An old thread, but with timely info ...and choices.
Over the last 7 decades or so I've tried quite a few muzzleloader patch lube recipes. My go-to lube for patched balls (or for lubing greaser bullet grooves) is the tried and true 19th century Crazy Cat (Gato Feo) #1 formula ...
(by weight, double boiler melted and poured into a cleaned out milk/juice carton to cool and solidify)
1 part mutton tallow
1 part canning wax (parafin - this is food grade stuff)
1/2 part filtered beeswax
Whence cooled it will cut well with a knife. Adjust the hardness/softness with the amount of beeswax.
I cut square patches and dip into the melted lube with forceps or tongs or whatever, saturate well, pull out and let the excess drip off. Rolled patch strips dipped in the same way. Once removed the lubed material will cure and harden within a few minutes. The patch material is completed saturated with the lube and this is key to never ever having to wipe out the barrel for as many shots as taken ... most for me so far has been 54 shots in a row for near 3 hours of shooting.
This patch lube also allows for easy bbl cleanup and maintenance.
As always, allowing the bp residue to harden by not keeping it soft will make cleanup a chore and is the gateway to bad things happening to good metal.