percussion revolver series making wads

here i begin to test a common candle to see if it will work as a base to create wads for a .44 replica.in the video i go over each step of testing .

[@TheBamaChad-W4CHD]

I can't tell you how much time my grandaddy used to spend out in the barn playing mad scientist with oils and God knows what to get a good lube that wouldn't foul up as much. I still remember his whiskey fueled rants and black fingers well. He's been gone over 20 years now. Great video!

[@russellkeeling4387]

A big can of Crisco works really well for an over the bullet lube. It works the best of any of the lubes I have tried in that it keeps the fouling soft and I can fire many times and not have to assist the cylinder in cocking. I have never used a wad with no problems at all. Crisco over the bullet does not ignite and does not harden like wax will.

[@LarryTalbot_1313]

...and just like that Wal-mart stores all over the country have a run on big candles, women's make up wipes and frisbies and no one can figure out why! This is a great idea. I just hope they have the stuff to try this when I get there! Loving the percussion series!!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

well we shall see..this will be a full series where i test each step it may not be worth while in the long run but we will all learn from it i am sure

[@jefflang6271]

You sold me on Bore Butter a few years ago. It is the best base pin/arbor lube I have ever tried. I make my own lambs tallow/beeswax lube as well. I also Bore Butter the bore before a shooting session (like you suggested in a previous video) and it works great.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i have made tallow and beeswax many times..and my go to is bore butter just to save a bit on components..we will see how this new stuff holds up

[@johnbernstein203]

Jeff......can you give a more detailed information on your beeswax/tallow lube recipe and how you make it and in what proportions. I would like to make some lube to put on my minie balls in .58 cal. Thanks kindly.

[@chrisbreen119]

I have been told by a long time black powder shooter that awasps nest made a good wad as it was fairly fireproof I havent tried it yet but I have been saving up old wasps nests getting ready to try this

[@jettsnake1979]

I bought 6 tubes of cotton pads just like those for black powder wadding (as well as general gun cleaning), except I was using them dry in a 1" pipe cannon, I didn't even think about using them as conventional lubed wads in my revolvers, great content as usual! I live in the humid Houston area, so no worries on embers.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

we used them as wadding in smoothbore .62 cal trade guns for turkey loads..as long as they dont burn or smoulder your good

[@ChicanoSteve]

Very nice experiment! I'll be making my own, I have everything already here, the punches, cottons, and plenty of good candles, thank you @BlackieThomas for sharing! 💯💥🤠

[@Backin_Theday]

I've been looking for the perfect punch backing. I tried actual kitchen cutting boards but never thought about a Frisbee. That is a game changer right there. Thank you for the the idea.

[@paultrimble9390]

Good stuff. Learning a lot. Thanks keep those video’s rolling and stay safe.

[@jamescraig8601]

I love these wads. I put my tool in a drill. I eliminated the cutting grooves in the backer board. It doesn't take much of a turn to cut the wool.

[@mikepoteet1443]

I make my wads from those yellow ear plugs. I use a razor knife to cut 5 wads per plug. They work great!

[@Eralen00]

I make my lube/grease with beeswax and coconut oil, I find it nicer than Olive oil. Change the proportions depending on your climate, since coconut oil can either be a solid or liquid at room temp, depending on the temp your room's at. Might not work as well in colder climates, but i find it smells great

[@EgaoKage]

Very true. And, if you've ever had the misfortune of smelling olive oil that's gone rancid; well, that'll dis-spell any doubts about which oil is preferable. Coconut oil doesn't go rancid, generally. And, just think; if you can smell that rancid olive oil, _what must it smell like to deer!?_ They 'll probably smell that coming, from a mile away, literally!

[@85waspnest]

I gave up using wads after finding some stuck to the target 25 yards away. My groups halved in size and fliers eliminated by base dipping Eras Gone Colt .36 conicals up to the grease groove in a molten mixture of 40% lamb tallow, 40% beeswax and 20% candle wax. After shooting 48 rounds every session the bore fouling remains soft with shiny parts of rifling still visible. By the way, I use Pyrodex P due to real BP requiring a special explosives permit and storage conditions here in the UK.

