Easiest warm weather maxi lube - Beeswax + ??

[morehops52]

I've decided to try lubing maxis with something other than Bore Butter which is too runny. The consistency of it at moderate outdoor temps + finger temp applying it is a mess. So I've already ordered the beeswax. I am looking for hopefully just one more ingredient to add to get something that's not too much more involved than heating, mixing and cooling and if i need to apply it by hand it's not going to melt. I do plan on bulk lubing in a pan. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Olive oil is one ingredient, castor oil is another, and neat's-foot oil (the real stuff, not the artificial version) is a third. For that matter any high temperature cooking oil will work.

The cheapest olive oil is fine for making the lube.

I use a mix of one part bee's wax to 7 parts of oil to make a fairly soft summer lube. More wax in the boiler will stiffen the lube. I will pour 7 ounces of oil in a cup measure, then add chunks of bee's wax to bring the level to 8 ounces.

Softer lube will be better for your maxi lube. The mix of wax and oil will eventually result in fouling that requires a solvent more capable of removing oil and wax than soap and water for most black powder fouling.

 

[SmokepoleSam]

Grenadier what kind of solvent do you recommend? Thank you

 

[Grenadier1758]

I use rubbing alcohol.

 

[SmokepoleSam]

Thanks for your reply

 

[dave951]

For minies, I use beeswax/lard with a tbs of EVO.

Like Grenadier, I use alcohol, but I use denatured alcohol.

 

[morehops52]

For minies, I use beeswax/lard with a tbs of EVO.

Like Grenadier, I use alcohol, but I use denatured alcohol.

Well I guess you can look at it as Bourbon or Scotch serving dual purposes

 

[morehops52]

Thanks for the replies. The bees wax is on it's way.

 

[dave951]

Well I guess you can look at it as Bourbon or Scotch serving dual purposes

For those of us with roots in Appalachia, we tend to make our own. Better living through mountaineer chemistry, just flavor to suit.

 

[Grenadier1758]

For those of us with roots in Appalachia, we tend to make our own. Better living through mountaineer chemistry, just flavor to suit.

But when you cut your own brew with enough water to make it drinkable, then there's too much water to rapidly cut through the wax and grease encrusted fouling. Besides there's too much of your own labor invested in making your own to use it up to clean out fouling.

 

[dave951]

But when you cut your own brew with enough water to make it drinkable, then there's too much water to rapidly cut through the wax and grease encrusted fouling. Besides there's too much of your own labor invested in making your own to use it up to clean out fouling.

Fouling? What's that?

 

[Grenadier1758]

@dave951, you are using properly fitting, well lubricated Minie' balls. You won't be expected to know what fouling is.

 

[Rifleman1776]

JoJoba oil is great. Just mix with the wax over a low heat until you have the consistency you want. The only part about your question is where you say you "ordered" beeswax. The avocation of raising bees (bee keeping) is far more popular than most people realize. Visit or call your local extension agent and ask for names of some beekeepers. Contact them and you will be able to buy your wax at very low cost and maybe even no cost. Buying some honey can 'lube' the process.

 

[Woody Morgan]

But when you cut your own brew with enough water to make it drinkable, then there's too much water to rapidly cut through the wax and grease encrusted fouling. Besides there's too much of your own labor invested in making your own to use it up to clean out fouling.

Use the foreshots and heads. You don't wanna drink that shizz anyways.

wm

 

[morehops52]

JoJoba oil is great. Just mix with the wax over a low heat until you have the consistency you want. The only part about your question is where you say you "ordered" beeswax. The avocation of raising bees (bee keeping) is far more popular than most people realize. Visit or call your local extension agent and ask for names of some beekeepers. Contact them and you will be able to buy your wax at very low cost and maybe even no cost. Buying some honey can 'lube' the process.

Excellent idea.

 

[IronHand]

I once tried Beeswax and Murphys Oil Soap. Makes a pretty good high temperature lube and it smells good too.

IronHand

 

[OkieDougie]

I use a mix that starts with 1lb of bees wax, 12 oz of fat. (I use lard) and 4 oz of Balistol.
Is my patch lube, and black powder cartridge lube, cap and ball pistol lube. Works good for all my needs.

 

[Billy Boy]

But when you cut your own brew with enough water to make it drinkable, then there's too much water to rapidly cut through the wax and grease encrusted fouling. Besides there's too much of your own labor invested in making your own to use it up to clean out fouling.

I would never waste a drop on cleaning a gun….

 

[ohio ramrod]

I use 20% bees wax and 80% salt free lard.

 

[DuncNZ]

Bees wax is not an effective lube on its own , it is the medium which makes the other oils etc you add able to be evenly applied and handled , it stiffens what ever oils you use , add more for hot weather less for cold . Only use yellow bees wax , the white bees wax has been refined and is slightly different to the yellow stuff . Measure everything carefully and record your recipe , I once made an excellent bullet lube using Bees wax ,some spare lanolin and part of an old whale wax candle , I could never repeat it as the candle was a one off and I was unsure as to how much lanolin I used .