Why doesn't patch lube hurt the powder?

[pepperbelly]

Patch lube is moist, so why, when seating a prb, doesn't it contaminate the powder charge?

Jim

 

[roo shooter]

I think it all bepends on how much you use and weather its a cream or liquid type, a patch that is only damp with lube will only affect the powder it comes in contact with the patch, where a patch that has a lot of lube (liquid type) can most likely run through the powder a bit.

 

[boar]

Remember we are shooting black powder,5grs will not vary much. Smokless is differnt ball game. I use deer tallow for lube.No problem. Get some hornest material and put some on top of powder if you want to keep the powder dry, then the patched ball. Dilly

 

[Russianblood]

When shooting a lot of shots per session, a wet lube doesn't bother the powder much but keeps my bore clean for the next loading. In a hunting situation where that same load may be in the gun for weeks, I either use a more solid lube or an over powder wad to prevent the powder from being contaminated over the lifetime of the load.

 

[Stumpkiller]

It does. The longer the patch remains in contact the more the lube leeches into it. There is actually only a grain or so in contact (pull a ball and see what is stuck yo the bottom if it). I add a vegetable fiber wad between patched ball and powder for my hunting loads (that may be in place a week or more). Everyone uses a different lube and different amount, and some lubes are runnier than others, so some see less of a problem.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

It will contaminate, I use a dry felt wad under a greased slug.