[@ReichenbachEsq]

Have you compared your round ball with wad accuracy against your conical method without wads while using Pyrodex? Does the UK make you store your cap & ball revolver in a locked gun safe at home?

[@85waspnest]

@@ReichenbachEsq I find accuracy is better without wads, especially conicals. I attribute this to having to use less powder space = less velocity. The most accurate load I've found in my .36 Uberti Remington New Model Navy with Era's Gone, Colt Cartridge works conicals half dipped in my home made Beeswax/lamb tallow/ candlewax lube is 19 grains (volume), 14 grains (weighed) of Pyrodex P. Round .380 cast round balls halfway dipped also work well with 21 grains (volume), 16 grains (weighed) of Pyrodex P. NOTE - .375 Hornady balls are too small in my revolver. All firearms in the UK, except most antiques, and air guns with under 12ft lbs, must be stored in an approved safe and licenced on a 'Firearm Certificate.'

[@jayj8256]

Greetings from the Black Hills of South Dakota - great information! (we only have the OCCASIONAL mosquito, and the Rare tick out here in Spearfish, SD... typical year is too dry for either)

[@Eralen00]

I also got that same set of punches, but mine came very dull. If you have some kind of grinder/sander and you can sharpen them, and a torch to harden them, its a great deal. Don't bother annealing, these punches seem to be mild steel, so they won't harden enough to make them brittle, but it does make a difference.

[@jameslessick4624]

You're gonna make wads, I'm gonna make wads. Thanks again for the best info.Have a great day.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

You bet

[@timsmith9169]

Good point about forest fire 👍👍👍

[@book3100]

I used to mix up lard and wax. That made good lube on muslin for rifle patches. I never had that sort of revolver, but I plan to get one.

[@drakon1300]

I work in a machine shop so I made my own punches to make wads. I used a recipe for bullet lube I found that used beeswax, paraffin wax and lard.. now I leave out the paraffin wax and just use beeswax and left over bacon grease. I just pour the warm bacon grease though a coffee filter into a jar to remove impurities. then I melt the wax and grease in a pan. until it blends. the right mix when its cooled is a good paste that wont melt at 100 degrees outside.

[@denisdegamon8224]

Bacon grease will turn rancid on you over time.

[@drakon1300]

@@denisdegamon8224 I have some of the lube I made several years ago and it is still good because the wax keeps it from going rancid. Candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax in ancient times.... Tallow is animal fat..

[@Curtislow2]

@@drakon1300 good to know that is my plan also.

[@karsonbranham3900]

I made some of my own lube 50/50 beeswax olive oil works well! Thanks for the awesome video Blackie!

[@Rumblestrip]

I do the same thing. My revolvers seem to like it pretty well... Im at a 25/75 mix, wax heavy with mine though. Seems to work well but my not soft like bore butter, but it works very well in my bpcr also at that level pan lubing. My 45-110 Sharps loves it with fffg swiss. Lol

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

@@Rumblestrip i have played with the mixes 25/75 50/50 60/40..each good for a certain job..

[@richarddixson1971]

toilet ring wax, touch of pure carnuba(more firm) wax, pure lanolin oil, little bit of flax seed oil or olive oil great bore butter and leather conditioner water proofing. You could eat it? I soak punched felt furnature leg protectors from 99 cent store while my mix is hot.

[@JOHNCornish-qv2hv]

Thanks I cut out a 100 going to try them out. from Texas.

[@davidstewart5811]

Outstanding video. Very informative and detailed. Thank you.

[@KathrynLiz1]

I use pre-lubed bullets with no ads with success. My bullet lube is beeswax/crisco, jusr sift enough to work in the lub-sizer. Thank for yet another fascinating video,,

[@joecallahan3379]

Great information and presentation

[@n8sot]

Wow!!!! Thank you Blackie!!!!! Thats pretty innovative....I LIKE it!!!!!! Man I wish i was closer to ya!!!!! Thanks for the info!!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Any time!

