Why the bees wax in a lube ?

[Tim Ault]

I've been reading a lot of older posts on lubes especially for hunting where the rifle may stay loaded for a few days weeks ect . Now a lot of those patch lubes mentioned were a mix of an oil of some sort like olive oil and mixed with bees wax . I also make and shoot modern cast bullets and understand why the bees wax is used in their lube and that is to act as a carrier for the actual lube , but with a patched ball the patch is the carrier of the actual lube/oil . So is the bees wax actually needed at all ? Couldn't I just use let's say the olive oil on the patch straight for a hunting situation ?

[EC121]

Don't see why it wouldn't work.  Where a rifle might be left loaded for some time, many people use a dry patch and ball combo for the first shot in a smooth, clean barrel.  You might want to check the POI to see if it is close to the second shot with a lubed patch.  There are as many lubes as there are shooters.  To my way of thinking beeswax wouldn't be on the list for a roundball patch lube ingredient.   

[Black Hand]

Yes, you could use the olive oil neat.

The beeswax is used to give the lube body so it isn't runny and stays where you put it. This is useful in that a sealed bottle isn't necessary and the lube won't run if it tips. In the period, greases or oils would have been used without additions. I'm certain beeswax has its own lubricating properties that may help, as people use it to season cast iron cookware.

All that said, I use the grease/oil in an unadulterated form with great success as did those in the period. Bear grease is the only patch lube I've used for years and I am satisfied with the performance.

[OldMtnMan]

I used to use 100% Ballistol instead of making moose milk and it worked good. I've never been a fan of beeswax in lubes.

Now I use mink oil all the time and i'm happy with it.

[Michigan Flinter]

I agree with Blackhand .been using bears grease for quite some time for patch lube', barrel lube 'after cleaning barrel with tap water only .Works for me.

[Black Hand]

I also use Bear oil to lube the lock. I haven't used any modern lubricants in quite some time (except in my CF guns).

[Daryl]

As noted, the beeswax is merely a filler - varying the amount to stiffen a lube as-is needed for lubing bullets. I use straight 100% Neetsfoot Oil, or Track's Mink Oil for lubing patches for hunting.

[Pukka Bundook]

Deer tallow on it's own is wonderful greasy stuff as well. 
Load it over a few wafers of hornet nest if guns to be left loaded a while, like when hunting. Keeps powder dry. 

R.

[Black Hand]

Deer tallow on it's own is wonderful greasy stuff as well. 

The deer tallow I've rendered is hard and waxy, resembling paraffin. Great for moccasin dressing, but not recommended for the soles - too slick. I have several pounds that will be turned into candles some day...

[Pukka Bundook]

Black Hand,
I spent a lot of some wet,  snowy, days laid on my back because I tried the tallow on the moccasin soles! LOL!

[OldMtnMan]

I'll never wear mocs in the snow again. Sure death.

[Daryl]

Dry grass on hillsides is especially nasty with Dyers.

[Black Hand]

Dry grass on hillsides is especially nasty with Dyers.

It is the leather. Moccasins like Dyers are no good on nearly any terrain.

[Daryl]

Gravel & dirt is just fine - especially comfortable, actually.

[Eddie Southgate]

Gives them bees something to live for besides honey .

[Frank]

Need to put some Goop on those moccasin soles.

[Daryl]

Need to put some Goop on those moccasin soles.

Just like my great, great father?

[OldMtnMan]

They had Goop in your great great fathers day?

[Old Ford2]

A liquid soaked patch will contaminate your powder charge if left for a long time.
Also motor oil will give all kinds of problems.
Deer & bear tallow works fine if you can get some.
You can purchase all kinds of wonder lubes that will lube your barrel, slick your hair, even grow some while you're at it.
For $10 worth of bees wax and $4 worth of olive oil you have enough for 10,000 shots or more.
That comes to .14 of one cent per shot. Not .14 cents per shot
And if you are in a pinch you can eat it
I have used bee's wax and olive oil for over 50 years and not one of my barrels have any pits.
I have a .45 cal. rifle that I made in 1984 and the barrel looks like new on the inside, that barrel has only seen bee's wax & olive oil.
There are as many different lubes as there is hair on a dogs back.
You want to chose a patch lube that will not harm your powder, will not cake in the barrel, and also not damage your patch material.
Your patch should be good enough after shooting to use again.
That way, you know your lube is doing it's job, as well as the patch is.
That is my story for the day!
Fred

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Excellent treatise, Fred.

[OldMtnMan]

I still think TOW Mink Oil is a great choice now. It's not expensive and i've never seen a better lube in cold weather. I think i've tried them all and Mink Oil wins with me.

I know the liquid lubes will let us shoot all day without swabbing, but I like to do the same thing all the time and use Mink Oil for all my shooting. Not swabbing between shots would feel too weird for me. I'm too old and cranky to try something different. If I find something that works. You'll be frustrated trying to get me to change.

[Elnathan]

What is the difference between deer tallow and beef tallow and lard? Those are easier to get ahold of.

[WadePatton]

What is the difference between deer tallow and beef tallow and lard? Those are easier to get ahold of.

If you're buying maybe.  I have on hand zero lard or beef tallow, but a few jars of deer tallow. 

Lard is quite tasty (but shouldn't be a primary source of calories) .
Beef fat I don't care for.
And venison tallow is the nastiest waxy mess I've ever had in my mouth.    (patooey)


I've yet to try any beeswaxed or veggie oil patch lubes. But know a thing or two about tallow.

[OldMtnMan]

Bear grease makes great pastry. Strange, because bear meat tastes like crapola. At least my dog likes the meat.

[smylee grouch]

Bear meat is one of my favorite's and every one I've ever feed it to loved it too. How it's prepared and cooked has a large effect on it's popularity.