Patch Lubes

[deermanok]

I only ever shot conical bullets up until this year. Been loading up with round balls in my guns now.
Now, with cotton patches, what's the better lube? I buy dry patches and spit lube them, I also have prelubed ones. I read that alot of shooters have their own homemade recipes. Is there really a difference?

 

[mooman76]

 

[old ugly]

i spit patch all day long if shooting targets or gongs. i have had no issues.
If you are hunting you may want a greased patch.
im am sure you will get hundreds of different opinions and recipes, its what works best for you.

 

[Maven]

No doubt spit patches work well, but so does something like 1 Ballistol : 6 parts water. If you want a grease lube, google Stumpy's Moose Snot.

 

[Carbon 6]

Spit on the range, beeswax and olive oil mix when hunting.
One problem I see a lot is people putting too much lube on patches.
There are as many lube recipes as there are shooters.

What lube did you use on your conicals ?

 

[sawyer04]

Why not, makes for a leisurely Sunday

 

[deermanok]

Spit on the range, beeswax and olive oil mix when hunting.
One problem I see a lot is people putting too much lube on patches.
There are as many lube recipes as there are shooters.

What lube did you use on your conicals ?

I mostly shot TC maxi hunters, already lubed.

 

[Carbon 6]

Making your own lube and trying different recipes is one of the fun aspects of this hobby.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

I just switched to water and Ballistol. I cut 2" strips of prewashed pillow ticking, cut tear off slits, soak in 7:1 Water/Ballistol, let dry. Spit swab between shots.

 

[Gun Tramp]

I read that alot of shooters have their own homemade recipes.

Indeed, and many are based on plant or animal fats such as olive oil, crisco, lard, tallow, etc. I'm working up my own recipe now, trying a mixture of unsalted butter and cheese.

 

[deermanok]

Unsalted butter and cheese?

 

[sawyer04]

Unsalted butter and cheese?

I bet that is a tasty blend.

 

[deermanok]

I always liked genuine Vermont cheddar. Extra sharp of course.

 

[Gun Tramp]

I bet that is a tasty blend.

Yes, it is, but I made the mistake of using it when I tried parched corn as a shot load. Never did get any shooting in; just stood there with the stupid musket, eating and eating...

 

[deermanok]

Yes, it is, but I made the mistake of using it when I tried parched corn as a shot load. Never did get any shooting in; just stood there with the stupid musket, eating and eating...

Now you're talking a great spit patch sure enough.

 

[D Sanders]

I just switched to water and Ballistol. I cut 2" strips of prewashed pillow ticking, cut tear off slits, soak in 7:1 Water/Ballistol, let dry. Spit swab between shots.

I read on the side of the ballistol can "flammable ". Do your patches disintegrate and burn after shooting?

 

[jdw276]

No doubt spit patches work well, but so does something like 1 Ballistol : 6 parts water. If you want a grease lube, google Stumpy's Moose Snot.

It is in the stickies above the forums.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

I read on the side of the ballistol can "flammable ". Do your patches disintegrate and burn after shooting?

No not at all. I get a black ring from the powder with light brown center. The edges do not burn.

 

[Carbon 6]

I read on the side of the ballistol can "flammable ". Do your patches disintegrate and burn after shooting?

The "flammability" comes from the propellant and the higher alcohols used as thinners and solvents. they evaporate rather quickly, plus you are diluting them with water.

Ballistol contains:
Mineral Oil
Potassium Oleate
Ammonium Oleate
Oleic Acid
Benzyl Alcohol
Amyl Alcohol
Isobutyl Alcohol
Benzyl Acetate
Anethole
Isohexane (aerosol only)

 

[Rudall]

I always liked genuine Vermont cheddar.

Genuine cheddar comes from Cheddar.