Jute Tow

[tomatobodhi]

Has anyone waxed their tow for cushion/overwad or done something else to it to decrease the chance of throwing embers during drought/fireban weather?

I’ve never shot with tow, but I’d like change that.

I’ve also never started a wildfire, and I’d like to keep *that* the same.

Any tips regarding tow - jute or flax - would be appreciated.

 

[Banjoman]

When I use a wad/ball of jute tow, I always lube it with either a homemade mixture of beeswax and olive oil or spit. Sometimes both. I’ve never had a wad burn by doing this.

Also, I learned one shortcut not worth taking. I once (and only once) tried to push down a dry wad of jute tow, ball and another wad of jute tow all at the same time with no lube. I only did this once. It went halfway down and stopped. I won’t go into how I cleared it.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I engreasen the tow I use as wadding for my fowling pieces with mink's tallow.

No smoulders. No fires. Cuts fouling and shoots very, very well.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

When I use a wad/ball of jute tow, I always lube it with either a homemade mixture of beeswax and olive oil or spit. Sometimes both. I’ve never had a wad burn by doing this.

Also, I learned one shortcut not worth taking. I once (and only once) tried to push down a dry wad of jute tow, ball and another wad of jute tow all at the same time with no lube. I only did this once. It went halfway down and stopped. I won’t go into how I cleared it.

Well said, Banjoman. It doesn't ever seem to want to all go down at once very well. I always ram the overpowder wad, then the ball, then overpowder all seperate.

 

[tenngun]

I use a bit of lard squeezed in to my tow, hemp or linen

 

[waksupi]

To make it more fire resistant, mix up Borax in water, soak the tow, and let dry.
Using any type of grease would increase the chance of fire.

If you are shooting during a fire ban, I hope you get a nice big fine from the local cops. We've had around a million acres burn here in Montana so far this year. You would probably be hung forthwith if you were shooting in a closed area.

I usually close down my range a couple weeks before the forest service closes the woods. I don't even shoot a .22 in those conditions.

 

[Cruzatte]

I've used Stumpy's Moose Milk, & I've used plain ol' water to moisten the tow I use as wads.

 

[tenngun]

I disagree that grease increases fire risk. Hard lard doesn’t burn. In order to get it to burn it has to melt. The same principle as a candle.
A greased wad of tow can be caught on fire if you hold a match to it long enough to melt the grease so it lights.
Thinking of a 42” barrel that shoots a load that gets 1300 fps.
That means the average velocity of the load in the barrel is 750 fps. Your wad is only exposed to heat for 4/1000 of a second
Like passing your finger through a candle flame it’s not exposed to the heat long enough to melt the fat into a flammable substance

 

[waksupi]

How do you explain smoldering patches?

 

[tenngun]

How do you explain smoldering patches?

I don’t know
Frayed edges
I can say in almost fifty years I’ve ever had a smoldering patch
I’ve heard of them, sure they happen
And if your in a tinder box and you start a fire don’t tell the judge tenngun said it was ok

 

[Brokennock]

Yes.

 

[Cruzatte]

How do you explain smoldering patches?

Not that difficult:

• Fabric too thin
• Not enough lubrication

 

[waksupi]

Not that difficult:

• Fabric too thin
• Not enough lubrication

Still, heat needs applied to make it smolder.

 

[wiscoaster]

.....

Any tips regarding tow - jute or flax - would be appreciated.

Find something to watch while making tow from jute twine:
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/why-a-constitution-to-make-tow.184811/

 

[andy52]

I disagree that grease increases fire risk. Hard lard doesn’t burn. In order to get it to burn it has to melt. The same principle as a candle.
A greased wad of tow can be caught on fire if you hold a match to it long enough to melt the grease so it lights.
Thinking of a 42” barrel that shoots a load that gets 1300 fps.
That means the average velocity of the load in the barrel is 750 fps. Your wad is only exposed to heat for 4/1000 of a second
Like passing your finger through a candle flame it’s not exposed to the heat long enough to melt the fat into a flammable substance

Not that I wish to make an issue out of this but cold lard and the heat of the blast will liquefy the lard and you've got a big candle.

 

[tenngun]

Not that I wish to make an issue out of this but cold lard and the heat of the blast will liquefy the lard and you've got a big candle.

Prehaps
And no it’s not worth the time of issue
But I don’t think exposure to the heat of burning powder for 4/1000 of a second is enough to melt the far
But maybe
In any case I’ve not had it happen to me
But if I’m in a tinder box I don’t shoot

 

[wiscoaster]

....
But if I’m in a tinder box I don’t shoot

Good precaution. If more people were aware of their surroundings maybe we wouldn't have so many of these wild fires in the west.

 

[andy52]

Prehaps
And no it’s not worth the time of issue
But I don’t think exposure to the heat of burning powder for 4/1000 of a second is enough to melt the far
But maybe
In any case I’ve not had it happen to me
But if I’m in a tinder box I don’t shoot

I keep my range well mowed for that very reason. If it weren't so far for you to come to my range, I would invite you to my annual shoot on the 5th 0f Oct. Myself a some other muzzleloaders that you know will be shooting that weekend. got to get ready for the fall Fort.

 

[tenngun]

Will miss the fort this fall, invited to a little private event, that hopefully will work out good

 

[AwwNaww]

When on a public range I carry a bicyclist's water bottle. That way I can hose down a smoker from behind the firing line.