Tow Lube?

[Smokey Plainsman]

Gang I've a U.S. army horseman's pistol here, 30 balls to the pound. I'd like to use my sack of flax tow as overpowder wadding and over the balls to keep them from rolling about.

I've already made many a small ball of tow, to fit snugly in the bore. But what to lube them with? I hear they should be lube to prevent smolders. I shoot in a desert wasteland gravel pit, so not even a weed in sight to burn, but I'd rather not draw the ire of the range officers.

Here at the house I've some olive oil and a tin of mink's oil. Would either of these be suitable for the job? I'd like to shoot tomorrow so'd like to know.

Thanks all!

-Smokey

 

[necchi]

Why use tow instead of patch?

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I don't have them and my .530 balls are too big, even for .010".

 

[nhmoose]

Snow-Cap lard way cheaper than mink fat works great.

 

[coloradoclyde]

When using tow, I use a creamy stiff mixture of beeswax and olive oil....Because, I drag the tow across the lube and roll the tow into a ball between my palms of my hands and then load....The beeswax mixture makes a great hand cream....Lard, Crisco etc....do not. My hands are not overly greasy when done, like they would be if I used lard or Crisco.....And they smell better...

 

[Stumpkiller]

I never lubed my tow. But then we seldom have "Red Flag" days hereabouts where there is danger of brush fires.

 

[stubshaft]

Mule snot lube.

 

[Docgp]

When using tow, I use a creamy stiff mixture of beeswax and olive oil....Because, I drag the tow across the lube and roll the tow into a ball between my palms of my hands and then load....The beeswax mixture makes a great hand cream....Lard, Crisco etc....do not. My hands are not overly greasy when done, like they would be if I used lard or Crisco.....And they smell better...

I use this also. Although Clyde described it much better than I would have!!

Doc