[@grandpabear5493]

7/16 = .4375, 3/8 = .375 I have a similar set. I also have more precise punches too, like a .750 punch I use for end caps on paper cartridges where I can get 74 out of a 8" brown coffee filter. I also have a 15/32 (.469), it is a little big for paper cartridges, but will work just fine for making quick draw practice blanks. I haven't found a 29/64 (453), yet. I'm also still using 1/4 stiff felt, where I can get 4 wads per 1 sq.in. I finely sharpen my punches and use a cutting board as a platform. And, I can easily cut them in two, to make 1/8" wads. Thumbs up as always!! Blackie Sir, I am sorry! I not trying to take over your show, and I wish I had your nerve, I can't make videos of my own, bout get sick trying.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

good info thanks

[@EgaoKage]

You can sometimes find 100% wool overcoats, with a high degree of felting to them, at Goodwill for around $30. That might sound like a lot of money, but think of how many wads you get out of an overcoat. One coat might last you 10 years. Especially if you mainly shoot a .36 cal.

[@Seahawksl1969]

You must have been reading my mind Blackie. For the past few days I have been looking into ways to make my own wads and sealer over the ball instead of store bought bore butter.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

we all know the tried and true tallo and beeswax works..but is there a cheaper source today..thats what i am looking at now

[@Seahawksl1969]

@@BLACKIETHOMAS that's exactly right and the whole point. There isn't only one way to do something. I was debating on doing tallo and beeswax and making my own chamber seals and wads. If a melted down candle will do the job, I'm all for it.

[@robertrandin9568]

Very knowledgeable video thank you very much

[@jasonleee9401]

You ain't lying about them skeeters in south Alabama, jesus,big as hell too

[@junkbug1]

Thanks for all the tips. The Walmart candles will stretch my supply of precious beeswax, and I will try the cotton face pads for wads. I will bu a bumper supply, because I seem to be having trouble finding cleaning patches. Awesome you for them, even if I don’t like the wads.

[@karlt8233]

For cleaning patches I buy white cotton flannel from the fabric section at Wal Mart, Micheals or Joann's Fabrics. Cut to size and much cheaper than ready made cleaning patches.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

very true also i have waited till spring look around the good will for flannel sheets to show up i buy then for a few bucks and cut them up for patches a king size flannel make a pile of patches

[@Seahawksl1969]

You can always use t-shirts.

[@karlt8233]

@@Seahawksl1969 I quit using t-shirt material in muzzleloaders when I had one get stuck down a .32 long rifle bore. It's ok for wipe downs and in open ended barrels but won't use them in traditional guns any more.

[@Seahawksl1969]

@@karlt8233 ok.

[@nobodywho3254]

Yall so fancy I just got a euro arms Rodgers &Spencer 44 , and haven't been able to find balls or caps the right size but I been shooting it using 45./.440 balls a patch cut from gun cloth, bearing Greased, and found # 11 caps bent in a little round the edges to fit tight and barring grease, to seal the chambers , and I've had no problems so far , I don't recommend this but in a fix we do what we can in the south, DERNTOOTIN!

[@6.5mm_is_the_best_mm]

From everything I have read, it is actually the sulfur created by the combustion of the black powder mixing with petroleum products that creates tar. That is why smokeless propellants do not create tar as they do not create sulfur so the use of petroleum oils is not an issue with modern firearms. I think petroleum oil is okay to use with Hodgdon Triple Seven for these reasons. Pyrodex on the other hand does create sulfur- if memory serves me.

[@FuriousFarmboy]

So, I bought a gallon of beef tallow before I read that lamb tallow was preferred. I've picked up some canning paraffin and am having fair results with coconut oil. 2 parts tallow, 2 parts paraffin, 1 part oil. I'm going to order some harder and thicker felt. I soak the felt after I punch it out and I've been squeezing out the excess lube.

[@deandeann1541]

I like bore butter more than wonder lube. Similar makeup but the bore butter has a better consistancy and also works better in cool weather.

