Crisco as patch lube?

[DarenN]

several people have mentioned useing Crisco as patch lube. my question is, how do you apply it to the patches? just smear it on? or melt the Crisco and dip the patches?
thanks.

 

[Norinco]

Either works, I just rub it in.

 

[Bill Hall]

Yep, I've tried a number of different ways to get the crisco into the patch, but the best way I've found is to get a little on your thumb and forefinger, and just rub it in. If you stack all your lubed patches in one container, after a while the lube kinda soaks from patch to patch, and the amount per patch becomes consistant.

Keep a towel near by so you can wipe off your greasy hands in case the phone rings, or else it could shoot out of your hands like a wet bar of soap. Bill

 

[tman891]

I have used solid crisco for years with good results. I melt some in a container and throw in the amount of precut patches I think I will need. When they are soaked I grab them and ring them out squeezing by hand. I use a paper towel to soak up any extra. I never mix a new and old batch and don't use anything more than a month or two old. Tman

 

[rafterob]

I use crisco and have used two methods; pre lubed and lubing as I load. I have gone to lubing as I load almost exclusively (at the range). When I pre-lubed strips, I would lay down a length of wax paper or plastic wrap on the counter top next to the stove. Melt the crisco in a pan and then move the pan to the edge of the stove as close to the wax paper as possible. Start one end of the fabric strip into the lube with the rest of it layed out opposite the wax paper. I would then use a rubber spatula in my left hand to press the strip against the edge of the pan as I pulled it through the lube with my right hand and then layed it out on the waxed paper. That would get most of the excess crisco out. Then I would squegee more lube out of the strip with the rubber spatula while it lay on the waxed paper. I would then drape the lube strip over something (like a dowel cantilevered over the edge of the counter) until it "dried". Then roll up the strips and store in a baggie. In use, your fingers will get quite greasy from handling the strip of fabric, which is why I have mainly switched to the next method. I fill my empty cap tins with crisco and use them as an applicator for the lube. I hold the patch strip in my left hand, supporting the end with my index finger from the underside, and then holding the tin of crisco in my left hand, rub it liberally onto the fabric. I only lube the barrel contact side of the patch. Put that on the muzzle, start the ball and cut off the excess. My theory is that the "dry" side of the patch material will grip the ball better. No mess-no fuss.

 

[brubincam]

-----put patches in a dish with crisco on top--microwave till it melts--WA LA----- :idunno:

 

[Deadeye]

I use this little press to sqeeze them almost dry after heating them in a small jar with the crisco,
then store them in a cap tin. patches

are completely soaked equally but almost dry to the touch. I usually just do about 20 at a time because I only use them when I expect to leave the gun loaded for awhile. For most shooting I use spit.
Deadeye

 

[goon]

I used it the other day because it's what I had available. Wouldn't trust it for warmer weather but it's cold enough now to get away with it.
I just smeared some on the patches, put them in a container in the microwave, let the heat do the work, then let them cool down. Worked well enough for what I needed.

 

[longcruise]

Yes! The microwave is the muzzle loaders friend! :haha:

I usually just rub a bit in the patch before shooting or maybe put 6 or 8 pre-rubbed in my bag. When making a bunch I try to smear an even and consistent amount on a strip, roll up and microwave till melted. Then it can be cut to square patches or cut at the muzzle.

I have been mixing about 10% bees wax in the crisco but don't really see any advantage to doing so. As long as the straight crisco is not overdone it will not bee too runny.

 

[bucktales]

Yes! The microwave is the muzzle loaders friend! :haha:

So is the dash of your vehicle on a sunny day. :thumbsup:

 

[Blackfoot]

I have used crisco solid for some years now I melt crisco and pour it on stacks of patches then squeezing out excess. Let dry on wax paper, then bag them up.
They will keep for years and work great even in cold weather.

 

[brubincam]

-----liquid crisco is even better than solid-----

 

[buzz]

i just tryed some crisco last weekend
seems to work fine on my cotton ticking patch
and came homewand used murphys oil soap as my bore/gun cleaner both work great
until the little lady found her crisco on my bench
she sent me packing to the food store a place ive gone only to buy beer walk up and down every isle
until it was located

 

[CaptainKirk]

I've used Crisco for years as a REAL bullet lube with zero problems.
I also use it on my C&B pistols to seal the cylinders...it CAN get a bit messy on a hot August day. I carry a good supply of rags.

 

[goon]

I used it on C&B revolvers too and remember it getting really runny. Would you worry about it contaminating powder on a warm day if it was used on a patch?
Because if not, and no one has problems, I'll stick to the generic crisco I got last week for lube. A huge can costs $3.

 

[CaptainKirk]

If you're worried about it getting runny and contaminating your powder, use a Wonder Wad (or generic substitute)over the powder...and your generic Crisco will last a loooong time!
Personally, I prefer the Real Crisco over the generics. There is a difference, small though it may be....

 

[Zonie]

For those Foreign members who are not familiar with Crisco, it is a white solidified vegetable oil that comes in a can.

It has been sold in the U.S.A. for well over 50 years and is available in almost every food store.

It is used for cooking and as a shortening when making pie crusts and such.

It has no salt added and it is relatively low cost.

I've heard that it isn't sold in many places around the world but you probably have a similar product and it would work about the same in a muzzleloading rifle or pistol.

 

[CaptainKirk]

My bad, Zonie; You don't always remember that we have members all over the world, going "WTF is he talking about....?" I'll try to remember this in future posts!

 

[longcruise]

I've heard that it isn't sold in many places around the world but you probably have a similar product and it would work about the same in a muzzleloading rifle or pistol.

Indeed! I have used salt free lard to good effect as well as Crisco.

 

[goon]

If you're worried about it getting runny and contaminating your powder, use a Wonder Wad (or generic substitute)over the powder...and your generic Crisco will last a loooong time!
Personally, I prefer the Real Crisco over the generics. There is a difference, small though it may be....

I actually doubt I need to be that concerned. I don't hunt at this point so my muzzleloader only stays loaded long enough for me to get it to my shoulder anyhow.
I'll probably replace the generic stuff with the real stuff if I find out the generic stuff is salted. I clean the gun right after I shoot, but I've already done enough work cleaning it up and don't want to lose any of my progress because of salt.