Lube wad storage

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MSalyards
Posts: 270
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:18 pm
Location: Nine Mile Falls Wa

Lube wad storage

Post by MSalyards »

I'm pre making some lube wads for some PP hunting loads with some DGL lube. Would it hurt to store them in the freezer or just refrigerate them? Their oily little suckers and I don't want them sticking together.

Mike
bobw
Posts: 3841
Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 12:52 pm

Re: Lube wad storage

Post by bobw »

The very purpose of the lube wad is not to "lube" . Oil of 1 type or another is combined with wax of 1 kind or other.The wax is melted so it and the oil will combine, whether you pour it into a sheet mold or a cookie mold is your choice, as your melt cools it solidify's and even when it's solid it should be soft. Placed on top the card wad over your powder column then place another over it sandwiching your lube wad. There are many different card wads or cork ones that can be used. Ideally they have a tight fit in your case neck sealing the lube from migration into the powder or to the patch. Some like milk carton wads, I like mine made Minutemaid lemonade cartons they run about .026" in thickness and are excellent as a lube barrier. When you fire a round the lube wad is compressed and pressurized to a point it phase changes back to liquid if you are using the right ingredients and this liquid is coating your bore before the bp fouling ultimately keeping your fouling soft and easier managed to maintain a consistant bore condition. A consistant bore condition is what keeps your groups tight as long as your load is right to begin with and you are doing your part on the trigger. Their are many here who do not use lube wads at all and hate them fore whatever reasons they have. I like them and use them in all my loads. Now without them some of the most accomplished shooters on this site do very well using their own tested out wad stack and wiping after EVERY shot to maintain their bore condition for the best accuracy. In the late 1870's and 80's this is what the target shooters evolved too. Real history not a guess.
But I digress,no do not leave them in the refrigerator or freezer it hardens them making them bleed the oil back out. The wax, whatever kind you use is the carrier for the oil nothing more nothing less. Store your lube wads in a nonabsorbant container out of the light and heat like a closed dark cupboard. My loads work in the field and at long range on the gongs. It worked 150 years ago and that is the technology I want to recreate and use. Bobw
bobw
Kurt
Posts: 8428
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:28 pm
Location: Not Far enough NW in Illinois

Re: Lube wad storage

Post by Kurt »

Why make a bunch of lube wads and have them get stuck together or deformed with handling them.
Make a BIG lube wad and load your cases with powder and a wad over the powder and use the case the wad will be in and cut it. This way it will be undamaged and the exact size the case needs.

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MSalyards
Posts: 270
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:18 pm
Location: Nine Mile Falls Wa

Re: Lube wad storage

Post by MSalyards »

I have the large sheet already, I was just going to pre cut a few to use in a load I got from Kenny W. Don't have the rifle yet, any day now. I didn't want to load for it till the gun was in my hands. How do you store your large sheet if the wads are not pre-made? And I do have the case punch for the size I need.

Mike
Kurt
Posts: 8428
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:28 pm
Location: Not Far enough NW in Illinois

Re: Lube wad storage

Post by Kurt »

I use a old refrigerator I have in the basement that don't work. I just use it for dry storage for primers and the freezer compartment is where I keep my lube. You don't need to keep it cold. If you don't have one just put it in a box between two sheets of wax paper and put it on the shelf or under the bench.
The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"Winston Churchill
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