Loading blocks and lubed patches

[roundball]

I've seen several posts about loading blocks being used as far back as the 1700's...and I've also seen a lot of references that 'spit' was used for patches instead of an actual lube.
But I figured those that used loading blocks had to use some sort of lube instead of spit so the patches wouldn't dry out in the block.

If that's true, what lube was probably used back then...some sort of bear grease, lard, etc?

 

[Ohio Joe]

I think your on the right track, "roundball"... Spit would dry out so it only makes sense that some sort of lube would have been used... It is possible to make a loose fitting bullet block with no lube on the patch and just rely on a thicker block to hold the patched ball in place, figuring it wouldn't travel completely through a deeper hole from carrying vibration??? I don't know? I think the lube is the answer,,, some kind of animal fat?

 

[Stumpkiller]

That's a good question. Probably whatever was available. Lard (rendered pork fat), any othered animal fat rendered into tallow. Beeswax. Various vegetable oils, maybe.

 

[dodgecity]

Back then it was mostly tallow mixtures. I use a 6 shot block for my hunting rifle and I use a commercially available tallow/beeswax formula. It works good for me. I know a lot of folks who use spit patches for target shooting, but I prefer to shoot the same combination for everything. A lot of shooters use plain old Crisco, and they seem quite happy with the results.

 

[Huntinfool]

Bear fat rendered has a unique quality it will not effect black powder. Also my mentor has used rendered sheep tallow for over 25 years it has a certain amount of lanolin in it. He also uses it for lip balm or chapped hands.

He bought a pint some years ago at Friendship and still has a lot left. He gave me a percussion cap container full it's amazing how far it'll go!

Keep Yer Powder Dry Fellers,
"The Chuckster" ::