2005, 04:50:54 PM »

Quote from: lostid

spitpatch;
At least you'll learn there is a bit more to bp accuracy than "a patch" and "sum lube".quote]

Lostid, I'm glad you set me straight. I always thought that's all that mattered! The patch and sum lube.

roundball · « **Reply #13 on:** December 10, 2005, 02:36:16 AM »

Quote from: spitpatch

I've been using dry patches, soaking them in different materials but not excited with any. Whats your favorite lube and how do you apply it to the patch?

Natural Lube 1000 has worked great for me 15+ years...but since getting into Flintlocks, I now shoot year round most every weekend, and in the colder winter temps with low/dry humidity, I noticed that I had to melt more NL1000 into the patches to be able to shoot a range session without wiping beteeen shots in that dry air.

So I then experimented with some Hoppe's No9 BP PLUS solvent & patch lube which is a thick liquid...I just squirt some all over a pile of normal prelubed patches, let them sit and soak for a few minutes, and they work outstanding in that dry air...and it's much easier/faster than melting more NL1000 into patches.

spitpatch · « **Reply #14 on:** December 10, 2005, 04:28:26 AM »

Thanks all for the input. I'm going to try all the receipes given here and see which one I like the best. I experimented with the beeswax mix and never could get it to my likeing.......got discouraged fast. The snowseal sounds pretty interesting as does the pure tallow or lard. I have a bunch of hog renderings that I save for my lye soap and will give it a try. I do have NL and hoppes on hand also, but have never used them (they were gimme's). Thanks all! If there is a concoction that wasn't listed here yet........please share!

slayer · « **Reply #15 on:** December 10, 2005, 02:35:12 PM »

For years I have buying all natural products, and my favorite is the T/C .18 Pillow Ticking patches pre-lubed with Bore Butter. I use a .490 ball. Jack.

Slamfire · « **Reply #16 on:** December 10, 2005, 05:58:33 PM »

Quote from: lostid

Quote from: Slamfire
I use Sno-Seal straight from the can. It is bee's wax!

NO, IT AIN"T,,,,,

So how come the "other stuff" don't appear on the MSDS? And what do you figure it is? :?

lostid · « **Reply #17 on:** December 10, 2005, 06:56:56 PM »

it's Beeswax and silicone.(period)
If it is/was just beeswax.(?) How does it stay in a paste form?

If you read all of MSDS, you will find a shrt sentance that say's "and other ingrediants" , there is a listing of #(numbers) of those ingrediants,,that statement is to protect "copy-right".
If a full listing of ingrediants of any product listed by MSDS was avalable to us,,,,why would we buy the product??? With a true listing of the "recipie" we could all just make our own,,and sell it as compitition to the maker of sno-seal. Maybe call it Snow-seal,,,,,,,,
you will find in the MSDS a "time weigted-average to exposiour" and that as tested in California' a "carsonogenic suspect" as tested to lab rats,,

p.s. stuff works great! on my boots,,my gloves,,just about everything I make with tanned elk or buckskin,,I much perfer sno-seal to mink oil to treat and care for any of my leather products,,been using it for 30 years!
And believe me,,,,if the stuff made a good patch-lube,the guy's that sell it would list "patch-lube" on the side of the jar, and we'd find it on the shelf at the local gun shop!

p.p.s. part of my employ as a chemical process engineer is to deal with haz.mat..where did you find a Material Saftey Data Sheet on Sno-Seal??

Slamfire · « **Reply #18 on:** December 10, 2005, 07:07:53 PM »

Silicone, huh? Well, that might be a problem. As to the MSDS there are several places on the net you can download from...for a price. :wink:
Just for the thrill of it I'll get a couple lbs of Bee's Wax and leven it with some kinda non petroleum oil.

BeeMan · « **Reply #19 on:** December 11, 2005, 06:57:59 AM »

Ok, perfect timing for this thread. I purchased some Old Zip Patch Grease from DGW, primarily because I was in a hurry, and didnt want to take time to make my own. I was expecting something a bit softer, kind of like old fashioned paste shoe polish. This stuff is hard! Do I need to melt it first or what? Being a beekeeper as well, I know I can make my own from olive oil and beeswax, or Crisco and beeswax. Do animal fats work better than plant oils for this, or is it just personal chioce. Thanks folks!

Two Bears · « **Reply #20 on:** December 11, 2005, 12:49:26 PM »

HERE IS THE MIX FOR Moose snot and Moose milk....It is supposed to be the best.

Stumpy's Moose Snot (by: Stumpkiller)

A premium multi-shot between wiping (10+) patch lube stable over a wide temperature range.
SPECIFICALLY designed for use of patched round balls in a loading block

Beeswax 2 oz.
Castor Oil 8 oz.
Murphy's Oil Soap 1 oz.

