New 40 Cal SMR Ball and Patch Sizes

[canadianml1]

I  will soon receive my 40 cal SMR from Jim Kibler, The rifling is round bottom. What is a good place to start with ball diameter and patch thickness(and lube) using only the hickory ram rod with the kit?  I would like to simulate loading for hunting conditions so I would rather not use a range rod.
 
Thanks

[smallpatch]

.395" ball, .020" patch will do nicely. Liquid lube, I use Moose  Milk.  Shoot all day, no cleaning between shots.

[canadianml1]

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Sound advice from Dane.  I have the rifle you are going to build, and Dane's assessment is tack on the money.

[MuskratMike]

I also have a .40 caliber Jim Kibler SMR. I use a .395 round ball with a .012 ticking patch. My choice of lube on my precut patches is pure Neatsfoot oil. I use 40 grains of Goex 3F for close and paper targets, 60 grains of Goex 3F for trail walks and hunting. I have shot hundreds of ball with this combination and am never disappointed. You made a fine choice and I am sure you will love yours as much as I love mine.
"Muskrat" Mike

[canadianml1]

Thanks for your comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[canadianml1]

Upon reflection, wet patching with moose milk sounds really good. Each loading cleans the bore and deposits the fouling on top of the charge which blasts it out when the trigger is pulled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Just keep shootin'. How cool is that?

Since moose milk contains water,  how well will it work, do you think, in winter freezing conditions. Not sure how any lube works under such conditions.

I am guessing I'll need both a winter and a summer load...................any comments?

Thanks

[smallpatch]

I've heard some use alcohol instead of water for winter.
Taylor and Daryl are in the great white north,and have a better idea on winter lubes.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Yup:  anything with water will freeze when the patch is set upon the muzzle.  We use winter grade Windshield Washer Antifreeze as part of the solution.  some of our guys here use just that alone, but I mix mine with a bit of neatsfoot oil and a bit of Murphy's Oil soap and agitate the solution as it doesn't want to blend well.  the soap and oil make it super slippery and the WW fluid makes up the bulk of the lube.

[Daryl]

The addition of the oil to the WWWF reduces the amount or rate of evapouration if using it in the summer time.
A straight oil or grease is needed for hunting. For that, straight Neetsfoot oil or trackofthewolf mink oil works fine.
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/132/1/MINK-OIL

Neetsfoot oil is available at most hardware stores, or tack stores. Use pure Neetsfoot oil only, not the "Neetsfoot Oil Compound".

[canadianml1]

Thanks for your thoughtful comments and expertise. Good stuff and lots to try.