patch lube for below freezing weather

[oomcurt]

For the past weeks I have been reading all the posts that deal with patch lube. Seems that there are two different "camps" if you will. The wonderall or TC Bore Butter and the water with various mixed ingredients added.

Ah me...decisions...decisions...ok..one last try. Will someone please tell me what would work best in below freezing conditions? Now I know that this is almost like asking which is the best breed of dog for coon hunting and the like....and even though I am new at this I kind of have some ideas as to what I may like...it is just that I would really appreciate some advice that is based on hard facts. It would be really great if one could come up with a lube that would work in the temp was 110 degrees in the shade or 40 degrees below zero.

Thanking those that reply in advance,
Curt

 

[Griz]

I've been using Lehigh Valley Patch lube for many years and it works great for me. I placed a couple patches on a plate that was soaked with Lehigh and let it in the freezer for days and it will not freeze. I also know it make MY clean up much easier. There is a new mixture out and some may say it isn't good....I've used it and can see no difference. :imo: Lehigh Valley can be bought at Track of The Wolf at the cheapest price I've found yet. http://www.trackofthewolf.com/categories/partList.aspx?catID=5&subID=64&styleID=216 scroll down about half way in this site and you will find it. Hope this helps. :front:

 

[sse]

A lot here have mentioned Crisco. I'm going to give bear oil a try.

Regards, sse

 

[Stumpkiller]

40

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. Oomcurt,
We hope to give Mr. Stumpy's Moose Snot a through try next winter (had a hard time locating the necesary ingredients). Will be using it this summer as well; just have to get a batch made up. Will provide what info we can for use at -40 degrees below zero F, after freeze up next winter.
In the past, we have used R.E.A.L.s in the winter because of the difficulity in getting a PRB down the barrel, at such temperatures.
Best Wishes

 

[Tahquamenon]

I've had no problems and good results with the T/C NL1000 Bore Butter below zero. In weather over 90 degrees, I use Rooster Labs PL-16 patch lube.

:m2c:

 

[NORD]

Again I think Track of the Wolf Mink oil is the best way to go in any temperature...it is a good subsitute for the good old whale oil. :front:

 

[roundball]

For the past weeks I have been reading all the posts that deal with patch lube. Seems that there are two different "camps" if you will. The wonderall or TC Bore Butter and the water with various mixed ingredients added.

Ah me...decisions...decisions...ok..one last try. Will someone please tell me what would work best in below freezing conditions? Now I know that this is almost like asking which is the best breed of dog for coon hunting and the like....and even though I am new at this I kind of have some ideas as to what I may like...it is just that I would really appreciate some advice that is based on hard facts. It would be really great if one could come up with a lube that would work in the temp was 110 degrees in the shade or 40 degrees below zero.

Thanking those that reply in advance,
Curt

All I ever use is Natural Lube 1000...BUT...I've never LIVED anywhere it was 40* below zero...much less intentionally went outside to go hunting in it!!
:: :: ::

That kind of weather is what electric blankets and warm sweeties are made for !
:crackup: :crackup:

 

[strongarm]

No patch will do it all. And the patch lube is the least of your worries. The only thing patch lubes are suppose to do is: 1) Keep the fouling soft, 2) Slightly lube the barrel so the ball goes done easy and 3) keep the patch from buring through.

I generally use a mixture of 60% Grape Seed oil, 33% beeswax and 7% Bore Butter. In the winter, I add a little more oil mainly to keep the patch soft. :thumbsup:

 

[Griz]

Strongarm, I agree with your number 1, 2 and 3 but I also think he has a legitimate concern about freezing. One year I hunted all day, out in the weather and it never got above 10 degrees. At the end of the day my patch was froze to the barrel. I wasn't using Lehigh Valley at the time. When I shot it out at the end of the day it felt like 100 mules kicked me all at once. I may get chewed up for this one but freezing can happen and it is a concern, at least for me. I have hunted in weather like that since and using Lehigh, it didn't freeze and shot out just fine at the end of the day. I do feel that it works in all situations because I shoot year round and we get into the 90's with high humidity in the summer, and in the winter we get weather cold enough to even keep Roundball inside the house :: Sorry Roundball, the devil made me do it. :front:

 

[shmrck1]

