I use Crisco shortening still when shooting my black powder revolver as a cylinder sealer. Other then that I no longer use it for conicals. The trouble I found with Crisco was in hot weather it would start to melt and actally work back into the powder charge. Also if you were on the range shooting a lot and the barrel got hot, you could tell the Crisco was breaking down. When you cleaned the rifle you would notice small chunks of black soot in the barrel. That was the accumulation of Crisco and black powder. Most of it got shot out the end of the barrel, but if some made it back there, I wanted nothing more to do with it,

Now in a case where the Crisco is mixed with canning wax I am sure that would help solve the melting problem. I personally use a mix of bees wax, castor oil, and murphy's oil soap.

Slowpoke - As for the .69 caliber mold.. I think it was a Lyman. They make a lot of molds for the older muskets and military rifles. The .69 caliber was a common older musket. You have a .570 mold? Which company made that mold, and how is the ball quality. I have been buying ball for my .58 caliber because I am too lazy to just do it.

I recently bought a custom mold for my White rifle that makes a 445 grain conical, and I ordered a .504 sizer, and I have the press, plus I want to get a .501 mold and reduce some of them and see how they shoot in my CVA, Traditions, Knights, etc...

nchawkeye,
those are fine looking flinters!
Read about Bob Watts years ago in Foxfire 5.

Cayugad, that .570 is just a plain old Lyman. I gave my neighbor 65 bucks for it and the handles. I have been getting pretty good results out of it if I do my part and have it warmed up and clean.Still, they arent as nice as swagedballs, but noone around here has anything but pre packaged .50 sabot loads and powerbelts laying around. I had to start pouring my own.I never got good results with straight crisco for the same reason you gave, plus myOld Army Rugerwould blast out the lube in the two cylinders next to the fired one. The heat and blast were too much for straight criscoe.I am pretty lazy and went with bore butter for quite a while, but it has gotten too high and it really isnt as stiff as I like. I find that actual lard and beeswax work about the best, you just vary the mix for personal preference. I have never tried Murpheys or neetsfoot oil in the mix.
We had discussed the .69 minnies once. I had good luck with paper patched foster type slugs out of my 12 ga. and you suggested the minnies.Sure wish someone would find me a dozen of em to try.

I just wanted to do this cuz apparently Underclocked cant post here.

I will keep my eyes open for some .69 caliber minnies and if I can get some for you, I will let you know.

That would be very kind of you Cayugad, but, I really wouldnt want to put you to the trouble and expense of shipping lead. Let me know if you find some and Illfoot the bill. I found some round ball.69 at old western scrounger awhile back, they were old Navy arms castings and were cheap. It cost almost as much to ship em as to buy them. Really poor castings though, they have to be trimmed and the sprue markdefinitely has to go up when loading.With and lubed ox bow wad and a pillow tick wad though, they shoot pretty well. I am getting softball sized groups at about 30 yards. Not exactly MOA shooting but well within minute of deer.

pillow tick patch,not wad.... duhhh