Lubed patch deterioration

[Dalekg6]

Hi,

I know everyone has their favorite lube and I don't want to get into that. My question is, has anyone noticed lubed patches becoming weaker with some types of lubes?

I was using material from an old cotton shirt that measures .010. Once the bore had a little fouling in it I pushed a ball through the patch. I noticed the patch tore easily. I checked other patches. I had plastic bags with patches lubed with different things. They have been in the bags for about 2 months. Some patches tore easily others didn't. The only difference was which lube was on the patch.

 

[paulvallandigham]

LUbed patches can break down, and should be used within a few months to a year at most. After that, throw them away. I have some patches I loaded with Wonderlube, not expecting there to be any problem. However, after some had been in a container in my bag for many years, I used one, and promptly recovered the remains of the torn and burned patch. My gun never burns through, or tears patchs. I switch to some unlubed patches and use spit to lube them, and they shot just fine. Bacteria need mositure, heat, and food to feed on. There is bacteria in the fabric, and in the air, and given enough time, they will attack and eat the cotton fibers in your patching.

 

[sniper68]

LUbed patches can break down, and should be used within a few months to a year at most.

Found out decades ago that Paul is right(as always). :thumbsup: I put mine in the freezer. They don't seem to deteriorate. I've kept that way for as long a three years with no apparent changes. It will also show what your lube will do in winter conditions.

sniper

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I keep any pre-lubed patches in an old pill bottle tight lid. I don't have a lot, maybe 100.

 

[jtmattison]

I have 1200 pre-lubed T/C and Ox-Yoke .015 patches that have been around a few years. I think I'll put them in the freezer too since I will probably not use them within the next ten years. I primarily use drill cloth and ticking patches I make myself. They have sat pre-lubed for many months and I don't see any problems with them.

HD

 

[roundball]

Hi,

I know everyone has their favorite lube and I don't want to get into that. My question is, has anyone noticed lubed patches becoming weaker with some types of lubes?

I was using material from an old cotton shirt that measures .010. Once the bore had a little fouling in it I pushed a ball through the patch. I noticed the patch tore easily. I checked other patches. I had plastic bags with patches lubed with different things. They have been in the bags for about 2 months. Some patches tore easily others didn't. The only difference was which lube was on the patch.

Good quality commercial patches last for years and years...I have bags of precut cotton and pillow ticking patches that have been prelubed with Natural Lube 1000 sitting on a shelf for the years that I've had them, and they were old when I bought them from a private business closing down back in the 90's...just as perfect today as when they were made.

It may be your lube, but what I'd personnaly suspect is the T-shirt material...that is a nortoriously weak fabric to begin with...firm resistance from fouling or something would easily allow a ball to be forced through it

 

[jtmattison]

I agree with Roundball. I use cut up t-shirt for cleaning patches. Sometimes I push a jag right through the patch. I wouldn't use t-shirt for roundball patching. The weave is too loose.

HD

 

[Ohio Joe]

I too agree with Roundball over the T-shirt patching.

I cut and lube my own patches (blue pillow ticking & TC 1000+) and have never had a problem with them staying sound for usage. I try to keep at least 300 on hand at all times. Maybe they're not having time to break down?

In any event, I've also had lubed patch & ball in bullet blocks for a year and better at times and they shoot great... :hmm:

 

[Dalekg6]

Hi again,

First of all, it was a regular cotton shirt, NOT a T-shirt, been there tried that. The weave and thickness appear to be identical to some pre cut unlubed .010 patching I bought at Friendship.

The thing is some patches otherwise identical except for the lube are more fragile than others with different lube. The ones with Bore Butter/Wonder Lube or Lehigh Valley lube are the good ones. The bad ones were lubed with a synthetic grease which is a very good rust preventative or a natural base gun cleaner.

I wanted to try different things, I guess I learned things. I also decided I like the thin lubes like Lehigh valley or the gun cleaner better than the thicker ones like Wonder Lube or the synthetic grease. The reason is simply that they are less messy.

Anyway, thanks, maybe it's not just my imagination.

Dale

 

[feyx0006]

Were the "bad" patches made from a more worn part of the shirt (around elbows, shoulders, etc.)? Is there any synthetic blend to the fabric? If so I bet that your synthetic grease still has some solvent in it that is dissolving the synthetic fibers and weakening the patches.

 

[Runner]

Most of the "Moose Milk" type lubes will cause patch rot. Ballistol does also using it mixed with water and then letting the patches dry. Nothing wrong with those lubes, but you need to use up your supply and make new ones regularly if you use those types of lubes. BB and Natural lube 1000 don't seem to do it unless you use one certain batch of ticking I got a few years back. In the light canvas type materials, I think BB would be ok for 20 years or better!

 

[Vaino]

A few years back I loaned some pillow ticking patches to a friend and we went squirrel hunting. Met him in the woods later on and he complained that the patches were tearing when the short starter was used. Checked the patches and sure enough the patches were rotting. Stopped using "Crisco" and switched to "Wonderlube" and haven't had a promlem since and store them in zip-lock bags.....Fred