The ultimate patch lube

[F.G. Ford]

I can understand the cleaning factor of " Windex " while swabbing the barrel, but where is the lube process.
I'm not sure if a patched round ball really needs a lube to give consistant shooting, but it needs a clean barrel to maintain consistancy.
I have been useing a mix of olive oil, Murphy's soap for, but it is messy.
I do like the idea of windex as it is easy to use, smell not too bad either.
Best Regards
Old Ford

 

[David Bickish]

I assume everybody already knows this but in my own testing I have found "windex" to be the best patch lube on earth. It cleans as it goes down and you can shoot all day long without having to clean the gun between shots. Just spray some on each patch as you load from the squirt bottle and ram the ball home.

 

[Claude Mathis]

I assume everybody already knows this but in my own testing I have found "windex" to be the best patch lube on earth...

Yes, everyone already knew. Or at least now they do. :haha:

 

[CoyoteJoe]

I assume everybody already knows this but in my own testing I have found "windex" to be the best patch lube on earth. It cleans as it goes down and you can shoot all day long without having to clean the gun between shots. Just spray some on each patch as you load from the squirt bottle and ram the ball home.

And that spray bottle fits so nicely in the shooting pouch and is always welcome on the primitive range! :grin:

 

[Blizzard of '93]

have you ever used Go-Jo white hand cleaner? does really well in a squeeze bottle or small tin. doesn't harden in cold weather. I can see how windex would do well sort of like a spit patch with benefits. :thumbsup:

 

[BrownBear]

I can understand the cleaning factor of " Windex " while swabbing the barrel, but where is the lube process.
I'm not sure if a patched round ball really needs a lube to give consistant shooting, but it needs a clean barrel to maintain consistancy.
I have been useing a mix of olive oil, Murphy's soap for, but it is messy.
I do like the idea of windex as it is easy to use, smell not too bad either.
Best Regards
Old Ford

I got a weird sniffer in the first place, but Lehigh Valley lube has always smelled to me like Windex. Friends disagree, so who knows.

I'm betting the lube part comes the same way that spit lubes a patch. I do notice that Lehigh patches feel damp when I first pick them up after firing, but in a matter of minutes they are dry and surprisingly stiff.

I've always wondered about those and spit patches drying out after 10 or 12 hours in the bore on hunts.

To me there really is something wierd going on when comparing water based lubes, "wet" oil lubes like olive oil, and "dry" paste lubes like tallow, moose snot and Wonder Lube. It doesn't seem to take much moisture on the patches with water based, but if you slack off on the wet and especially the dry oil lubes, you're going to start blowing patches. Slather that stuff on!

 

[renovato]

A friend that I shoot with uses windex and he can shoot all day without swabbing. It's pretty amazing stuff. I haven't tried it because I don't want to work up a seperate load for it just to use it at the range. I shoot at the range using the same lube that I hunt with. I don't trust any water based lube sitting in the bore for hours while hunting. I worry about it either drying out or fouling the charge.

As far as taking a lot of oil based lube to protect the patch, I use the Ballistol/water system to lube my patches. After the water evaporates out, it leaves behind only the slightest trace of Ballistol. This seems to be plenty to protect the patch from all but the fiercest loads. You need to richen the mixture a bit if you want to use really hot loads with it or it will indeed blow patches.

It's amazing to me all the things that can be used as patch lube. I'm surprised that they can sell premade lubes with so many homemade formulas that work just as well, or in some cases better.

 

[Oldnamvet]

I don't trust any water based lube sitting in the bore for hours while hunting. I worry about it either drying out or fouling the charge

This makes sense but has anyone actually checked it out? How long before a patch becomes ineffective or fouls the charge?

 

[barebackjack]

I use moose snot. Its the only one that has downright COLD weather performance. -30 below and it worked great.

 

[flaming canvas]

I assume everybody already knows this but in my own testing I have found "windex" to be the best patch lube on earth. It cleans as it goes down and you can shoot all day long without having to clean the gun between shots. Just spray some on each patch as you load from the squirt bottle and ram the ball home.

On the range or at rondys I do the same with spit and I don't have to carry a bottle to have it handy.

