Are short starters needed+ Coconut oil for lube

[Alexander Comer]

I was wondering if short starters are necessary, heard of just using your ramrod, but I don't know, and is anyone familiar with using Coconut oil as a lube? Have lots so it would be a nice alternative to tallow.

 

[Coot]

Short starters are needed if you like to shoot a very tight ball/patch combo. Many believe that historically a looser fit was the norm & if that suits you, a short starter is not needed. Some like to cone their muzzle as an aid to starting. Many, many different lubes have been discussed and the worth of any lube is best determined by trying it in your gun using the ball/patch combo that you prefer. Let us know how the coconut oil works.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Short starters are not absolutely necessary. But they sure do make life a whole lot easier...at least for me. I have used one for years and years. I have seen several other shooters break their ramrods during loading. I have also seen some ugly wounds from broken ramrods. I figure why run the risk of shoving a huge splinter through my hand in the event the wood rod breaks. I use a short starter religiously as well as a fiberglass or delrin range rod. The wooden rods for me are now just a bit of decoration.

That is just me... :hmm:

 

[19 16 6]

Coconut oil works,I have used it. Just go easy, very easy on the amount of it on the outside of your patch.
When you think there is not enough you are coming to the place where it is just right.
How are you going to apply it ?
O.

 

[Cowboy]

Short starters are not absolutely necessary. But they sure do make life a whole lot easier...at least for me. I use a short starter religiously as well as a fiberglass or delrin range rod. The wooden rods for me are now just a bit of decoration.

That is just me... :hmm:

I agree 100% except I use a brass range rod. If I get rid of any one of my muzzleloaders, it will have a nice unused wooden ramrod under the barrel. I have always used a short starter as well. Respectfully, Cowboy :hatsoff:

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Short starters are not necessary, but as mentioned, they are liked by some. HINT don't buy an over the counter short starter...they run somewhere from $7.00 on up...when a hardwood Crab Mallet is often $3.00. Use the tip of the handle to start the bullet, and the mallet with a brass drift works for moving front or rear sights when needed...while the common OTC short starter doesn't do well as a mallet.

As for the coconut oil, the problem is it melts at a very low temp...like in your hand. I'd try melting some 100% beeswax and mix it warmed up and melted with warmed up and melted coconut oil, in a ratio of 1 portion of melted wax, to two portions of warmed oil to create a lube.

LD

 

[Gene L]

Necessary? I don't know but they're damned convenient. I use 'em and like 'em.

But can you possibly do without one? Sure, I guess but why?

Coconut oil I'm sure will work just fine. Peanut oil has a high temp tolerance if that's what you want. Plus it's natural. I don't know how important that is, though. I violate many rules but seem to get by. Lard, Crisco, spit, etc. all seem to work. I'm not trying to set a record, just trying to have fun.

 

[Rat Trapper]

If you do not want to damage you crown, get a short starter made out of nylon. Brass will ding the crown if not centered. Also for cleaning use a nylon bore guide.

 

[Billnpatti]

A short starter is just a handy tool and you only use if you want to use it or your ball/patch combination is a tight one. My personal preference it to use one for all of my loading.
But, I am not into historical accuracy or reenacting so whether or not 'Ol Davy used one or not does not enter into the picture for me.

As for coconut oil as a patch lube...why not? I don't know any reason not to. Everything else has been tried. Shoot several bench rest shots at a target using your most accurate powder charge, ball and patch combo and use spit as your lube. Then, keeping everything else the same, switch to using coconut oil as your lube and see how it effects your accuracy. If your group changes for the better or has no change, go ahead and use coconut oil as your lube. If your accuracy is worse, you know coconut oil is not your best choice. It's fun to experiment so go have fun with your coconut oil and let us know how it works for you.

 

[running horse]

I've got one and use to use it all the time its a bit homely just a piece of vine maple for a mallet head and another piece split and carved roundish for a handle or to push the ball down the barrel it worked great just switched to a smaller bag and ran out of room so i mostly leave it at home.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Coconut oil melts at about 74 degrees fahrenheit. In moderate temperatures it can be messy.

Don't use it at any rifle matches near here,

Dated a gal in college that used coconut oil for skin lotion. If I smell coconut oil today, I got to take a cold shower.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have seen several other shooters break their ramrods during loading. I have also seen some ugly wounds from broken ramrods. I figure why run the risk of shoving a huge splinter through my hand in the event the wood rod breaks. I use a short starter religiously as well as a fiberglass or delrin range rod.

Not just you. Safety first. Always. :bow:

 

[Vaino]

Seeing most of my loading is from a loading block, a short starter is necessary...anyways to me. Why the loading block? Always when hunting and most of the time when on the range.....like consistency.

Never used coconut oil because coconut palm trees don't grow in Wisconsin. But, whatever does the job is the way to go.....Fred

 

[ohio ramrod]

Sort starters are a "some swear by them , some swear at them "item. Coconut oil will work fine as long as you don't use too much. The problem ( I believe) with lubes is most people use more than needed. Which is why Dutch's system helps so many people. It gets a small amount of lube on the patches. :idunno: :idunno:

 

[Dr5x]

Ramrod,
I cook withCoconut oil since I learned it is regarded as an anti Alzheimer method.
Never used it as a patch lube.
Thedifficulty of regulating the amount of lubrication as solved by an easy evaporation process so each patching stip was exactly lubricated the same way as every other strip.
Got rid of those vertical strings of otherwise well centers hits.

Dutch