Grease Holes?

[Smokey Plainsman]

Anybody ever have or seen a rifle with a "grease hole" in the stock? From my readings some of the rifles made had a hole bored into the side of the butt stock that was packed with grease. The grease was used to lube a patch before loading. Seems like a handy way to always have some patch lube on hand. One could carry pre-cut but unlubed patches in his pouch and lube them as they went. I would think something like mink's oil tallow would be a good thing for this, as it stays mostly solid. About the only problem I could see with this is that it could pick up some dirt from the ground etc. but I bet it could be wiped off easily. I am having a .36 percussion squirrel rifle made for me and am thinking of having the maker add ones of these grease holes to the stock.

Thoughts?

 

[Rifleman1776]

They did exist and were used as you describe. I had a rifle built by "JB" [dunno who that was :idunno: ] that had one. But, the grit and dirt it accumulated was a huge problem. I didn't use and don't recommend. :nono:

 

[coloradoclyde]

I have a grease hole on one of my squirrel rifles...I debated the idea for a long time before I took a Forstner bit and began drilling.

I do not regret my decision....I really like it on that particular gun, it lends it's self well to the "poor boy/barn gun style"....But I don't think they would be visually appealing on just any style of gun... I probably won't put one in another gun though....

I use a harder lube (beeswax/olive oil) in mine....and the diameter of the hole is just slightly larger than the patch.

 

[crockett]

I always thought you would get a lot of dirt and grit stuck on the grease?

 

[bob308]

I saw a few all were southern poor boy rifles. all were iron mounted. one id not even have a butt plate.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Most interesting! Yes, the one I am having made for me will be a plain and simple "poor boy" southern mountain rifle with browned iron mountings and no decoration. I was interested in the hole to have something a little "diffurnt" and so I could keep the unlubed patches in my shooting back so they don't dry and spread their grease.

But I can see the dirt getting in it. Even if I didn't use it I still think it would look neat.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

As mentioned in another reply you're going to need to either mix the fat with beeswax, and it would probably be a very good idea to get actual beef or mutton suet from your butcher (the hardest of fats, from around the kidneys, often used in salami, summer sausage, etc) to keep the melting point high on the lube.

LD

 

[rafterob]

You keep a patch stuck to the grease, it keeps the dirt off the grease and you have a patch ready when you need it.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Clever! I didn't think to do that.

Think I'll go ahead and contact the maker to bore me a grease hole. Maybe I should just do it myself?

 

[coloradoclyde]

I always thought you would get a lot of dirt and grit stuck on the grease?

It hasn't been an issue so far....But I do use a stiffer lube and the hole is the same size as a patch so I can place a patch over it if I need to.

Also don't have sand storms in my area... :wink:

 

[Col. Batguano]

Couldn't you make it with a closing lid on it similar to the small patch boxes on English sporting rifles, or wouldn't that be HC / PC?

 

[coloradoclyde]

IMO a lid would cause it to lose functionality...A lid would get in the way of me gently rubbing my thumb in a circular motion over the hole to grease the patch one handed...

 

[Zonie]

Seems to me, if my rifle had a grease hole in the stock, I'd lube my patch by greasing it twice to take care of the dirt/leaves/grass that got stuck in the grease.

The first side of the patch would wipe off most of the debris and then I would turn it over to wipe the grease again.

The second side of the newly greased patch would then be placed against the muzzle of the charged barrel placing the dirty side up.

When the ball was rammed down the bore, the dirty side of the patch would end up against the ball where it could do no harm to the bore.

 

[rustyh]

The Dixie Tennessee Mountain rifles all had the grease hole in the butt stock. However I don't use mine for greasing patches. When I am on a woods walk or at rendezvous I usually spit patch. When at the range I have a bottle of lube that I use.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Thanks, gang. I sent a PM to the rifle maker working on my squirrel rifle to add a grease hole. Just adds another layer of fun, whether or not I end up using it!! :grin:

 

[mooman76]

The Dixie Tennessee Mountain rifles all had the grease hole in the butt stock. However I don't use mine for greasing patches. When I am on a woods walk or at rendezvous I usually spit patch. When at the range I have a bottle of lube that I use.

Mine has one. I bought it used but don't use it.

 

[BrownBear]

... the grit and dirt it accumulated was a huge problem....

A bud got all hot and bothered, and just had to have a grease hole. After accumulating dirt, grit, leaves and grass in the grease every time he went out, he filled it with blond wood dough for "looks" and went back to his usual lubing method. He likes the looks of the grease hole full of "grease" now, but most certainly hates using a grease hole.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

The maker of my squirrel rifle just messaged me back, my rifle is going to have a grease hole. :grin:

 

[Many Klatch]

I built a rifle with a grease hole in it about 30 years ago. Sometime between now and then a mouse decided that it liked the taste of the tallow and beeswax mixture. Now my rifle has some tooth patina around the grease hole.

Since I only use spit patch the grease in the hole has rarely been used. But it is proper for an early Indiana hog rifle.

 

[rafterob]

Try Peanut butter