Seems to me that the lube is mostly for loading. I wonder how much difference it would really make for the shot if the patch has dried out.

 

[lakota]

I didnt know about using windex as patch lube!! Does regular Windex work or do you need the stuff with vinegar?

 

Liquid lubes are great if you want to shoot all day w/o swabbing, and anything will work, windex, 409, fantastic, ballistol, spit, water ..... BUt if you load in the morning and walk all day those LL patches will dry out, and then you start blowing patches, IMO.
LL for target
paste, or tallow types for hunting (or scouting!)
:v

 

[paulvallandigham]

Diggler: I think you have it right. The liquid lubes are okay for range work, when you are likely to be firing the load off fairly quickly after the Patch goes down the barrel. The liquid lube does not have time to penetrate and spoil the powder charge. In the field, a dryer- grease lube-- works better, because it will not spoil the powder, even when its in your barrel all day long.( and possibly longer!)

I am just now working with Ballistol, as a patch lube, and will be working on my ratio of ballistol to water mix for doing a dry lube like Dutch Schoultz recommends. I am going to take the suggestions of some of the members here on that mix ratio, and see how the patching works. I will be delighted if I can use it in the barrel all day without worrying about burned patches when the PRB is finally fired. :thumbsup:

 

[JOHN L. HINNANT]

Good Afternoon Old Ford,

What is "the ultimate patch lube"?

Is that the question?

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU HAVE JUST STARTED?

OK! For me, the ultimate patch lubricant, for all puposes, is Teflon

Before anybody starts coming after my scalp, just remember that I did not ask the question or start this thread. I am only answering a question according to my honest opinion and limited ability.

Besides, this was just too good to resist.

One of these days, Claude is going to add Teflon coated patch material to the same category as that certain rifle design we are not allowed to mention.

Claude, on my honor, I did not put Old Ford up to this and I will not add any more to this question, as I will be too busy, most likely running and hiding for my life.

Best regards and good shooting,

John L. Hinnant

If you are not an NRA or NMLRA Member, why not? I am carrying your load.

Liberal politicians Lie!!! US Freedoms Die!!!!

 

[Claude Mathis]

One of these days, Claude is going to add Teflon coated patch material to the same category as that certain rifle design we are not allowed to mention.

It could happen. :wink:

There's a point at which we cross the line from the traditional/historical aspect of muzzleloading and enter the realm of modern experimentation. Kind of like putting a V8 and disc brakes in a Model A Ford - because it "works better". Sure, it works better, but it's no longer a Model A.

Now, having said that, I have no problem with people experimenting to their heart's content or modifying a weapon system. The question becomes - is it fit for this web site? That's the question. The answer seems to get more refined as people force me to re-evaluate what should be accepted as "traditional".

 

[omarick1948]

Will traditional Preperation H tighten-up my shot groups? :hmm:

Sorry Claude :thumbsup:

 

ive never used Ballistol as a patch lube, just a gun lube. :v But im sure it would be a very good patch lube.
i just look under the sink for my LL's. usually 409, or fantastic, and squirt that into my patch tin with 20 patches, or so.
works good. :thumbsup:

 

[Old40Rod]

I didnt know about using windex as patch lube!! Does regular Windex work or do you need the stuff with vinegar?

Just the regular old blue stuff is fine for the range or trail walks. I precut my patches and just squirt enough in my patch holder (leather covered pill bottle) to get them damp.

 

[50cal.cliff]

The best I have found is Hoppes black powder solvent and lube. Don't have enough spit to go out and shoot half the day.
The Hoppes works good on precut patches as well as I have used on strips that are muzzle cut. Probably works better if you squeeze out the excess but have used it with the patch soaked in it. Kinda messy that way.
What I like about is you don't have to patch bewtween shots as it keeps the fouling soft,I usually patch every five shots or so.

 

[TexiKan]

Will traditional Preperation H tighten-up my shot groups? :hmm:

Sorry Claude :thumbsup:

:haha: Maybe so..........and maybe there will be some shrinkage, too! I bet you can get some strange looks when you pull out a tube of PH and use it on your patches....

TexiKan