How long would you go when using spit patches without concern?

ETipp · May 31, 2024

This thread is not about different patch lubes. It is about spit patches that contains water whether it has additives or not.

For spit patch users, I have 5 questions for you.

How long do you feel comfortable with leaving a load in your ML's?

Would you feel comfortable doing so during an extended one-day hunt and or leaving it sit over 1-2 days and nights?

How long would you think spit patches will remain moist in the bore?

How would you go about ascertaining no rust is forming down inside the breech area of a small caliber ML (.32 or .36) as a result of leaving moist patches down the bore?

How long would you go without concerns of wet patches being left on top of a powder charge?

waksupi · May 31, 2024

For hunting bigger game, we ideally only shoot once. Why even lube the first patch?

reddogge · May 31, 2024

Spit patches only for target shooting, never hunting. Greased patches for hunting.

French Colonial · May 31, 2024

I have used spit patches since the 70's and only started using lubed patches recently as an experiment.

I have went all day several times while hunting with no ill effects although that was not the plan (squirrels are like ninjas some times). and I have left a spit patched load overnight in I think two occasions, never had an issue with rust etc.

That being said, I would use a lube if I KNEW I was not going to shoot for awhile.

My personal opinion is a wet patch at the bottom of a 40 inch tube does not dry out very fast with no place for the moisture to go.

ETipp · May 31, 2024

waksupi said:
For hunting bigger game, we ideally only shoot once. Why even lube the first patch?

So, you propose to shoot dry patches?

waksupi · May 31, 2024

ETipp said:
So, you propose to shoot dry patches?

It's just been a question I've been kicking around. Can you see a downside for a hunting load that may stay down the bore throughout a hunting season? Maybe just a very light oil for wet conditions? I'd like to hear some opinions or experience. Maybe we have been over thinking it?

Larry (Omaha) · May 31, 2024

ETipp said:
This thread is not about different patch lubes. It is about spit patches that contains water whether it has additives or not.

For spit patch users, I have 5 questions for you.

How long do you feel comfortable with leaving a load in your ML's?

Would you feel comfortable doing so during an extended one-day hunt and or leaving it sit over 1-2 days and nights?

How long would you think spit patches will remain moist in the bore?

How would you go about ascertaining no rust is forming down inside the breech area of a small caliber ML (.32 or .36) as a result of leaving moist patches down the bore?

How long would you go without concerns of wet patches being left on top of a powder charge?

2 or 3 days
Spit is good enough to get the patch down and that is all on MO unless shot immediately.
A spit patch is not going to cause any rust in MO unless it stays moist/wet for a period of time
A wet patch dripping is not good for the powder. Not sure if you are still taking spit patch.
Larry

Rifleman1776 · May 31, 2024

Shoot immediately. All other times use a good lube.

Eterry · May 31, 2024

ETipp said:
This thread is not about different patch lubes. It is about spit patches that contains water whether it has additives or not.

For spit patch users, I have 5 questions for you.

How long do you feel comfortable with leaving a load in your ML's?

Would you feel comfortable doing so during an extended one-day hunt and or leaving it sit over 1-2 days and nights?

How long would you think spit patches will remain moist in the bore?

How would you go about ascertaining no rust is forming down inside the breech area of a small caliber ML (.32 or .36) as a result of leaving moist patches down the bore?

How long would you go without concerns of wet patches being left on top of a powder charge?

I have use spit patch 99% for rifles since 1980.
I put a few clean washed patches In my mouth, just like a dip of snuff.
Before loading, I suck the excess spit from the patches, spitting it out. Then I take a wet but not soaking patch and load.
I've left it a few days while hunting, stood the muzzle down and no problems with ignition.
I'm not concerned with what little rust could form in 3 days. I clean it well when home. It's never effected my rifles, TMK.
You're mileage may vary.

Eterry · May 31, 2024

waksupi said:
It's just been a question I've been kicking around. Can you see a downside for a hunting load that may stay down the bore throughout a hunting season? Maybe just a very light oil for wet conditions? I'd like to hear some opinions or experience. Maybe we have been over thinking it?

I'm positive most Overthink Everything.
For instance; " Never bring a loaded gun into a warm room, it's gonna create moisture and rust."

Yea, I'm sure the men of 200 years ago left their loaded flintlocks on the porch, or better yet, in the cab of their truck.

I'm sorry for the spinoff. Let's get back to spit patch.

flconch53 · May 31, 2024

What would a frozen spit patch do?
While we are spitballing I thought I would throw tat out

deerstalkert · May 31, 2024

first i think that many have a misconception of what a patch, spit or lubed is used for.
not feeling well enough to expound today but just wanted to toss that out.
have loaded with spit patch and left the load for 30 days hunt. no harm no foul!

longcruise · May 31, 2024

ETipp said:
How long do you feel comfortable with leaving a load in your ML's?

I think it depends on whether or not it has already been shot. Loading with a spit patch after a shot in the morning and leaving it loaded all day would bother me.

ETipp · Jun 1, 2024

longcruise said:
I think it depends on whether or not it has already been shot. Loading with a spit patch after a shot in the morning and leaving it loaded all day would bother me.

Yes sir, me too. This is especially true in this very damp and humid conditions in the SE mountains.

ETipp · Jun 1, 2024

deerstalkert said:
first i think that many have a misconception of what a patch, spit or lubed is used for.
not feeling well enough to expound today but just wanted to toss that out.
have loaded with spit patch and left the load for 30 days hunt. no harm no foul!

Spit patches with what else on them?

ETipp · Jun 1, 2024

flconch53 said:
What would a frozen spit patch do?
While we are spitballing I thought I would throw tat out

Nothing good that's for sure. Fortunately, it seldom gets that cold here but it is the main reason why many in the cold states will not use spit patches. I use TOTW Mink Oil for such.

ETipp · Jun 1, 2024

waksupi said:
It's just been a question I've been kicking around. Can you see a downside for a hunting load that may stay down the bore throughout a hunting season? Maybe just a very light oil for wet conditions? I'd like to hear some opinions or experience. Maybe we have been over thinking it?

IMO, mink oil, bear grease or any other animal fat would be best for longer durations.

waksupi · Jun 1, 2024

flconch53 said:
What would a frozen spit patch do?
While we are spitballing I thought I would throw tat out

When we do our winter shoots, I use winter blend wind shield washer fluid for my moose milk.

Mike in FL · Jun 1, 2024

I don't think about it much. If we can afford the rifle and all the possible, pre-lubed patches or strips is of little consequence. That doesn't address the question though. I started out years ago with spit patches, but I fired the gun at the end of the day. That was 50 years ago when I knew very little. In fact, I was so ignorant I used the "recommended" load without adjusting components and figured the result was as good as the gun could do. Can you imagine that much ignorance?

45man · Jun 4, 2024

Since anything on a patch is to soften fouling when loading after a shot, it should make no difference before but a dry patch might be mighty hard to load even in a clean bore and could tear the cloth.

How long would you go when using spit patches without concern?

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