The Flaming Ball Patch

[Okie Hog]

On Sunday is was sighting in a .50 caliber New Englander barrel, the shorter one. Had some trouble then found the tang tang screws loose. Tightened the tang screws and the group tightened. Powder charge used was 90 grains of Black MZ, the patches were drill cloth and the lube was Outers Weather R Seal.

One round did something i've never witnessed before. There was a crack from the cap followed with a loud woosh sound then a loud boom. The patch went flaming into the dry grass. i immediately put the fire out. Seen patches smolder before but never flame up.

 

[flntlokr]

I have seen many patches light fires, and many more smoulder on the ground. I live in a region where it is extremely dry in summer with extreme fire hazard often extending into October. Only water-based lubes are allowed on most ranges and all rendezvous throughout the fire season. The burning patch is only caused by the use of oil based lubes in my experience. The only times I would personally use them would be while hunting when the gun will be left loaded for an extended time.

 

[HiDesertHunter]

Where I live ML shooters will sometimes not shoot in extremely dry weather (if they use RBs & patches) due to the patch issue.

Heck, here in the PNW there have been times where ALL shooting in the NF has been suspended due to fire danger however this is done more as a way to reduce traffic in the woods during high fire danger.

 

[stewart.leach]

I set fire to the dry grass at the Boulder Rifle Club range when experiment ting with olive oil as a patch lube. Did a bit of study and learned vegetable oils have various ignition temperatures, olive oil being the lowest and peanut oil being highest. That said, I use Moose Milk as range lube and 50/50 lamb tallow/beeswax for field lube.

 

[Carbon 6]

I had that happen once. but I gotta ask, what is Outers Weather R Seal ?

 

[hanshi]

Could be mistaken but I can't recall ever having a patch so much as smolder. While I use TOW mink oil in the hunting bush Hoppes #9 Plus BP lube is what I mostly use for everything else.

 

[Okie Hog]

what is Outers Weather R Seal ?

The best water proofing for boots ever made. They went out of business decades ago.

 

[Carbon 6]

The best water proofing for boots ever made. They went out of business decades ago.

Does it contain a flammable solvent or drying agent ?
If it did that might explain a lot. Have you used it before as lube ?

 

[Okie Hog]

Have you used it before as lube ?

Yes, often. Something went wrong with that shot that caused the patch to flame.

 

[Tumbledown]

This is why I carry water with me if I go shooting in the woods.

 

[Carbon 6]

Yes, often. Something went wrong with that shot that caused the patch to flame.

Well, like I said, I had it happen to me too once. I don't know what caused mine either, but it sat there burning like a mini campfire. It may have been ticking that I didn't wash.

 

[vintovka]

true flaming patch story: We held an INDOOR BP shoot at a range (bad idea from get go) and the patchs set fire to the accumulated unburned powder in the concrete floor down range, No amount of stomping could put it out and burned fast like a power trail in the movies.

 

[toot]

maybe the patch lube made it happen?