Using Mink Oil as patch lubricant

[bones92]

MuskratMike... how does this mix perform in hot weather? 

[MuskratMike]

Just fine.  It never liquifies but turns soft enough I can grease my patches without melting first. In fact after I melt the 2 components together i place the saucepan with lid in the garage and grease them this way 12 months out of the year.

[hortonstn]

Where do you get 100 percent neatsfoot oil ?

[MuskratMike]

Some farm supply places will have it in their equestrian section (they will also have neatsfoot blend or compound avoid those) if not any equestrian or saddle shop will have it for sure.

[Daryl]

Some farm supply places will have it in their equestrian section (they will also have neatsfoot blend or compound avoid those) if not any equestrian or saddle shop will have it for sure.

Exactly. I've never seen the blend nor compound at the place I purchase Neetsfoot Oil. Perhaps I just haven't noticed as it's not what I look for.

[bones92]

Just fine.  It never liquifies but turns soft enough I can grease my patches without melting first. In fact after I melt the 2 components together i place the saucepan with lid in the garage and grease them this way 12 months out of the year.

Excellent.  Thank you for the gouge.

[AZshot]

My wife found a tin of Mink Oil (paste) at an estate sale, so I tried it the last time shooting my .40.  I had been using home made moose milk. 
I noticed much easier loading, and I believe less remaining fouling shot to shot.  Shot about 10 rounds, in very dry Arizona, without cleaning.  At home it cleaned easy too. Will try again.

[Daryl]

I found with my .32 & using melted mink oil on the patches, the rifle loaded easier with the 55th shot, than it did with the first. No wiping at any time, just loading and shooting.

[smylee grouch]

When working up loads for my 62 Flintlock i shot 4 - 10 shot groups one morning at 50 yds. No cleaning patch between any shots but one patch between each group because as I walked down to change targets the bore would dry out somewhat. Lube was Bear oil and Bear oil / Tracks mink oil mix. Both lubes allowed easy loading and good groups.

[Bassdog1]

I only shoot small caliber guns 32 and 40. I have shot Hoppes BP Cleaner and lube, Mink Oil and what some consider dry patch. All three work very well but my best accuracy in my 32 Seneca is with dry patch. I use a 7 to 1 water to balistol ratio and soak the patches and then lay them out and let them air dry so that all that is left is a very light amount of the oil. I have shot 30-40 shots without wiping and with great accuracy however out of habit I usually run a patch every 10 shots or so with all lubes.

[bones92]

Bassdog1, I used to soak my patches in just straight Ballistol, and use them wet, but I found that it made the bore a bit sticky sometimes.   I have used a water/Ballistol mix for some years, and it seems to help a lot.  I use them wet (I squeeze any excess liquid out first).  I figure the patch dries out quite a bit during loading, as the ball is driven down a bore with a light coat of fouling.   

I'm excited to try the Mink Oil & Neetsfoot Oil combination, though.  I'd love to have a bore nice and slick.  Probably makes for easier cleaning, too.