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Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 4:53 am
by Bigslug
One thing I've noted in playing around with some of my Dad's BP toys is that the ignition and burn of compressed black powder produces some staggeringly consistent velocities over a chronograph - and usually with far less effort than it takes to get similarly tight spreads (or a little worse) with smokeless.
Given that we now have Ballistol to make "moose milk" and spray bottles to dispense it with, I'm no longer scared of the corrosive propellants boogeyman. By all means load up with the real stuff and enjoy the puffy white, sweet-smelling clouds.
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 8:23 am
by sakodude
I've been using BP in my C. Sharps 1875 40-65 for 30ish years without any concern whatsoever. I keep a spray bottle of windex in my kit to soak the bore. "Moose Milk" is not something I am familiar with if you'd care to elaborate.
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 12:24 pm
by Bigslug
Ballistol is a German gun CLP that's been around since WWI or a little before. The sales pitch is basically non-toxic, non-gumming, can be used to preserve the leather and wood components as well as the metal, and being mildly alkaline, it neutralizes corrosive agents in BP or mercuric primers. Supposedly, you can use it as a "wound oil" like Vaseline or maybe even Neosporin, but I haven't read the manual on that part yet.
Moose Milk is what you get when you dilute Ballistol with water at ratios between 1/1 and 5/1. It's effective at cleaning up your black powder gunk, and when the water component evaporates, you have a protective oil in place.
I've been using it for both BP and corrosive mil-surp ammo for a couple years now. You can start the initial cleaning at the range with a heavy spritz down the bore, bolt face, percussion nipples, etc..., and the rust-causing elements will be neutrailized and the gunk softened for the wipe-off by the time you get home. Good stuff!
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 1:20 pm
by sakodude
Bigslug wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2024 12:24 pm
Ballistol is a German gun CLP that's been around since WWI or a little before. The sales pitch is basically non-toxic, non-gumming, can be used to preserve the leather and wood components as well as the metal, and being mildly alkaline, it neutralizes corrosive agents in BP or mercuric primers. Supposedly, you can use it as a "wound oil" like Vaseline or maybe even Neosporin, but I haven't read the manual on that part yet.
Moose Milk is what you get when you dilute Ballistol with water at ratios between 1/1 and 5/1. It's effective at cleaning up your black powder gunk, and when the water component evaporates, you have a protective oil in place.
I've been using it for both BP and corrosive mil-surp ammo for a couple years now. You can start the initial cleaning at the range with a heavy spritz down the bore, bolt face, percussion nipples, etc..., and the rust-causing elements will be neutrailized and the gunk softened for the wipe-off by the time you get home. Good stuff!
Great info. I will have to give that a try.
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 2:02 pm
by Elk Creek
sakodude wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2024 1:20 pm
Bigslug wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2024 12:24 pm
Ballistol is a German gun CLP that's been around since WWI or a little before. The sales pitch is basically non-toxic, non-gumming, can be used to preserve the leather and wood components as well as the metal, and being mildly alkaline, it neutralizes corrosive agents in BP or mercuric primers. Supposedly, you can use it as a "wound oil" like Vaseline or maybe even Neosporin, but I haven't read the manual on that part yet.
Moose Milk is what you get when you dilute Ballistol with water at ratios between 1/1 and 5/1. It's effective at cleaning up your black powder gunk, and when the water component evaporates, you have a protective oil in place.
I've been using it for both BP and corrosive mil-surp ammo for a couple years now. You can start the initial cleaning at the range with a heavy spritz down the bore, bolt face, percussion nipples, etc..., and the rust-causing elements will be neutrailized and the gunk softened for the wipe-off by the time you get home. Good stuff!
Great info. I will have to give that a try.
Don’t go buy any I have a couple pints of that stuff! A 2 lifetime supply
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 2:37 pm
by GrapeApe
There are a BUNCH of "secret sauce" recipes for "moose milk"
The one I use has Murphy's oil soap, simple green and water.
You can google "Moose milk for black powder" and get more recipes than you can shake a stick at.
One thing I would AVOID are the ones that contain peroxide.
I've seen it used as a test medium to test corrosion resistance. So I DEFINITELY don't want to add it too the corrosive BP residue. YMMV
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 7:11 pm
by Jayhawker
- FB_IMG_1718072251713.jpg (130.08 KiB) Viewed 756 times
- Buffalo Hunter 1_zpsoryszmpa (1).jpg (39.81 KiB) Viewed 756 times
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 7:18 pm
by Jayhawker
I load 535 grain Postell bullets over 68.5 grains of FFg...
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2024 8:04 pm
by Gene L
Do you need a long drop tube to load that?