[@hatfieldmccoy0311]

Great video brother, can't make it up to the bushcraft event this weekend, have to work and it is a 3 hour drive up there, hope to get the chance to meet sometime soon. Appreciate your videos alot. Be safe

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

I hope so too!

[@FuriousFarmboy]

You posted this video 2 days before I broke my leg riding cross country. I shoulda been out shooting instead of riding my motorcycle in the desert,,, alone.

[@shooter130d]

Great video! Very interesting! Thanks.

[@caseysr.sectionhiker8372]

Thank you sir, this is exactly the area of my recent concerns, as you are right on target with your statements concerning sparks likely to ignite the West coast & burn it down. We've had a few fires start at a make-shift gun range North of here from modern firearms ammo striking (quartz?) rocks.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

wow that would be tough to live there in that kind of dryness

[@williamlockhart5031]

Hi Blackie! Someone shot just as you said what kind of tube you keep your loads in. Would you kindly let me know what that was? Thank you!

[@linasmagnum]

I just drip a few drops of Ballistol on loaded ball and let it solidifye a bit, it is parafin based too, ya know

[@joshshelton796]

Awesome video man!

[@joecallahan3379]

If you use a waxed wad , do you need to apply any sealer to the cylinder mouth or would how tight of a seal you get from your bullet make a difference, new to the game

[@miked9383]

Sone seal. Some do not. I do.

[@jerryhallman5612]

Blackie I used to use rain ex to reduce friction on the paintball as it travels through the bore .Can this help with firearms

[@greywuuf]

I would like to see some powder in contact long term tests. Sure way to "inertify" primers or percusion caps is to get oil on them. Be interesting to now if over time these wads will destroy powder touching them ( say like storing paper cartridges )

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thats on the list..i plan to load a full cyl and wait 2 weeks then fire one chamber.. after that i will shoot one chamber per week till all have been fired to see if oil creep is getting into the powder..that would be a full 2 months loaded for the last chamber

[@Beuwen_The_Dragon]

Doubt it would do too much, being unless you pour straight liquid into your chambres, it won't hurt em. Heck you can still fine lubed cartridges over a hundred years old that will shoot. You should be fine.

[@williamgregory6684]

Would it affect accuracy or take up too much room if you punched out a piece of egg carton and stuck it between the wad and the powder?

[@todhurley3756]

Blackie what do you think of using grits are corn mill with lube over the ball. And also does wander wads foul the powder if left loaded over night. I am new to this any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

filler is good when your doing light target loads..and the wonder wads you buy can be loaded for months and not cause problems

[@todhurley3756]

@@BLACKIETHOMAS Thanks so much.

[@mkshffr4936]

Hi Blackie. Your videos have rekindled my interest in percussion revolvers and I am really tempted to go get myself a remington pocket to start. Just wondering what you think about swaging up some short wadcutters (about caliber length) to improve terminal ballistics. More on topic, what do you think of using plain vegetable fiber wads with just a dot of BP lube between wad and ball?

[@morisdrion4540]

Blackie, what you think about usage copper grease paste (2192°F) like releasing agent for nipple screw thread? Thank you! (I am new in BP)

[@LarryTalbot_1313]

I Use choke lube. It has never failed me yet!

[@karlt8233]

I use choke tube grease, brand does not matter, and a tube last a long time.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

@@karlt8233 i have seen guys use the grease for brake rotors and berrings before and it will work..

[@johnpogz9523]

I use clarity bp lube. Its great its a 50/50 mutton tallow and bees wax. Comes in a little Mason jar

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Good stuff

[@JohnTBlock]

Blackie, your an ol' Southern boy, have you ever tried Crisco shortening for the grease with the beeswax? Did it work, if yes? ALSO, LEE Precision makes a conical bullet mold, have you ever worked with it? I've got a Ruger Old Army, have only fired round ball out of it. Curious on your results, Blackie!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

crisco does work but in hot summer it will melt off

[@jakewayrewa5201]

Excellent! One of your best videos; looks like a lot of fun. But from a practical standpoint, is this just to find a less expensive alternative to beeswax/tallow soaked felt wads? Are you looking for a performance improvement over wax/tallow felt wads?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Yes, exactly i am looking at cost..and if there is any advantage in changing

[@breezog3484]

You can use a toilet wax ring its bees wax

[@Gavoon17]

I like the preferred method. What video is that in.

