Felt Wads - Lubed vs. Unlubed?

[Semisane]

I've been shooting big 465 grain conicals over unlubed felt wads in my Renegade's .45 caliber 1:30 twist Green Mountain barrel with good results.

What are the opinions of lubed vs. unlubed wads?

 

[dikman]

Bottom line is you've proved it works for you, which is all that matters. Plus your gun hasn't self-destructed, so it can't be all bad :thumbsup: .

 

[eaglesnester]

Have just ordered a 9/16 leather punch and a sheet of felt for wads. Was wondering the same thing, lube or un-lubed wads? If you leave them un-lubed seems that they might not seal as well? If you lube em would the lube contaminate your powder if U left yur gun loaded long enough. Seems to me that lubing would be the way to go, as you would probably get a better gas seal. If you are worried about powder contamination stick some wasp nest under your wad.

 

[ZUG]

Those are some heavy "mammer-jammers" but your accuracy with them @ 50 yds proves they do well in your rifle -- if it were me I just keep doing what you are doing :wink: .

 

[Billnpatti]

What you are doing seems to work quite well for your gun. If it were me, I wouldn't change a thing. :thumbsup:

 

[hawk driver]

That is some good shooting. Those heavies gotta pack a wallop on both ends.

I am just curious about the big velocity difference you are seeing there. It doesnt have a huge affect on your groups at 50, just wondering if you have shot them at 100? Are you swabbing between shots? I like tinkering with that kind of stuff, so just got the wheels turning. Dont think that I am sharp shooting what you are doing, just a curious nature here.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

I think he should keep doin' what he's doin' too, lol!

And as for the chrono work: Looks to me as if the first shot is by itself, and then the bore was fouled & produced both superior accuracy & additional speed because of the "extra drag" gettin' thru the fouling? Like I said, three holes touching at 50 yards is "good enough", lol!

Dave

 

[Eric Krewson]

I shoot an unlubed felt wad over the 70gr of 2F powder in my .54 followed by a .530 ball an .18 ticking patch. I get better groups with the wad and a louder "crack" when the rifle goes off.

I tried this load as an experiment and stuck with it, works for me.

 

[nkbj]

Been using wads punched out of the spongy stuff that pressed paper egg cartons are made from. They soak up melted lube and form a good dam against gas cutting.

 

[Semisane]

I have shot them at 100 yards hawk driver, but with a scope on the gun. Got a 1-5/8" five shot group. I swab with both sides of a patch wet with 91% Isopropyl alcohol between shots. Recoil with the 85 grain load is stout, but not really uncomfortable. I shot one five-shot string with 95 grains GOEX FFFg, and one string of that was quite enough.