RE: Finally found some Goex
I quit using pre lubed store bought patches a few years ago when I noticed that my groups had opened up...My patches had started burning through...
I went to the pillow ticking from WallMart as well...I believe that lubed patches can get weak over time...They evidently break down...
On the lube...Easy way, get some SnoSeal...The stuff used to water proof boots...I used it from about '77 until 2004 or so...Take that strip of ticking, lay it over a neswpaper, take a putty knife and spread the lube on both sides, roll up strip, put in microwave for 20-25 seconds on a paper towel or plate, nuke it...By heating it, the lube saturates the ticking, and the excess will run off...If you use a loadinng block then you simple cut in the block...I roll up about 18inches and guess where I carry....The PATCH box....
On the lube...Little harder...Melt bees wax, castor oil and Murphys Oil soap and make your one...I believe I use about 2 parts wax, 8 parts castor oil and one part Murphys...You can buy a pound of bees wax at Hobby Lobby for about 10 bucks, the castor oil can some from a health care store and can be the type that your rub on your skin, it's cheaper than the type used for medicine...I melt about 2oz bees wax in a pint jar which is in a hot bath...(Put a pot on the kitchen stove, add about an inch of water and put the jar with bees wax in)...Wait for the bees wax to melt, pour in the castor oil and Murphys, stir and let get hot enough to liquify...Remove and let cool...
The nice thing about making your own is you can have a "harder" lube for summer and a "looser" lube for winter...
On patches...If you don't want to cut at the muzzle, just cut in a square that fits the caliber...Square patches shoot just as accurately as round and it doesn't matter if they are too big as well...I used to use .45 patches in my .40 to squirrel hunt with, it's just not that critical...
Finally...When you go shoot...Retrieve your patches...If your groups are good, throw them away...If they aren't, look at the patches...Take a picture and I'll be able to help you see what's happening...With everything "right" your patches should be able to be used a 2nd time, I've actually done that...