Patch Lube Latest and Greatest

Muzzleloading Forum

Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

flatcreek

40 Cal
Joined
Jul 3, 2023
Messages
431
Reaction score
747
Location
People's Republic of NJ
Tried a new lube today and I think I may be on to something. 10 shots, no swabbing, loaded with wood under barrel ramrod, loaded easy and that's as good or better as I've shot with that setup.
 

Attachments

  • 20240924_131642.jpg
    20240924_131642.jpg
    1.9 MB
  • 20240924_131439.jpg
    20240924_131439.jpg
    1.6 MB
  • 20240924_130816.jpg
    20240924_130816.jpg
    2.4 MB
Ok I cleaned it, it seemed like a lot more dirt came out a lot quicker. I'm thinking it may have loosened crud up that was in the barrel. Anyway cleanup wasn't a problem. Looked down the barrel with a Teslong scope and the bore looked as clean or cleaner than it has before. Like to see some others try this and hear what they think, it's about 11 bucks at Wally world, so if it works out it's cheap and maybe you'll get lucky and get some caps while your there.
 
Last edited:
Fouling, not dirt
I call anything that's dirty coming out of my barrel"dirt". I'm sorry that's not what you call it. The more important thing is what do you or other readers know about using propylene glycol antifreeze for patch lube. I'm just trying to turn my fellow BP enthusiast on to something that may possibly benefit them.
 
Last edited:
I believe glycols oxidize to acidic compounds and break down under heat more readily . Probably fine short term and followed with prompt and thorough cleaning, but years of use will probably not end well. Someone smarter than me will hopefully chime in.
 
Patch lube?

yellow 77
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20240925_195318_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20240925_195318_Chrome.jpg
    629.9 KB
  • Screenshot_20240925_195406_Google.jpg
    Screenshot_20240925_195406_Google.jpg
    957.2 KB
  • Screenshot_20240925_203253_Chrome.jpg
    Screenshot_20240925_203253_Chrome.jpg
    635.3 KB
Last edited:
Only 10 shots! C’mon man!

Hoppe’s Black Powder Cleaner & Patch Lube

FWIW I shoot in the top 10 shooters at the NE Flintlock Championship every year for the past few years, posting a top score 100-yard target every year and I’ll shoot anywhere from 80 to 120 shots in a day with it and NEVER have to swab between shots.

At my age … it’s my vision that inhibits my scoring placement, not the gun nor the load …
 
Tried a new lube today and I think I may be on to something. 10 shots, no swabbing, loaded with wood under barrel ramrod, loaded easy and that's as good or better as I've shot with that setup.
Just an FYI if you have pets. Make sure you don't spill that anywhere where it can puddle slightly. It tastes like candy to dogs and cats and will kill them dead in short order.
 
Tried a new lube today and I think I may be on to something. 10 shots, no swabbing, loaded with wood under barrel ramrod, loaded easy and that's as good or better as I've shot with that setup.
After 20-years of use, Stumpy's Moose Snot by forum member @Stumpkiller is the best I've used. Doesn't freeze, doesn't run, as long as I can feel it with my finger on the opposite side of the patch that's being rubbed in its "wax shoe-polish" consistency, I never have to do a cleaning wipe. If it loads a bit hard then I just have to use more patch lube on the next patch and keep shooting. It's also made out of ingredients that were all available (different brands perhaps) in the 1700's and 1800's.

Here's an earlier post about it that gives the recipe and method for making it yourself:
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/patch-lube.183132/post-2666237
 
Just an FYI if you have pets. Make sure you don't spill that anywhere where it can puddle slightly. It tastes like candy to dogs and cats and will kill them dead in short order.

My sweet cat loves anything sweet, so I'd have to keep him away. He's an angel. He loves muzzleloaders.

D1D98F77-6AD4-4FA4-A2A6-E4AE201541E3.jpeg
 
Pretty sure that's ethylene glycol not propylene glycol. It is actually used in medicine and makeup.
Yup @flatcreek, you're correct. I thought it said ethylene glycol and when I saw it was anti-freeze didn't look any closer. Evidently it's not as toxic as Ethylene Glycol and is often found in "Pet Safe Anti-freeze" but it is still toxic to pets.

Just googled it and found the following from the Pet Poison Control Page of the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists.

"Propylene Glycol​

Propylene glycol is found in many household products and has a significant toxic risk if ingested by pets. Of note, it is commonly found in ‘pet-safe’ anti-freeze products. While this form of anti-freeze is less toxic than those containing ethylene glycol, these products still pose a risk to pets if ingested."
They do have a chart on how much consumption is toxic the various size dogs. Toxic levels may result in death.
Here are some highlights:
• 0.135 of an ounce (4ml) is toxic for 1 to 10-lb dogs such as a Yorkie or Chihuahua
• 3.6 ounces (106ml) is toxic for a 27 to 40-lb dog such as a Beagle or Scottish Terrier
• 5.65-ounces (17ml) is toxic for a 41 to 70-lb dog such as a Cocker Spaniel or Boxer
• 12.58-ounces (372ml) is toxic for 91 to 110-lb. dogs such as a Great Dane or St. Bernard.
You can see the page with more info at https://vetmeds.org/pet-poison-control-list/propylene-glycol/#!form/PPCDonations

The biggest problem with the Ethylene Glycol is/was that it tastes good to pets and they lap it up, easily reaching toxic levels. No idea how that Propylene Glycol tastes and not about to volunteer to try it out! ;)

If you're a fan of MSDS pages required by OSHA here's a link to one for propylene glycol
https://www.fishersci.com/msdsproxy...tNo=P355-4+&vendorId=VN00033897&storeId=10652

That page does advise against: Food, drug, pesticide or biocidal product use.
Also the flash point of it is not very high at 210.2°F - so beware of sparks.
Auto-ignition though is at 752°F so that shouldn't be a concern

Those MSDS pages always have more info than you ever thought you'd need.​
 
Back
Top