Originally Posted by
rgsheppard
We had used the beeswax-Crisco-EVOO mixture. Because of COVID, lubed musket bullets sat for a year. We used them this year and found the lube had become gummy and difficult to load. Didn't have a problem with the carbine where the lubed end of the bullet is loaded into the case and protected from air.
Have learned to make musket cartridges in quantity for storage, but not lube them until a week before the attending skirmish.
Garry/all,
Early this year I made the conversion to SPG lube (you can find it via a google search) thanks entirely to the advice of a friend/skirmisher.
Doing so has been one of the BEST changes I have ever made to my skirmish loads!!! Yes, it is more costly than Crisco-Bees-wax type lube - BUT you get what you pay for. I use a RCBS lubri-sizer, SPG lube sticks and S&S sizing die for my musket & carbine. For me, fouling is absolutely non-existent (you still need properly sized minies!) in my beloved Fayetteville! I literally can shoot her ALL day long and enjoy effortless, smooth loading - the last round is seated home as easily/smoothly as first, all without punching/brushing the bore!!!
Also - the best part, once rounds are lubed/sized the SPG stays FRESH for extraordinarily long periods, even on the skirts of minies - despite being exposed to air when seated nose down, in tubes. I know of skirmishers shooting minies which were lubed over a year ago without issue. This winter, I plan to load up all of my musket tubes & Maynard/Ballard brass during the winter months for the upcoming year.
In short, lube does go bad (rancid) over time, with the exception of SPG. Believe it or not, old / bad / stale lube WILL have a direct and adverse impact on your pieces accuracy!
Hope this helps.
Semper Fi,
Rob Freeman
Col, USMC (Ret.)
1987-2019
The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor. - Vince Lombardi
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