Castor Oil Lube

[Navy Six 2]

I had previously used Paul Mathews 60/40 beeswax/castor oil mix when loading black powder metallic cartridges with success. Having just purchased two new 8" Uberti .44 Remingtons, it seemed like a good time for a test. Both Remingtons(only one serial # between them) were cleaned up internally and coated with Mobil1 grease, including the base pins. The load was 24 grs 3F Olde Enysford in paper cartridges and .454 ball. Gun #1 was loaded with a card wad and the castor oil mix under the ball. Gun #2 had a Gatofeo lube pill under the ball. I fired 30 rounds each gun and the only maintenance was a quick cylinder face wipe each time with a paper towel/ballistol&water mix. After 30 rounds, both cylinders were spinning freely and cocking effort was almost the same as before the first round. The castor oil mix (in 60/40) was softer than the Gatofeo which is why I used a card wad. Returning home and bore inspection showed a little soft fouling near the breach end of the barrels while the remaining length was almost clean. It was a toss up to which was cleaner.
This is not an exhaustive test, but I like to experiment with lubes and sometimes it's just as good to know what WON'T work. In this case there were only two ingredients, the beeswax and castor oil and at least the castor oil is readily available at the Drug Store. The castor oil is really slick and I have previously used it, by itself, on the arbors of my Colts with success.