Minie Ball Lube suggestions ...
- Thread starter Nailcreek
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Same here.
Most anything will work, long long ago I "borrowed" my mom's "Crisco" and used that. I've been using a mix of about half 'N' half bee's wax and Ballistol, you can substitute olive oil or neatsfoot oil for the Ballistol. Vary the ratio of wax to oil to get the constincy you want.
Tumblernotch
69 Cal.
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The lube specified in the 1862 U.S. Army Ordnance Manual works well for me. It calls for 1 part Tallow and 8 parts Beeswax. To make it easier for me I substitute Crisco for the Tallow. If the weather is real hot, you can change the ratio to 1 part Crisco and 9 parts Beeswax. Set your Minies base down on a tray with handles or wires you can hold it with and set it down into another tray or pot of melted lube as high as just above the upper groove. Let set for a couple of seconds and lift out. Set aside to dry. After drying, push them through a sizer. It keeps the barrel lubed very well for the next shot.
Personally, I don't put any lube in the base cavity. It's wholly unnecessary and could contaminate the powder if left together very long, even this type of lube which is fairly solid. I know people who do it and it doesn't seem to bother them, but I don't want all that grease swarpin' around in the tube interfering with my powder goin' off. My bore is plenty greasy after a shot with grease just in the grooves.
Personally, I don't put any lube in the base cavity. It's wholly unnecessary and could contaminate the powder if left together very long, even this type of lube which is fairly solid. I know people who do it and it doesn't seem to bother them, but I don't want all that grease swarpin' around in the tube interfering with my powder goin' off. My bore is plenty greasy after a shot with grease just in the grooves.
Friends were over today, and among other projectiles, we casted up 30 minnies this morning. I lubed them with Moose Snot. I filled the bottom cavity and smeared the outside. We were shooting them in traditional sidelocks and even an inline.
They shot actually very well. These were casted from a Lee Minnie mold for the .50 caliber.
They shot actually very well. These were casted from a Lee Minnie mold for the .50 caliber.
robinghewitt
62 Cal.
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You want that stuff that stays in the grooves, doesn't make your fingers all greasy no matter how hot the day, seals the bore gastight, prevents leading, keeps the fouling soft and then washes away with cold water.
The name of it seems to have slipped my mind for a moment, perhaps someone could help me out here?
:what: :: :thumbsup:
The name of it seems to have slipped my mind for a moment, perhaps someone could help me out here?
:what: :: :thumbsup:
Rat
50 Cal.
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I think that filling the base cavity is one of those things that seems logical on the surface, but really has absolutely no value.
Be aware that sometimes minnies and minnie rifles will shoot tighter groups with little or almost no lube. Keep in mind that most minnies move much slower than the velocities that normally cause leading...even with pure lead projectiles.
I have a rifle and one paticular minnie that demonstrates this...it shoots best with just the very bottom groove LIGHTLY lubed. In other words an individual rifle may or may not shoot best with a lot of lube...try them bare, and lightly lubed. Forget about filling the base cavity unless you can demonstate, or prove to yourself that it is providing some benefit.
Rat
Be aware that sometimes minnies and minnie rifles will shoot tighter groups with little or almost no lube. Keep in mind that most minnies move much slower than the velocities that normally cause leading...even with pure lead projectiles.
I have a rifle and one paticular minnie that demonstrates this...it shoots best with just the very bottom groove LIGHTLY lubed. In other words an individual rifle may or may not shoot best with a lot of lube...try them bare, and lightly lubed. Forget about filling the base cavity unless you can demonstate, or prove to yourself that it is providing some benefit.
Rat
