Patch lube for cold weather

[Mark Wiebold]

I drew a late season moose permit in interior Alaska. Hunt begins Dec. 1 and ends Jan.31st. Temps could range from +20 to -40. What would be a suitable patch lube? Am planing on using a .62 cal flinter. Thanks for your insights.

 

[Idaholewis]

Track of the Wolf Mink oil

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/categories/partdetail.aspx/132/1/mink-oil

 

[Louisk]

I second that. I've shot up here at below zero and it works great. I started out using Bore Butter and a tube of that stuff turns into a brick at even mildly cold temps. Did you get the Creamers Field hunt?

 

[arcticap]

Hoppes Number 9 Black Powder Solvent and Patch Lube.

 

[Hawgeye]

Plus one on the mink oil.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I would hope you work up a suitable load for that exciting hunt. Lotsa lubes will work fine. Listen to the experienced shooters. Mink oil, bear oil or many others will get the job done.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I've hunted my moose snot to -15°F

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

4th to opine using the TOW mink oil.

 

[Rich]

Take samples of what you think you want for a patch lube. Stick it in your freezer for a while then pull them out and see which is frozen. If its frozen, you dont want that one. Remember, if it is that cold and your in the field very long, your barrel will be nothing but cold steel and a freezer for your patch lube. Hint, water content is not really good. Lots of greases and oils are no good. Many times wandering the far north in search of game, firearms had to be grease/oil free or you would need a big hammer to break a bolt loose. As far as your lock goes, I would completely remove grease and oil and just lube with pure ballistol and allow it to dry. Lock lube wont really matter as you wont shoot that much.

 

[rusty]

Tow mink oil.

 

[arcticap]

I found the MSDS for Hoppes Number 9 Black Powder Solvent and Patch Lube.
The ingredients were last revised around 2013 as far as I can tell.
Prior to that it came in a squeeze bottle instead of a brown pour bottle.
With the 2013 product revision more ingredients have been listed instead of being listed as trade secret.
I remember when folks here mentioned when they noticed that the formula was changed
The previous MSDS revision that I found was made in 2003.
I bought a bunch of the original product in the squeeze bottle off eBay and still have some because folks liked it so much.
But over time, folks started liking the newer product just as much.
Evidently, Hoppes also changed their manufacturer/supplier in the 2013 product revision.

Ingredients listed in the 2013 Safety Data Sheet:--->>> http://www.hoppes.com/Hoppes/files/a7/a75dfe32-eefb-4f3d-8535-9177ae22d408.pdf

Water
Process Oil
Ethyl Alcohol
Kerosene
Oleic Acid
Triethanolamine
Amyl Acetate
Methyl Salicylate

Ingredients listed for the 2003 product revision:--->>> https://www.navalcompany.com/msdsblackpowder.pdf

Water 70-75%
Petroleum Distillate Trade Secret <15%
Ethyl Alcohol <5%
Kerosene <5%
Trade Secret <5%

 

[rusty]

TOW mink oil

 

[8 BORE]

SPIT. wont freeze if used when needed

 

[BlackHillsBob]

this is what a old timer taught me years and years ago and im almosy 80 my self now. so this goes way back. this will make your mouth drop. ballistol mixed with anti freeze. you can thin a little with water or not. great patch lube and great bore cleaner. thin for bore cleaner, thicker for patch lube,bet no one heard of that one before.

 

[Black Hand]

SPIT. wont freeze if used when needed

Absolutely the worst advise for a hunter - DO NOT use spit as a lube...

 

[Black Hand]

I've used Bear grease in all conditions for years.

 

[8 BORE]

I've used Bear grease in all conditions for years.

How much grease can you get out of a bear?

 

[Black Hand]

How much grease can you get out of a bear?

More from a fall bear than a spring bear. Pints of grease...

 

[Dave Tercek]

How fast do things heat up in the patch area after ignition ?
Maybe this really isn't an issue.
I don't know , just trying to learn.
Thanks

 

[arcticap]

How fast do things heat up in the patch area after ignition ?
Maybe this really isn't an issue.
I don't know , just trying to learn.
Thanks

The patch heats up fast enough to not be a safety issue at all.
But a frozen patch/patch lube may create an accuracy issue.
Without some testing there may be a degree of uncertainty as to the results of shooting from a clean and extemely cold barrel.