Hoppes #9 Plus

[Jeff Murray]

Anyone know of a source for Hoppes #9 Plus.  Typical suppliers don't seem to offer it any more.  Is it still available?

[smokinbuck]

It was discontinued a number off years ago.

[Leatherbark]

I just received a bottle today from Midway USA.  $5.95 if I remember correctly.

Bob

[smokinbuck]

Are you sure it was Hopped +??

[Jeff Murray]

I just checked MIdway's website and they offer Hoppes #9 black powder bore cleaner but it is not Hoppes #9 Plus.  Bummer.  Guess I am obsolete too!

[Leatherbark]

I thought they just renamed it years ago.  Somebody said 9+ was like moose milk.  Seems like I used to buy 9+ back in the 80's and it was the same tan stuff that is sold now with the Kerosene in it.

Here is what Google AI has to say if it is worth anything. Some of it doesn't make sense though.

Bob

Search Labs | AI Overview

…
Hoppe's No. 9 Plus and Hoppe's Black Powder solvent are both gun cleaners, but No. 9 Plus is designed specifically for black powder shooters. No. 9 Plus lubricates while it cleans, while Black Powder solvent is a cleaning solvent only. Here's how they compare:
Purpose
No. 9 Plus is a patch lubricant and solvent for black powder, while Black Powder solvent is a cleaning solvent for general firearm use.
Properties
No. 9 Plus protects against rust and corrosion, and some say it smells like Hoppes #9 but not as strong. Black Powder solvent is a strong rust inhibitor and helps prevent carbon and lead buildup.
Use
No. 9 Plus cleans fouling from bores and lubricates. Black Powder solvent cleans fouling and loosens dirt from firearm parts.
Barrels
No. 9 Plus works for both shallow and deep grooved barrels. Black Powder solvent is for general firearm use.

[Seth Isaacson]

Is it because they now have this product instead:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1014737939?srsltid=AfmBOorGsA_I8g80vI532t1Hq6rZiMmuRd9SjSMrvUkEA6t0eEdZwSM2&pid=815817

I tried that out a while back. It was a milky looking slick liquid and nothing like the regular No. 9 I've used on modern guns.

[Jerry]

Try fleabay!

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Go to a machine shop and score some water soluable machining oil.  Cut it with water, around 10:1 (water:oil).  Or buy a can of Ballistol and cut it the same way.  You don't need Hoppes' specifically.  However, I have used 9+ in the past, and it was very good...just not the best.

[Maven]

What Taylor said!  Btw, I've never seen and thus never used this Hoppes product and have somehow managed to shoot my BP guns with nary a problem.

[Robby]

Go to a machine shop and score some water soluable machining oil.  Cut it with water, around 10:1 (water:oil).  Or buy a can of Ballistol and cut it the same way.  You don't need Hoppes' specifically.  However, I have used 9+ in the past, and it was very good...just not the best.

Yep.
Robby

[Leatherbark]

The Hoppe's Black Powder solvent and patch lube has a smell that is 100 times better than Ballistol.  It is sort of like when you were a kid sniffing Ethyl Gasoline vapors.  An aroma that when you open the bottle, you just have to take a snort of it.  When I open a bottle of Ballistol,  I instantly think of puke.

Bob

[Flint62Smoothie]

FWIW many of the top flintlock shooters in NE use that Hoppe's “Black Powder” Solvent and Patch Lube. Shoot all day with zero crud build-up and sustained accuracy.

[Daryl]

Another relatively easy to get commercial patch lube in the States, would be Hornady Patch Lube.
I suspect it is similar to the old LHV or Mr. FLintlock's Lube which is also good.

[Hawg]

I've always cleaned with water and Dawn. Need a patch lube? Water and Dawn. Why pay more?

[Stoner creek]

Try Windex with ammonia. It’s my go to. Cheap easy and every grocery store has it.

[Daryl]

For cleaning, I use water. Why pay more indeed?

[hanshi]

I have a few bottles of Hoppes Bore Cleaner and Hoppes Patch Lube laid by.  Out of everything I've used Hoppes seems to be the best.  I've bought many bottles of it over the decades and eventually found a small drum of it - sadly used up.

[Scota4570]

Soap and water works fine as a cleaner and a lube. 

I use ballistol and water.  Yes, it does smell bad.   IT lubes patches and cleans fine. 

IF it  is about the odor, you can use water soluble machinist oil and add fragrance.   Oil of wintergreen is a well regarded penetrant.  Banana oil it the prominent odor is Hoppies #9. 

I bought some Slip 2000 725 Foaming Bore Cleaner  for modern guns.  Turns out that it is water based and useless for modern guns.  It  appears to be soap and water.  I was POed.   I tossed it in the trash.  For whatever reason I fished it out and tried it on a ML.  It does work pretty good on muzzleloaders. 

[Jeff Murray]

Thanks for the feedback.  I have tried everything mentioned but Ballistol.  I guess Hoppes #9+ is a bit like my ancient I-phone.  It does everything I want it to do but the cubical wizards seem to believe they have a better idea.  A friend suggested coconut oil.  Suppose with that I could keep my barrel lubed and get a tan as well.

[Scota4570]

Coconut oil is great for cooking and personal moisturizing tasks.  It did not work well for a patch lube. 

I read Jojoba oil is as close as we get to sperm whale oil.  I saw no advantages.  IT is extremely slippery.  I had a friend trying it as a patch lube.  He had it on his fingers and picked up the bottle.  The bottle slipped out out his hands and broke on the ground.

I also find Murphy's oil soap to be too slippery to load with out fumbling things. 

For range shooting water based is the best for me.   I use a divided  little plastic food storage box for cleaning and  shooting patches.  I pour a little moose milk in with the patches and  wring them out before using. 

[Scout]

Ebay has it.
I've used it now for well over 10 years and swear by it.
More shooting, less cleaning.

I'd highly recommend it but YMMV.

[hanshi]

I've used Hoppes Bore Cleaner, #9 Patch Lube, Bore Cleaner & Patch Lube, etc.  Over the past 25 years I've used the various Hoppes BP products as patch lubes and all worked very well.  Some are more specific than others but I think any of them will work well as patch lubes.

[Daryl]

In my .40 and .45 barrels when switching form water based lube to LehighValley Lube, I had to increase the loads in both rifles by 10 gr. to get back the accuracy lost when switching lube types. The LHV is VERY slippery. I am talking about 1/2", 5 shot groups at 50 yds.- type accuracy.
LOL sold both of those rifles.

[smylee grouch]

Hopes is my lube of choice when I don't have any Bear Oil \ grease. Basically shoot non stop with out cleaning between shots. Its slightly less messy when loading than Bear Oil .