Mink Oil

[RustyC]

I'm not sure if it's me or if my barrel is starting to season some, but I switched to mink oil, after a friend told me about it on my patches. My patterns seemed to tighten up some.I really didn't notice much difference when I cleaned the barrel, so it didn't make it cleaner.
I had some for my boots, but my Hawkens seems to like it. Anybody else used this?

 

[Grenadier1758]

There are a number of shooters that use mink oil and are quite satisfied with the results. Could have been a good day where you were able to see the target better or the lighting was perfect. Whatever, you are getting a better performance from your gun. Continue using mink oil. If the improved performance continues, then you should set that load as your standard load.

 

[Treestalker]

I considered it but like many things nowadays, mink oil is made from petroleum products IIRC, and may cause dismay eventually by causing tar buildup. At least that was my fear, having learned the hard way with SAE 30 :shocked2: . If it works for you with no clean up problems, Bravo! Like they say in the Army, 'if it looks stupid but it works, it's not stupid' Keep in touch, and let us know how it does long term. Thanks, Treestalker.

 

[jamesthomas]

The Mink Oil you should be using is "Track of the Wolfs" "Mink Oil". I use it for hunting as you can leave you rifle loaded for 2 to 3 days with it, which you shouldn't do if you use a liquid lube. This is the Oil that you hearing about people using. I don't know about the Mink Oil you are using. Btw, the barrel seasoning you mentioned? Well, there is no such thing as "Barrel Seasoning".

 

[Rifleman1776]

mink oil is made from petroleum products IIRC, and may cause dismay eventually by causing tar buildup

:bull: Please come back to earth.
Mink oil comes from unhappy minks.
Petroleum products are not the evil the ml myth makers claim them to be.
BTW, how can anything "buildup" if you clean regularly?

 

[Spikebuck]

Armakiller is correct. Track of the Wolf's mink oil is made from rendered mink fat...it's not petroleum based.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/132/1/MINK-OIL

I use it as a patch lube on guns that like it best. Living up north, it doesn't freeze or get to hard in severe weather like other lubes might.

 

[BrownBear]

Among my array of muzzleloaders ranging from 30 cal to 75 cal and both flint and cap, the TOW mink oil tallow is the most universal lube. A gun here and there might like something else a little better but ALL of them shoot well with the mink oil tallow. As Spikebuck points out, it's "friendlier" over a wider range of temperatures than any other grease-type lube I've ever tried.

 

[Treestalker]

Well, I stand corrected. :surrender: I could have sworn the last can of mink oil I bought said "contains petroleum compounds" or some such. Looking at the two cans I now own, Kiwi brand says "a rich blend of mink oil, silicone, and lanolin" and SofSole brand says
"mink oil". You're right, Rifleman 1776, I'm full of :bull: Now let me see, where did I leave that bottle of Sperm Whale Oil? Is it real, or is it memorex? :shocked2:
My Bad, Treestalker.

 

[RustyC]

I'll try the ToW brand when I place my order. I am using Mermac right now. Came from a tack shop, and it is very good. 100% mink oil. http://www.mermacminkoil.com/faq.htm#Made

 

[Claude Mathis]

mink oil is made from petroleum products IIRC, and may cause dismay eventually by causing tar buildup

:bull: Please come back to earth.
Mink oil comes from unhappy minks.

Don't tell him where "baby powder" comes from?

 

[fcderosa]

ToTW mink oil works great for boots and rifle. Having been a spit baller for years I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt, that putting a patch lubed with mink oil in you mouth is nasty. Shave your tongue, drag it in wet grass nasty. :hmm: It will though, break a person of the habit of putting the next patch in their mouth :grin:

 

[Treestalker]

Did you read what TOTW had to say about synthetic blends? Try buying real sperm oil nowdays. George B.

 

[paul54]

I agree. I also use it to lube conicals. Don't shoot many of them, mostly RB's. :wink:

 

[Alden]

Oil of Olay is great. Water, Mineral Oil, Glycerin... I might try using it on patches someday myself.