Patch Lube Recipes

[Ranger]

Stumpy's Moose Juice

A general purpose blackpowder solvent and liquid patch lube. Shake well before using

Castor Oil 3 oz.
Murphy's Oil Soap 1 oz.
Witch Hazel 4 oz.
Isopropyl Alcohol (91%) 8 oz.
Water (non-chlorinated if available) 16 oz.

I dip my patching in this twice and let it dry laid flat on wax paper in between. Makes a semi-dry patch material that's easy to carry & use. If you don't mind carrying a little bottle it's a GREAT liquid lube as is.


Stumpy's Moose Snot

A premium multi-shot between wiping (10+) patch lube stable over a wide temperature range.
SPECIFICALLY designed for use of patched round balls in a loading block

Beeswax 2 oz.
Castor Oil 8 oz.
Murphy's Oil Soap 1 oz.


Heat beeswax in a soup can set a pot of water. ( A double-boiler. I keep my beeswax in a one pound coffee can and measure out what I need by melting it and pouring it into measuring cups). Add just enough water so the inner can does not begin to float (should be just short of the lube level in the can). Heat the water to a low boil. In a separate can, add the castor oil and Murphy's oil soap (cold). Once the beeswax is melted, swap the castor oil can in the pot of water for the beeswax. Add the beeswax to the oils. It will clump up. Stir with an ice tea spoon as the mixture heats up. When it fully melts there will be a scum that floats to the top and just won't mix in. Be patient. DO NOT COOK THE MIXTURE. Once the solids are dissolved there is no need to heat further. Skim the scum off. Remove the mix from the heat and wipe the water off the outside (so it won't drip into the container when you pour it out). FINAL TOP SECRET STEP: Add a teaspoon of Murphy's Oil Soap and stir vigorously. This last step makes the lube frothy and smooth - really adds to the appearance; though it doesn't seem to matter to the function of the lube. Clamp the can in the jaws of a vice-grip pliers and pour into the waiting tins. Allow to cool a half hour.

Note: it if is a hinged tin - line the edge that has the hinges with a strip of aluminum foil so it doesn't ooze out before it cools.

[Ironwood]

Here's Mama Flinter's Moose Milk Patch lube.

Moose Milk


I am often asked for the recipe to make this lube. This is not something I invented, it was brought to my attention by another shooter and I found it works great as a patch lube.

Moose milk is made easily at home. To do so you will need the following ingredients:

Napa water soluble cutting oil (if your local napa store doesn't have it in stock the part number is 765-1526 for 1 pint)
Murphy's oil soap
1 liter water bottle
water
rubbing alcohol (optional)

Fill water bottle half full with WARM water. Add 2 oz. each of the water soluble oil and the murphy's oil soap. Shake well and watch it turn white. This means it is mixed. Once mixed it won't unmix. Fill bottle up with water.

If you live in or hunt in an area that has alot of sub-zero temps. you can replace the water with rubbing alcohol to prevent it from freezing.

This is a fine lube for patches and keeps fouling soft.
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[Mr Woodchuck]

Workin oona mix of Beeswax n Canola oil with citrus soap for patch lube gun wipe and general all around use ... gonna call it Groundhog Snott
   yeah       I saved some old snuff cans that iz perfect for storage of my snott.
lol

[Mr Woodchuck]

Canola oil it's canadian ... can't be all tat badd.
  I trying for something like the stuff T/C sells in the squeeze tube but jus a bit firmer.
I don't like to buy it cuzz I be cheap.
    Knew a fella that used Olive Oil ... too dangg expensive for that.
                         GROUNDHOG-SNOTT

[little jim]

For range shooting and cleaning-white "GoJo" hand cleaner.
for hunting and general stuff, including most  range shooting-----1/3 cup beeswax, 2/3 cup peanut oil  and 1 tblsp "Restore" engine treatment......

[VaScout]

I'm not usually one to bump an old thread, but I made up a batch of this moose snot yesterday and I gotta say I love it!

thanks for the recipe!

Ed

[markinmi]

100% neatsfoot mixed with enough beeswax to stiffen it up and not run too much in hot weather

[William]

Olive oil and enough beeswax to stiffen it up enough for temps in your particular region.  More beeswax in summer, more OO in the cooler months.

[kybackwoodsman]

persoally ive been tinkering with a deer tallow/ lard mixture that seems to be working good.. the deer tallow was too stiff by itself so i cut it with lard to soften it.. soak patches in the mixture when melted and it stays with the patches pretty good.  Does seem to get to soft in summer and hard in winter but time will tell.

[William]

You might try adding either olive oil or beeswax to your current mix depending on which way you want the consistency to go.  

When I use pillow ticking and my homemade lube for shooting they spent patches look good enough to re-use, not so with the store bought, even when they are the same thickness.

[kybackwoodsman]

Im planning to add some beeswax to the mixture as soon as i make contact with some beekeepers.. buying it from local hobby stores is ridiculously expensive..  my uncle who shoots a tc hawkin uses white lithium grease on his patches has for many years now.. might consider some of that.

[William]

Yea, beeswax is kind of like black powder, to get a good deal on it you have to buy in bulk whether you can use it all or not.

[voyageur1688]

 Cool some new ones for me to try. Have been using sweet oil the last few years and love it but am always willing to try something new.
Voy

[West Texan]

Stumpy's moose juice sound like it would work on my bad back and stiff knee. 

[cannonman]

what and where can ya get castor oil?