Heat beeswax in a soup can set a pot of water. ( A double-boiler. I keep my beeswax in a one pound coffee can and measure out what I need by melting it and pouring it into measuring cups). Add just enough water so the inner can does not begin to float (should be just short of the lube level in the can). Heat the water to a low boil. In a separate can, add the castor oil and Murphy's oil soap (cold). Once the beeswax is melted, swap the castor oil can in the pot of water for the beeswax. Add the beeswax to the oils. It will clump up. Stir with an ice tea spoon as the mixture heats up. When it fully melts there will be a scum that floats to the top and just won't mix in. Be patient. DO NOT COOK THE MIXTURE. Once the solids are dissolved there is no need to heat further. Skim the scum off. Remove the mix from the heat and wipe the water off the outside (so it won't drip into the container when you pour it out). FINAL TOP SECRET STEP: Add a teaspoon of Murphy's Oil Soap and stir vigorously. This last step makes the lube frothy and smooth - really adds to the appearance; though it doesn't seem to matter to the function of the lube. Clamp the can in the jaws of a vice-grip pliers and pour into the waiting tins. Allow to cool a half hour.

OR

Stumpy's Moose Milk

A general purpose blackpowder solvent and liquid patch lube. Shake well before using

Castor Oil 3 oz.
Murphy's Oil Soap 1 oz.
Witch Hazel 4 oz.
Isopropyl Alcohol (91%) 8 oz.
Water (non-chlorinated) 16 oz.

I dip my patching in this twice and let it dry between. Makes a semi-dry patch material that's easy to carry & use. If you don't mind carrying a little bottle it's a GREAT liquid lube as is.

[/b]

Randy_che · « **Reply #21 on:** December 11, 2005, 07:51:25 PM »

According to the MSDS, Sno-seal is <35% mineral spirits and >65% wax (seems to be shown by volume %, based on the volatile organics number)

Should be pretty easy to make. Something close to 1 part mineral spirits to 3 parts bees wax would probably make an acceptable blend.

Found the MSDS several places by doing a google search.

Here's one.

http://msds.ogden.disa.mil/msds/owa/web_msds.display?imsdsnr=182071

harryo · « **Reply #22 on:** December 12, 2005, 02:26:53 AM »

Quote from: Two Bears

HERE IS THE MIX FOR Moose snot and Moose milk....It is supposed to be the best.
[/b]

I find Stumpy's Moose Milk to be one of the best lubes I have ever used. You can also mix it yourself for a fraction of the cost of commercial lubes

flintlock · « **Reply #23 on:** December 12, 2005, 04:14:16 AM »

Like Slamfire...I've used SnoSeal for about 25-30 years...I called SnoSeal a few years back...they told me that the primary ingredent was bees wax and a vegetable (non-petroleum) oil to help make it softer...Frankly I could care less what else it has in it, I have 2 flintlocks...one bought in '75, the other I finished in '90...Its all that has ever been used in either...

lostid · « **Reply #24 on:** December 12, 2005, 05:09:10 PM »

Quote from: Randy_che

According to the MSDS, Sno-seal is <35% mineral spirits and >65% wax

http://msds.ogden.disa.mil/msds/owa/web_msds.display?imsdsnr=182071

GOOD LINK Randy_Che,,,,,,thank you! that one goes on the 'favorites list"

kindda put's ta shame the "vegetable oil" idea doesn't it. :lol:

quigleysharps4570 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 13, 2005, 12:28:42 AM »

Give D&L Handcleaner a try. Good stuff. I got the idea from a gentleman that's been using it since the 70's. Who in turn got it from an oldtimer.

Slamfire · « **Reply #26 on:** December 13, 2005, 01:49:41 PM »

Quote from: lostid

Quote from: Randy_che
According to the MSDS, Sno-seal is <35% mineral spirits and >65% wax

http://msds.ogden.disa.mil/msds/owa/web_msds.display?imsdsnr=182071

GOOD LINK Randy_Che,,,,,,thank you! that one goes on the 'favorites list"

kindda put's ta shame the "vegetable oil" idea doesn't it. :lol:

The silicone too. :wink:

Ramrod · « **Reply #27 on:** December 14, 2005, 06:40:43 PM »

Animal fat like bear grease, deer tallow, pig lard, ect, is what the mountain men used, just like the Pennsylvania Rifleman that came before them. I doubt I will won't to second guess those folks. Most of these lubes have worked well for me. I'm partial to lard as it is easy to find, and can easilly be stiffened with an addition of beeswax, for use in hot weather.