[@shihanjulio]

Does the Walmart candle type matter???

[@Tammy-un3ql]

Thanks

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Welcome

[@gunadaptersLLC]

Nice test

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks!

[@suzz1776]

thank u for the disclaimer. u prob saved me from a distaster. cuz here in San Diego, commiefornia, these will prob b a big no go. lol. I dont wanna burn the state down, although it might do some good if I did. lol. just kidding

[@nomadpi1]

OK. thks. Beats Noxema pads. Walmart? Brand name? Scent type? Size? When was this video posted?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

couple yrs ago i think

[@krf1448]

Blackie, is there a bar code (upc) number for the candle. The one in the video is hard to read the label.

[@clintonmckee4014]

What is the difference between pyrodex RS and the pyrodex P? Ok p- is for pistols but can you use RS in the pistols? Would you need to load a little more or less?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i have used both in a cap n ball revolver the RS is for rifle / shotgun is to be FF replacement P is a revolver and is a FFF replacement i have shot both kinds in revolvers and both some guns will like one better than the other

[@plmalternateplmalternate6163]

A potential pitfall with an ingredient like such-and-such brand of candle is that, unlike lamb tallow or palm oil, they may change the blend at any time. The next time they make them, X will be more expensive and Y less, so the mix will change. All they care about is how good a candle it will make.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Great tip!

[@G-man45444]

When you press down the wad, how much pressure are you pulling on the lever ??

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

not much i just want the wad to be level i n the chamber often i just seat it until i feel a little resistance from the powder

[@randellhillspeaks753]

The brown Listerine put into a spray bottle and spray it on you will keep mosquitoes off big time

[@michaelhogue3489]

Freaking Cool

[@Bill23799]

Thanks for the interesting video sir. Was there any specific candle you suggest from Walmart?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

the candle is a mainstay cozy comfort i picked it for being whit and thus look like tallo

[@wesmosseroutdoorhobbieswas7207]

Ha Blackie have you tried toilet bowl rings . 36 calibre Pre made paper cartridges Can easily be made with the Ready made cigarette tubes you buy for making 🚬 Cut a small portion of the filter use lube on it with the Balls

[@wesmosseroutdoorhobbieswas7207]

By the way love all your videos new to black Powder revolver's been shooting old Hawkins all my life.the last month since I watch your videos l have Bought 2 1851 navys 1in 44 1 in 36 &1858 new model Rem 1n 44 i Guess I'm hooked keep up the good work Hurray4 Dixie

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i have not tried that the bowl ring yes made lub with it back in the 90's for smooth bore muskets

[@keithhagler502]

The old rings used to bee beeswax, but I heard rumors that the new ones may have petroleum waste in them. I really don't know. I used one to do some 'smokeless' .45 Colt loads, and it worked great, but it needs some paraffin to stiffen it a little. I could not bring myself to use it with black.

[@grandpabear5493]

Sir, if I may, does your local range cost much? The local range around here cost $175.00/yr. for a family. That's more than my property taxes.

[@jameslessick4624]

That's about what my range costs first year.

[@karlt8233]

Mine is $200/single or $300/yr family. 50% discount for Vets/LEO/Fire/EMS.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

same here 200 a yr i think..but they got lots to offer and its a short trip from home so i use it

[@wolfswesterns6650]

@@karlt8233 You win, actually, you lose, lol. Price wise, bad joke I know. - I know the range in Saltville is $175.00 for a family, but I am not sure about a single, maybe $125.00 or so. But, Thanks for the heads up, and I will ask them about Veterans discounts. I would like to thank all of you who replied to my post. But, I may have found a place where I can go to test my powder, if nothing else. This morning, I made a 7 yd range under the house in the root cellar. The five rounds I tested, all went off as expected, and made a group about the size of my fist. So, that should save me a little money until after the 1st of the year. As long as no one calls the police. Seriously. Y'all take care, and stay safe during this trying time.