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 5:24 am
by Wambli Ska
You freaking guys have got me hankering for a damn Sharps again
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 6:17 am
by sakodude
Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 5:24 am
You freaking guys have got me hankering for a damn Sharps again
How else are you going to hunt buffalo properly
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 9:09 pm
by Elk Creek
sakodude wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 6:17 am
Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 5:24 am
You freaking guys have got me hankering for a damn Sharps again
How else are you going to hunt buffalo properly
A stone tip arrow?
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 11:21 pm
by Wambli Ska
sakodude wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 6:17 am
Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 5:24 am
You freaking guys have got me hankering for a damn Sharps again
How else are you going to hunt buffalo properly
My 45-60 will do it fine, but yeah, I do need one don't I.
I have this hankering for a 50-90...
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 11:26 pm
by Wambli Ska
Elk Creek wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 9:09 pm
sakodude wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 6:17 am
Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 5:24 am
You freaking guys have got me hankering for a damn Sharps again
How else are you going to hunt buffalo properly
A stone tip arrow?
That worked fine for many centuries...
That reminds me, not too long ago I posted a picture on FB of me on the mountains standing on a BIG rock wearing tall Lama boots. EricB sent me a text saying I'd be better off with my Oboz on that trail. I reminded him that my style boot was doing services as a riding, hiking, walking, going to church, fishing, and many other activities shoe for a couple of centuries through the 1800-1900s and it did those jobs just fine...
... and he agreed
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2024 1:24 am
by sakodude
Jayhawker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2024 7:18 pm
I load 535 grain Postell bullets over 68.5 grains of FFg...
Do you cast those or buy them?
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2024 1:28 am
by sakodude
Elk Creek wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 9:09 pm
sakodude wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 6:17 am
Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 5:24 am
You freaking guys have got me hankering for a damn Sharps again
How else are you going to hunt buffalo properly
A stone tip arrow?
those indigenous people who did that had more guts than I do! Don't want to be anywhere near that close to a buffalo
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2024 2:33 am
by Elk Creek
sakodude wrote: ↑Sat Jun 15, 2024 1:28 am
Elk Creek wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 9:09 pm
sakodude wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 6:17 am
How else are you going to hunt buffalo properly
A stone tip arrow?
those indigenous people who did that had more guts than I do! Don't want to be anywhere near that close to a buffalo
Someday when you meet my brother I’ll have him tell you his Buffalo story……sort version
Trapped in pop up blind while antelope hunting when’s hers of Buffalo shaped up to the watering hole. The herd bull walks by and a cow absolutely destroys the antelope decoy….. trapped for about 3 hours
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2024 4:12 am
by Wambli Ska
sakodude wrote: ↑Sat Jun 15, 2024 1:28 am
Elk Creek wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 9:09 pm
sakodude wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 6:17 am
How else are you going to hunt buffalo properly
A stone tip arrow?
those indigenous people who did that had more guts than I do! Don't want to be anywhere near that close to a buffalo
On horseback you have a reasonable chance of getting swiftly away to watch the arrow do its thing.
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2024 4:20 am
by sakodude
Wambli Ska wrote: ↑Sat Jun 15, 2024 4:12 am
sakodude wrote: ↑Sat Jun 15, 2024 1:28 am
Elk Creek wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 9:09 pm
A stone tip arrow?
those indigenous people who did that had more guts than I do! Don't want to be anywhere near that close to a buffalo
On horseback you have a reasonable chance of getting swiftly away to watch the arrow do its thing.
I've been on a horse only once my whole life so that would just add to pucker factor for me
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2024 4:43 am
by Wambli Ska
We have got to change that…
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2024 12:56 am
by Jayhawker
Gene L wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2024 8:04 pm
Do you need a long drop tube to load that?
Yes
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2024 1:01 am
by Jayhawker
sakodude wrote: ↑Sat Jun 15, 2024 1:24 am
Jayhawker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2024 7:18 pm
I load 535 grain Postell bullets over 68.5 grains of FFg...
Do you cast those or buy them?
I bought 500 of them (pre-lubed) from Track of the Wolf.
The price was right and casting bullets bores me to tears...
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2024 1:19 am
by sakodude
Jayhawker wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2024 1:01 am
sakodude wrote: ↑Sat Jun 15, 2024 1:24 am
Jayhawker wrote: ↑Thu Jun 13, 2024 7:18 pm
I load 535 grain Postell bullets over 68.5 grains of FFg...
Do you cast those or buy them?
I bought 500 of them (pre-lubed) from Track of the Wolf.
The price was right and casting bullets bores me to tears...
It is akin to watching paint dry but useful at times.
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2024 1:24 am
by sakodude
Re: New assault rifle circa 1874
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2024 4:13 am
by Elk Creek
That could be fun!!!
