Lubed wads in hot weather?

[Tomahawk674]

Hey guys I did a little cap and ball shooting and I noticed something today.

I was shooting in hot weather, mid 90s and it was very humid. The lubed wads for my revolver (.36 cal lubed wads sold by cabelas) were very soggy due to the heat.

My shots started sounding/feeling very weak, and I assumed it was because the wads were soaking the powder. I shot a cylinder without wads and what a difference that made.

So do you just not use lubed wads in hot weather? or find a more dry wad brand?

 

[NCWanderer]

I'm a little new at this too. But I've been using lube pills. In hot weather they get a little sticky, but other than that I've had good luck with them. I made mine from approx. 50/50 beeswax and Crisco. You may need to experiment to get them like you want them. I know I did. If they are too soft add more beeswax/ too hard more Crisco. I tested mine by laying one out in the sun. I finally got them so they can lay in the sun for 30 to 45 min without melting. Although they do get pretty sticky after 45 min in the sun. Someone else will probably be along shortly with another solutions and there are several I'm sure.

 

[BCRider]

For you po' folk down in the heat belt it sounds like you'll need a hot weather lubed wad that won't get too sticky and wick itself into the powder.

 

[gjkershul]

Ordnance lube

I have the same problem in the Summer months here is SW Idaho. 105 is not uncommon and shoots in 90 degree weather are the rule.
I found the US Ordnance lube formula from the Civil War era useful. 9 parts beeswax to 1 part beef tallow was the original mixture. I can't get beef tallow easily so I substitue olive oil for the beef tallow and have a useable hard lube for Minie type projectiles and conical revolver projectiles. The bullets must be dipped in the lube while the lube is liquid. Paper cartidges with roundball dipped in the hot lube also work well.
I was reading yesterday that the British lubed Snider bullets in 100% beeswax.

 

[gjkershul]

Ordnance lube #2

I forgot to mention I lube my homade revolver wads with the 9 parts beeswax 1 part olive oil lube too and it does not foul the powder charge. I may ty 100% beeswax on the next run of revolver wads.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Great info gjkershul, welcome to the forum.
For me, lube pills work out best for hot days. I add paraffin to my secret recipe. It's a mix of beeswax, paraffin and Ballistol. Maybe a dash of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.

 

[tripe1917]

Melting wads

I am in Texas have tried both Cabelas and Wonder Wads lubed wads. Both would melt and spoil the gunpowder charge. I now make my own using 100 grams mutton tallow, 100 grams paraffin, and 50 grams bees wax. The powder residue is kept soft and no more melting.

 

[rjsixgun]

I make my own lubed wads with some cheap felt from wally-world and either straight bees wax or 50/50 beez wax and crisco. they hold up great in the heat

 

[mykeal]

Cheap felt from wally-world often contains synthetic fibers that melt under heat and can gum up the chambers. I'd stay away from that stuff.

 

[BullRunBear]

I use the same formula as Tripe mentioned above. Even in the 90s with the usual 600% humidity we get around here, they have never softened or fouled the powder charge. In fact, the lube holds up better than I do.

Jeff

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Use the lube pill recipe I've posted and make them to your needs summer or winter...
It's on the average 110-115f in the summer here and down to about 10-20f in the winter at the range.
Mine work all year round... less parafin more beeswax or bolwax in the winter, more parafin less bees or blowax in the summer(Softer or firmer) same 8 tablespoons of olive oil for lubrication...