[@FuriousFarmboy]

My back yard is open Range. ;-)

[@tommysmith5905]

Are you in North Alabama or south I'm in North al

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

bottom right corner near dothan /enterprise

[@taurushipointenthusiast1306]

For my own, I use 72 x 12 felt 1/8 thick a 50-50 bees wax tallow I add about 3% Gulf wax say 1/2 ounce to a pound. Works well a kin to as your description. That is me, for half the work I am thinking your lube be easier on me, my wallet. thanks

[@tommyschauer3093]

Have you tried wool felt like from a fabric store?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yes and it can work well if thick enough..but i get mine in a surplus form i will talk of that in a upcoming video

[@brentmack51]

Kind of off topic did you serve as a BM3 on the Bittersweet?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

no cant say i have

[@nunyabidniz2868]

You said "Beeswax has the highest melting point of natural waxes" but I think you meant to say "smoke point" since beeswax melts well below the boiling point of water.

[@lonnielouiselee7104]

How do i get Kado bullets ?

[@SamLFisher]

Here is a secret. Make lube cookies. Use a silicone baking tray, melt 60 beeswax and 40 criso. Pour into a silicone tray at 1/8 inch thick. Use a case to punch out cookies. The best lube ever. Simple and easy.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yep good quick and easy

[@BushCraftN4U]

This might be the kind of wax you got there (see link at end). would like to have the skew # from the candle to do more research if you can. Having problems finding #10 caps, have you noticed a shortage in your area? Traditions manual say # 10 or # 11 caps will work but not happy with the #11's fit, do you know of any #11 nipples for the Pietta .44 cal.? Thanx for the vids, best wishes to you and yours. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcrystalline_wax

[@jameslessick4624]

Good luck finding caps and when you do buy lots!

[@Ender3Me]

I know where you can buy DIY #10 caps. Powder not included. Make with strike anywhere match powder and a drop of acetone. EDITED: i had the price wrong. It's $7 for 64PCS.

[@LarryTalbot_1313]

I can't even get a #10 cap any where near here within a decent driving distance. I hate ordering that stuff online because of the has-mat charges, so I'm stuck with squeezing #11s. Worse than that, I can only find CCI's!!!

[@LarryTalbot_1313]

@@Ender3Me WHERE?!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

@@LarryTalbot_1313 a few weeks ago i bought a few thousand from midsouth shooters supply

[@russellkeeling4387]

Why use a wad at all?

[@duke927]

Hi Blackie. Good and informative video as usual. A YT video by McPilot makes round ball black powder cartridges and uses Dental wax sheets as a lubricant: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mprbhJiEltqAnNE at 14:25 Also a KZbinr called Old Ranger has has a few videos he shot (doesn’t seem to be making them anymore) about precision shooting with his BP revolvers testing various powders and loads and different guns and his opinion is that lube over ball rather than wad under ball is more accurate. Thought you might be interested.

[@williamcrawford7982]

Only you can start a forest fire! 🤔

[@clydedavis1428]

Why not hummingbirds tallow why isn't beef tallow good easer to get no sheep around here .

[@stevecoffman1576]

Clyde Davis , Because Lamb Tallow will not go bad, like Beef tallow does.

[@karlt8233]

Found a tin of lubed patches I did around 2006 using beeswax and beef tallow. Opened it up and OMG the smell was not good. Patches looked black vs blue stripe ticking.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

that was the real reason for the tallow it was more like wax and did not turn rancid easy where as all the other common fats of the day would go bad in a few days

[@keithhagler502]

Best thing for beef tallow is for a candle or lamp, and even then, it has to be rendered down about 2 more times and strained to get out all the things that go rancid. I guess it could be done for lube, but it's just a lot more work.

[@FuriousFarmboy]

@@karlt8233 My patches are headed for the freezer now!

[@itllkeal]

Thanks