Black Powder Cartridges and Lithium Grease

[Wildalaska]

Is it OK for base pins etc or is a more organic one better

WildcleanupAlaska TM

 

[zippy13]

For BP revolvers, I use a clear grease, like RIG or STOS, for the mechanical parts and organics (paraffin+beeswax+mutton tallow) on the fire side. If this is wrong, will some serious shooter please correct me.

 

[Hawg]

Lithium grease is fine for base pins and actions, just don't get it in the bore or chambers.

 

[Wildalaska]

Lithium grease is fine for base pins and actions, just don't get it in the bore or chambers.

This is for the incoming Webley-Pryce..18 grain of FFFG with 255g grain unlubed bullet.

Laziness will require a squirt of appropriate lube in two of the cylinders however

WildsoasnottolubethebulletsAlaska TM

 

[darkgael]

load

Where did you score the Webley-Pryse? I'd love to have one of those in .577.
Since I was thinking about the gun, I went into Wm. Dowell's "The Webley Story" to look up what I could about loads.
I don't know where you'd find them but one of the .450 loads referenced for the W-P (No.4, 1876) is that 18 grains of powder under a 265 grain bullet (682 fps/5.75" bbl.). The other is a 225 grain bullet pushed by 13 grains (598fps - 5.75" bbl).
All I have seen lately is the 255 grain bullet, though I suppose that CBE makes a mold for the other weights. They do make a HB bullet at 265 grains and .454 dia.
Pete

 

[Hawg]

Be better to use a vegetable based lube then. Petro lubes leave a gummy mess that's hard to clean.

 

[Wildalaska]

Where did you score the Webley-Pryse? I'd love to have one of those in .577.

Pics and thread upcoming

Be better to use a vegetable based lube then. Petro lubes leave a gummy mess that's hard to clean.

Thats what I feared

WildsaladoilAlaska TM

 

[arcticap]

I haven't found any evidence that lithium grease contains any other petroleum ingredients besides possibly mineral oil which leads it to being placed in the category of "petroleum based lubricants".
If mineral oil is the only petroleum product in it, then it wouldn't have any negative reactions with black powder residue.
Some folks have used lithium grease in their black powder barrels and/or chambers without any problem.
Let's not discount lithium grease as a viable black powder lubricant without there being a factual basis other than there being a "guilt by association" with the word petroleum.
Vaseline petroleum jelly is another one of those petroleum products that's totally harmless to use with black powder yet folks often think that it's bad just because its name contains the word petroleum.
I don't know if all brands of lithium grease are the same or not, but at least some of them are claimed to be perfectly okay to use in direct contact with black powder.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-based_grease

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Petroleum_based_lubricants

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_(lubricant)

Post #20 by Pulp:

4. I've never tried it, but a lot of folks have suggested white lithium grease for chamber sealing. It sounds contridictory to me to use petroleum products on BP firearms, but a lot of folks swear by it. I do plan on getting some before EOT.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=514559&highlight=lithium+grease

Post #11 by Hellgate:

Otherwise, I use automotive grease because whether it is 90 above or freezing it will still go through the syringe. Any beees wax/olive oil/ "organic", "natural" lube you make up will harden in cold weather and run in real hot weather. Contrary to popular belief the auto grease (or lithium) keeps the bore fouling down and prevents chain firing. I also use an under ball lube wad with traditional lubes but it won't liquify in hot weather.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=500419&highlight=lithium+grease

Post #25 by Allison:

Once scrubbed and rinsed I use a hair dryer to dry. It gets the cylinder so hot that you can't hold it. Then white lithium grease on the nipple threads, hand, bolt and cylinder pin. The lithium grease has exceptional anti-seize qualities and also prevents fouling between the cylinder and cylinder pin.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=466563&highlight=lithium+grease

Post #7 by Hawkeye748:

I pack the insides with White Lithium grease. It is available at your local auto parts or hardware store. I make sure the holes inside the frame are filled before I start shooting. This grease will catch and trap the fouling that normally gets inside. Also helps keep out cap fragments. No problems and can go at least 3 skirmishes without needing to clean inside. This includes practice. Only have to clean the cylinder, pin, barrel, loading levers, etc. No full break down required.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=463509&highlight=lithium+grease

Post #12 by dkennedy:

I compete in the N-SSA and use a custom built M1841 Mississippi in .54 cal. I use a load of 45 grains of FFF Goex BP, over a 360 grain Shiloh Minie. The cannelures are lubed with SPG and the base is filled with red lithium grease. I can shoot well over 100 rounds without cleaning, with no more difficulty in loading after the first fired round then the 100th. Accuracy remains constant throughout the session as well.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=456418&highlight=lithium+grease

Post #27 by Hellgate:

I use anti-seize lube or heavy lithium grease on the threads so I can get the nipples back out.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=440611&highlight=lithium+grease&page=2

Post #20 by Pulp:

Very good article. But, oddly enough I know of one feller that removes the grips then dunks the whole revolver in a 5 gallon bucket of WD-40, then lets them drip dry. Another feller uses white lithium grease for over bullet lube. Neither has had none of the problems usually associated with petroleum products.
Me, I'm like y'all. It's Bore Butter, Crisco, Ballistol for me.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=223515&highlight=lithium+grease

Post #15 by DuncanSA:

I've only been shooting BP revolvers for about 5 years and so can't talk about really long term stuff. Anyway, I tried Scrat's graphite suggestion and it works for me re the internals. For the rest I use Ballistol with a light dab of white lithium based grease on the Colt arbours.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=415130&highlight=lithium+grease

Post #15 by Warder:

hi load your pistol the proper way ,powder ,filler ball ,and a smear of lithium grease over the top.use semolina as a filler to bring the ball close to the top of the cylinder ,WE ALL USE TWO FLASKS ,ONE POWDER ONE SEMOLINA CUT TO SUIT THE LOAD ,dont mess about with wax wads they dont work well at all,get a syringe fill with lithium grease and squirt ouer the ball when loaded. BEST RESULTS .no messin.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=398669&highlight=lithium+grease

Post #2 by Pulp:

A lot of folks are perfectly happy with Crisco. I use Bore Butter, but it's really a bit melty in the summertime. I know of folks who swear by white lithium grease, which flies in the face of the old "avoid petroleum products" theory, but it works for them.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=342586&highlight=lithium+grease

Post #4 by MCgunner:

Crisco is CHEAP! I used it for years. Also had some white lithium grease I used to use, but don't remember any brand names. I use cast conicals in my Ruger and pre lube 'em with regular bullet lube and that works fine, but with balls, I still use Crisco, or rather what ever generic Crisco like stuff I can buy cheaper 'cause I'm one cheap SOB.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=170646&highlight=lithium+grease