Author Topic: Mink Oil Shelf Life?  (Read 2713 times)

Offline RANGER94

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Mink Oil Shelf Life?
« on: March 19, 2021, 09:59:58 PM »
My apologies if this has been covered in the past, (I could not find anything).  I have an extra unopened tin of Mink Oil from Track of the Wolf.  I was wondering if I should put it in the fridge or freezer for long term storage?

Offline MuskratMike

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Re: Mink Oil Shelf Life?
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2021, 10:42:55 PM »
I buy them 10 at a time ( i shoot way more than most) and only use it for target and hunting. I freeze the exta cans and just leave 1 out for greasing patches.
"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Mink Oil Shelf Life?
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2021, 11:08:44 PM »
I have been to The Track of the Wolf store many many times and always seen the cans of Mink Oil out on display in their lobby. I have extra cans too and keep them out but in a shaded local.

Offline Daryl

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Re: Mink Oil Shelf Life?
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2021, 11:23:54 PM »
I keep mine in my ML shooting equipment box in the basement - a cool 63F-65F year around.  My current tin of Mink Oil is about 4 years old and just fine.
Only used a little of it first year I had it, in the .32 one winter as a test - worked perfectly, with the barrel easier to load the 2nd through 50th, than the first.
No wiping/swabbing or any other sort of cleaning during the day's shooting - just loading and shooting, loading and shooting the trail. .311" ball and .0235"
 patch.
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline MuskratMike

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Re: Mink Oil Shelf Life?
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2021, 02:19:18 AM »
How the heck do you make it go 4 years? I don't keep track but I doubt I can make a can go 6 months.
"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Mink Oil Shelf Life?
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2021, 02:58:20 AM »
You could mix it with bear oil ;D ;)

Offline Daryl

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Re: Mink Oil Shelf Life?
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2021, 02:59:30 AM »
As I noted, I used it only once, 4 years ago.  I did have two new 2 tins, but think I gave one to a friend.
I use WWWF + a tich of Neetsfoot oil mostly, but lately have been using spit during the postal matches.
I still have almost 1/2gallon of lube mixed up in the WWWF jug. I go through just over a gallon per year
normally.
I've had some bear oil for almost 4 ears and some grease as well, that I haven't used yet. They-too are
stored in the shooting box- in the basement and are still fresh as can be. I checked them a few months
 ago - smell test.
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline Darkhorse

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Re: Mink Oil Shelf Life?
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2021, 10:12:45 AM »
Seems like it's hit or miss with Mink Oil. I had a can I was using for deer hunting lube and it was stored inside and the air cond. was always turned down low. I took it out to use it just before season came in one year and it had  turned rank as an old coon. It was some stinking stuff and I threw it away.
The good thing is most shooters don't have that problem and their mink oil is always fresh.
American horses of Arabian descent.

Offline Daryl

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Re: Mink Oil Shelf Life?
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2021, 10:06:32 PM »
Just checked it, still good.
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V