about to make mix up my first batch of lube... advice please

[new2bp]

I'll start by saying I know a professional hobby-like candle maker (she makes a living, but badly) so I already know all the things to avoid to maintain marital harmony (SWMBO is a redheaded Puerto Rican and I have the bruises to prove it).

Questions -

1 - Suggestions on starting ratio for Crisco and beeswax for use in hot hot humid weather (N Central Florida summer time in the sun with a 35 minute drive in a hot car to the range)

2 - I'm planning on VERY small batches at first, 2-3oz max. I'm also planning to mix up a few different batches. Can I add a drop of food coloring to the mix to color it so I can identify and remember what batch is which?

3 - Different lube consistency for use w/ PRB vs other uses (maxis, felt wads) - I'm thinking thinner is OK for PRB use and thicker is better for the others, especially if applied while hot/warm and especially if I'm doing this for hot weather use.

4 - planning on 2 melt pots in a double boiler or on a heating plate (house torn apart for renovation at the moment, such fun!), one for wax and one for crisco, then mixing in liquid state by volume in the destination container

5 - I asked in #1, but as I type this and think, I'm thinking I'm gonna do 3 batches at first unless answers to #1 direct otherwise, but a 50/50 mix, a 25/75 and a 75/25 and see what that gets me for lubing maxis (planning on shooting a bunch Sunday)

 

[garypl]

When I make lube using beeswax and other ingredients I just eyeball by volume. Mix some in a double boiler then let some solidify and if it is too soft add more beeswax, too hard add more Crisco. What you are proposing sounds too complicated for this old guy!

 

[colimr]

No matter what formula you use after it cools stir it .The wax will harden on top giving the impression being too hard so you remelt add Crisco cool too soft remelt add wax on and on until you stir it bingo toothpaste creamy and have 16oz like I did I started wanting 4oz LOL enclosed is some mixes and info I've used.

 

[new2bp]

No matter what formula you use after it cools stir it .The wax will harden on top giving the impression being too hard so you remelt add Crisco cool too soft remelt add wax on and on until you stir it bingo toothpaste creamy and have 16oz like I did I started wanting 4oz LOL enclosed is some mixes and info I've used.

Yup, had read about the post-cool stir (though probably better to stir while cooling so it never separates to start).

Lots of good info in that file, especially the bit about lanolin making the lube sticky. Since that is really my end goal, it seems like if the beeswax/crisco mix doesn't seem to be cutting it I'll add a bit of that as well.

When I make lube using beeswax and other ingredients I just eyeball by volume. Mix some in a double boiler then let some solidify and if it is too soft add more beeswax, too hard add more Crisco. What you are proposing sounds too complicated for this old guy!

Sorry, science back ground. You *always* document and set yourself or others up to duplicate your steps exactly.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

A friend gave me some lube he has used for years shooting BPCR. It's 2 parts lard to 1 part beeswax. It seems to be a good patch lube. Don't let people tell you to avoid lard because it has salt in it. They're confusing it with bacon grease.

 

[garypl]

Both very tasty

 

[Freedom]

Crisco will go rancid and stink to high heaven.. so make a pretty small batch.

 

[beardedhorse]

If you are married to a candle maker with access to beswax you've got the hard ingredient covered. I use rendered bear fat with my beeswax. 1:1 ratio too stiff. 2:1 BEAR/BEESWAX good for September ml hunting season. 3:1 melts in hot summer temps. Spectrum makes a shortening than has non trans fats, is healthier to cook with and eat but more expensive than Crisco. Avoid the butter flavored Crisco as the dye can separate.

 

[ohio ramrod]

With olive oil or crisco I jsst mix. But if using lard or any other animal fat. I "desalt" it by boiling it in water 50/50 mix let it cool drain off the water and salt. repeat until the water does not taste salty.

 

[Archer 756]

Crisco has SALT in it bad for steel barrels.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

1lb Bee's Wax
1 lb Lard
4oz Cornola oil can use up to 6 oz. Depending on weather

This is the boolit lube caster have been using for years.

My pans sit full in the shop, been there for over 2 decades, not a smell to be had.

 

[appalichian hunter]

You can also add a bit of the liquid candy flavoring of your choice, makes it nice for when you lick yer fingers. I like extract of peppermint.

 

[EC121]

I don't use beeswax, because the only solvent for it(that I know of) is turpentine. It might clean up with regular cleaning solutions when it is mixed with other oils and fouling, but it is easier for me to just avoid it.

 

[NorthFork]

The Crisco can I have has zero (0) sodium (salt).

 

[oldwood]

Anybody use straight rendered deer fat?

 

[Okie Hog]

Best conical lube i've found is 2/3 parts Bore Butter and one part beeswax.

 

[Rodd Boyer]

I use a combo of beeswax, lamb tallow and canning wax. I get the lamb's tallow from Dixie gun works.

 

[RjSixgun]

Ive never used a double boiler in my life to make lube, you dont need it!!!!
Just use a large cast iron pan and put it over a very low flame, put your tin in the middle.
Fill the tin with half sweet oil then add solid bees wax and put over a low flame.
as the sweet oil heats it will melt the bees wax.
When the wax is melted take it off the cast iron and set it aside to cool.

 

[Whughett]

Gas stove in this household. Not condusive to melting stuff so I use an adjustable temp hot plate bought from Amazon.

KIS

A tin can suffices to do the weighted ingredients initial melt.
A nine inch pie pan suffices to dip strips of felt or cotton material into or to pan lube bullets or yo fill with water to float hot lube mixture on for lube pills.

Lube 50/50 beeswax and Crisco for wads or pills.
40/50/10 beeswax crisco olive or canola oil for bullets or patches.

Rancid, usually not a problem as I shoot frequently, but the guns/bullets don’t know or care if it does happen.

 

[Freedom]

Do yourself a huge favor and just buy SPG for pan lubeing grease-groove conicals, and send member "Frontier" a few bucks for his fine patch lube for roundballs.(!)
In the end your money and time wasted on subpar lube making will be better spent shooting at the range, experimenting with these two fine lubes.