Homemade wads first try

[Bluehawk]

It's in the book "A History of The Colt Revolver from 1836 to 1940" ...printed in 1940...of which I have an original edition.
I don't recall if it specified what models were involved in that particular report but it's dated so will have to see what the date is and that will perhaps give us a clue.
I do recall that it's mentioned several times over the years that type of testing was done for all models the military was interested in.

 

[Mike 56]

I have been using Smokin Guns dam i am broke lube. You can pour it 1/8 inch thick in a cookie sheet let cool then punch grease out cookies using a 45cal case. You can use the grease cookies like wads. The cookies keep my gun clean and well lubed and the fouling soft. I have shot all afternoon without cleaning or lubeing. Or you can use it for felt wad lube. I like to put the wads in melted lube remove them with a spoon then squeeze out the excess lube with my fingers and let cool on newspaper. This lube can also be used for BP bullet pan lube.

One stick parafin wax
1/4 wax toilet ring
8-10 table spoons olive oil (you can adjust the olive oil up or down for the time of the year you are shooting)

 

[Bluehawk]

Here is an excerpt from the book The History of the Colt Revolver with a mention of the firing of over 1,000 rounds a day with no lubrication and some other interesting facts.
I will delve further for anything else you guys want or need but bear in mind the strong light from the scanner is not good for the pages of this fine old book so don't get crazy on me.
All copies will be in PDF format.
Enjoy!

 

[Bluehawk]

Next two pages showing original powder charges and ball/conical sizes.

 

[Busyhands94]

i found that for patches (might work with revolver wads too) i like to use beeswax and bacon grease, it works just fine. and when you fire the gun it smells like breakfast

 

[ElvinWarrior]

I am surprised that no-one has brought up using real bear grease and real rattlesnake oil...

People, its GREASE, there is no magic formula that is any better than any other magic formula as far as lubrication qualities go.

Now, the lubricant should be stiff, so as to not melt down into the powder charge and ruin your load... But again, this is not ROCKET SCIENCE, you add in more of the solid stuff, like parafin or bees wax, and less of the liquid or soft stuff, like the vegitable oil, olive oil, or crisco/lard... and viola, you adjust your home lube to be a bit stiffer.

I bet that everyone who does their own lube has lots of different formulas that they have tried, and a couple favorites.

It is definately a fun passtime to do this sort of thing, but debating whose grease is better grease than somebody elses grease....

A bit silly me thinks... LOL

Sincerely,

ElvinWarrior... aka... David, "EW"

 

[Bluehawk]

Elvin...that's why I tend to use the red colored, water pump and bearing, lithium grease...it's thick and stiff (like vaseline) ...unlike the white stuff which is buttery soft.

 

[rodinal220]

Regarding Dixie Gun Works mutton tallow,I ordered some a few days agrder went thru and didn't have the normal red *** if an item is out of stock,they sent a confirmation saying everything was in stock and on the way.It should be here any day now and will report my findings.Also Zip-Patch is listed in stock and I ordered a can of that for when im too lazy to make my own.Been waiting 15 months for this stuff!!

Price is now $5.75 for the mutton tallow.$3.50 for the Old Zip Patch Grease.



http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=3686

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=3689

 

[rodinal220]

Big brown truck just delivered my DGW order.All mutton tallow and old zip patch grease present and accounted for.

 

[SwampMouse]

Dave,
You were right they had it and it arrived today! I was worried because I had been reading on two other forums that they didn't have it anymore. Thanks for saying something. I guess two tubs will make a lot of lube, now I need more bees wax. I used to always buy ready made lube but over 30 years I could have saved some money.