That kind of weather is what electric blankets and warm sweeties are made for

roundball,
:agree: 40 below is not hunting temp
it's cuddling temp!! :hmm: :m2c: eace: :applause:
I'm sure you know what i ment
snake-eyes

 

[shmrck1]

I've used all of Stumpy's mixtures with great success,
but i don't hunt in below zero whether(at least not
very long).
I have found out that deer don't get
whether reports and they have to do what a deer
has to do, no matter the temp. (eat-sleep-mate & be
hunted)
snake-eyes :hmm: :thumbsup:

 

[halfstock54]

I've used Lehigh in the past and had no problems with it freezing in the barrel. Here in Nebraska, December can be warm or incredibly cold. About 2 years ago, I switched to bear fat/beeswax. I have a batch I keep frozen for winter use that has less beeswax, and my summer batch just has more beeswax. Never had a problem with it freezing.

:results:


Scott/Ne

 

[sse]

nuther vote for bear fat.........

 

[oomcurt]

Thank you all for your comments. Reason I brought up the low temp thing is I am originally from Wisconsin...and have spent a lot of time outdoors in the winter. I and another fellow had a wood business in the winter..I've spent more than one day spliting wood in 30 below weather. Actually, it is a lot easier and faster to split wood at that temp. Hunting..same way, come deer season 20 below was not at all uncommon...and we were out all day. I'm not at all sure Colorado will drop that low where I intend to hunt...but it is possible. I know about 15-20 years ago we had a cold snap in January where it dropped to 20 below and the wind cut like a razor.

 

[cayugad]

I used moose milk on my patches last year here in Northern Wisconsin. Of course it was not all that cold last deer season. I never had any problem with the moose milk.

 

[Twisted_1in66]

I've had no problems and good results with the T/C NL1000 Bore Butter below zero. In weather over 90 degrees, I use Rooster Labs PL-16 patch lube.

:m2c:

Good heavens Taquamenon, how in the world did you ever get it out of the tube. I tried using that here in Vermont at just a little bit above O and I could have split wood by hitting it with that tube. There was no chance of squeezing any of that stuff out of the tube. Worked just fine during the summer and early fall, but December and January here you would have had a better chance of getting a bear out of his hidy-hole than getting any of that minty smelling substance out of the tube. Come to think of it, I couldn't smell it when it got that cold.

Then I started using Stumpy's Moose Snot. Doesn't freeze, and as long as you use a reasonable amount of it, you don't need to wipe between shots. Good Stuff!

 

[Tahquamenon]

:crackup:

You are absolutely correct. NL1000 will not flow out of the tube below zero and you will have better luck coaxing a bear from it's den. In fact, NL1000 does not flow well at room temperature which is why I boil the tube in a pan of water before drizzling it out onto patches for lubing.

I was referring to pre-lubed patches not freezing inside the barrel.

Actaully Rooster Labs PL-16 also works great below freezing, better than NL1000 but it's also much more expensive too.

 

[roundball]

[quote
Good heavens Taquamenon, how in the world did you ever get it out of the tube. I tried using that here in Vermont at just a little bit above O and I could have split wood by hitting it with that tube. There was no chance of squeezing any of that stuff out of the tube. Worked just fine during the summer and early fall, but December and January here you would have had a better chance of getting a bear out of his hidy-hole than getting any of that minty smelling substance out of the tube. Come to think of it, I couldn't smell it when it got that cold.
[/quote]

Yeah, cool temps are not the friend of Natural Lube 1000 in a tube...there's probably no bigger fan of NL1000 than I am and I use it out of tubes to lube bores after weekend shoots year round.

But even though my attached garage doesn't get below 55 in the winter here in NC, during those months, I keep a tube inside the house so it'll be smooth enough to use...even at 55 degrees I find it too thick and too much trouble to squeeze out of a tube...sure do love the stuff though.

Never had a problem with lubed patches themselves...the coldest I've hunted them was in the teens and accuracy never suffered...and I carry a couple of TC's 4-N-1 Quick Shots in an inside pocket where body heat keeps everything hunky-dorey

 

[Bearbait2]

Gentlemen,
We carry our tube of the stuff in an inside pocket of our coat or shirt pocket during cold weather. Stays nice and warm that way and continues to flow long enough to lube a REAL bullet.
Best Wishes