Lubing live rounds

[BigDuke634]

Do you all prefer to use a pre lubed round, or lube in between shots at the range? I've been to the Kentucky Military History Museum, and they have a set up inside that shows how paper catridges were made. The cards explaining how it was done says that a "pre lubed" bullet was used. I was wondering, wouldn't an excess of lube weaken the paper more? Also, what lube do you prefer to use?

[Dave Myrick]

Military rounds were lubricated with a mixture of beeswax and tallow prior to being wrapped in the paper cartridge. The type of paper used and the consistancy of the lubrication mixture did not adversely effect the storage of the ammunition.

Dave

[rebel yell]

Do you all prefer to use a pre lubed round, or lube in between shots at the range? I've been to the Kentucky Military History Museum, and they have a set up inside that shows how paper catridges were made. The cards explaining how it was done says that a "pre lubed" bullet was used. I was wondering, wouldn't an excess of lube weaken the paper more? Also, what lube do you prefer to use?

For live fire I dip the grooves in beeswax, but I have never made one into a cartridge after doing it.

[TimKindred]

Do you all prefer to use a pre lubed round, or lube in between shots at the range? I've been to the Kentucky Military History Museum, and they have a set up inside that shows how paper catridges were made. The cards explaining how it was done says that a "pre lubed" bullet was used. I was wondering, wouldn't an excess of lube weaken the paper more? Also, what lube do you prefer to use?

Like was said, the originals were lubed with a mix of pure beeswax and tallow, and that ought to work just fine for anyone's shooting.

During the original manufacturing process, large tin pans with drainage holes in the bottom (like a moden pizza pan, only rectangular) and having a handle attached above were used for the process. A gross or more of rounds were placed upright in the pan, en evenely-spaced rows, and the whole lowered into a large vessel of melted tallow and beeswax mixture. The pan was then lifted out, the lubricating agent allowed to harden, and then rounds sent down the line for making into cartridges.

For what it's worth, English-manufactured Pritchard rounds used a lubricated strip of paper which was attached to the cartridge case itself during manufacture. The English round was made somewhat differently (especially the projectile, as it was smooth-sided), with the nose of the projectile facing towards the powder charge. this gave the round a unique, flat-ended tube look. At loading, the tail was torn off, the powder poured in, and then the tube was reversed and the ball seated, along with the lubricating strip and paper cover. The ball ws NOT removed from the tube, but, rather, excess paper was torn off after the ball was well seated.

The harder lube on American made projectiles was useful inthat it wouldn't easily melt in storage, or when carried in the soldier's boxes. Also, with the sub-caliber ammunition issued by the arsenals (US Arsenals uniformly used .570 projectiles so as to service both American and English weapons) the lubing serves less as a lubricant for the ball and more as a softening agent for the resifual fouling, allowing for easier cleaning in the field.

If you need the actual receipe, I can look it up for you from the Ordnance Manual.

Respects,

[rebelyell62]

A long time skirmisher friend of mine, as well as I use a 50/50 mix of beeswax and canola oil, or olive oil if you prefer.

I use this lube for everything from my Henry in.44 WCF to my 1842.

Colder weather may dictate you adjust the mixture say 30/70 beeswax oil, or for warm weather 70/30 beeswax oil.

It's a great lube, easy to cook up, and relatively inexpensive.

[Bailey Bennett & Scott]

The original Confederate recipe, 50-50 beeswax and beef tallow, is what I use. I have a friend who gets the tallow from a rendering plant, and he mixes it up. It's good soft lube and really helps overall accuracy.

[bob 125th nysvi]

making a original cartridges for field shooting, so I lube the rounds as they go down the barrel.

I'm only target shooting so there is no hurry for speed or authenticity.

I prefer to use Bore Butter for lubing the rounds because it is better for the barrel.

Part of your answer is when are you shooting? Target practice, living history, hunting?

If a reenactment or LH then by all means go whole hog. If just making noise then make it easy on yourself.

[BigDuke634]

Bob. I usually just go target shooting and use Bore Butter too. I was just wondering about trying out something different.

[rebelyell62]

Bob. I usually just go target shooting and use Bore Butter too. I was just wondering about trying out something different.

IMHO You will be money ahead if you make your own lube.
I can spend $10.00 and make enough lube for hundreds and hundreds of rounds,and all the while , using the same lube to oil my boots, brogans,and accoutrements.

I have used bore butter in the past. In my experience, it's no better for the bore than home made bullet lubes.
I don't buy into the myth of "seasoning" a barrel,I'll save that for my iron skillets.
With beeswax/lard,olive oil, canola oil mix, I can shoot 30 + minies with no ill effect ,fouled barrel, difficulty ramming the ball home etc.

When I shoot my round ball rifles for fun, or target, I use good ole' spit/saliva.
Of course for extended periods of keeping a rifle loaded (hunting) a spit patch wouldn't work, it will dry out.

Once more gents, JMHO. Your mileage may vary.
Wendell

[Southern Cal]

I've rendered a lot of tallow from beef fat for soap making so I've had enough of that process. The last time I made up a batch of lube I bought a large can of Crisco and two wax toilet gaskets and melted them together. It's cheap, lubes hundreds of bullets, and works as good at keeping the fouling down as anything else I've used. I lube the bullets I'm going to use ahead of time, place them in an airtight container, put 'em in the frigerator until I go shooting and keep 'em in the cooler until I shoot. If the weather is too warm, then the bullets don't get messy. Want some soap?