Bear oil vs. bear grease

[will5a1]

While trying to clean and organize my workshop this morning I came across two pint mason jars of bear oil I picked up over the years. Both jars are now about half oil, half grease, the temp. in the workshop is about 65 F.

I had planned on using the bear oil as patch lube. Should I drain off the liquid oil into a third jar? Apply gentle heat to get the grease to go back into liquid form? Use as is? As best as I recall the jars use to be almost all liquid.

 

[Patocazador]

Note: I know nothing about bear oil/grease.

Like most fatty substances the lighter oil separates from the more solid dense substrate.

If you want a thin patch lube for winter/cold weather hunting, the oil seems to be the ticket. If you have conical bullets with lube grooves, the thicker base may be useful for that.

If neither scenario applies, heat it stir it up and just use every last drop.

My opinion only.

 

[BrownBear]

I have fat in the freezer, grease in a tub and oil in a jar. The grease would likely melt off a conical on even a moderately warm day.

Was me, I'd carefully drain off the oil and use that for a patch lube, combining the remaining grease in one jar if possible, then letting it set and continue to naturally "render." Takes a while, but the results are worth the wait. Sounds like you have plenty of oil now, so no need to rush it.

Assuming yours is black bear, we used to render black bear fat on the stove top for "bear fat," which we used rather than Crisco for frying. Best donuts ever! We kept it in the freezer and tightly sealed to avoid oxidation (rancidity), and there's a fair chance yours will be a little off for cooking considering its history.

Never used black bear for patch lube because I wasn't muzzleloading at the time. We don't have black bears here, but the oil from brown bear is a dandy lube. Have to be sparing on patches though, because it's almost too slick for best accuracy. I assume all that would be true for black bear oil, but I just don't know for sure. Certainly worth your experimenting.

 

[wattlebuster]

I have used both for yrs an its my favorite. I used the oil to lube my barrels after cleaning an after many yrs no rust or problems of any kind. I use the grease for patch lube. :thumbsup:

 

[will5a1]

I'll drain the oil off, maybe strain it through cheesecloth? The more solid grease will go into another jar or tin and I'll try using that for patchlube, maybe use the oil as a lube for the locks and metal. It is from a black bear. Thanks for everyone's input.