The amount of old mix that's in with new mix is diluted a fair amount for me, as I share my mix with my lubrisizer. I probably use most of it up every so often, so doubt I have as much old mixed in as those who only pan lube.

Just curious...
Has anyone actually mixed up a batch of Harry Pope's old lube recipe, and then tested it against the modern offerings?

Fitz did indeed use Pope's formula, years ago he sent a few 33 Pope bullets he lubed with Pope's lube for me to look and to try.

JLouis

Folks,I did manage to collect all the components for Pope Lube. Have been using it for over 20 or maybe 30 years with no complaints. Have given away more than I have actually used. So have made I believe 3 Batches. I pan lube with it only, IN a double Boiler. I have been told by someone I trust that Pope Lube was primarily a Black Powder Lube. But I have used it with success with smokeless. Now here is the truth, I am primarily an Offhand enthusiast. Very little to no Bench shooting. What I feel is good shooting results are not the same as Bench shooting results. Bench is very specific and positive, where I may have a good day and feel this is a good load and this Rifle is a Tack Driver. This not always true. Some times the
next time out is not so good. But if I shoot the same Rifle 3 or 4 weekends in a row and get good results each time then even  a lucky Irishman like me cannot be that lucky. More on Pope Lube next post Regards, FITZ.

Pope Lube. Pope Lube is a low temperature product, if you follow Popes formulae. Most of those who I have given a quantity to have eventually got impatient and tried the shortcut. After pushing the Bullets out of the cake they push a new batch of Bullets into it and put the whole thing in an oven and re-heat it. WRONG! to much heat, Lube is burnt and it smells burnt and does not work well. When I first went to it I was shooting 30/1 Lead/Tin. after shooting the first Hoppes wet patch would come out with little shiny fines of lead, no streaks or big pcs. I then switched to 25/1 Lead/Tin and they disappeared. And I felt that my shooting results improved.
I have not felt that long term storage and or mixing old with new additions had any effect. I do store my batch in plastic butter cup quantities and store them in a vegetable storage in the fridge, not the current stuff I am using, that stays in the double boiler or in the last cake I pushed bullets out of with no refrigeration. Has never gone bad in any way. However Bullets pan lubed with Pope will grow a frosty something over any significant time period around the grease groove. I have tried shooting bullets in this condition and have not been able to define a bad or different result. Here again Offhand vs. Bench
results?? I shoot all my Rifles with what I call "Loose Ammo" same as the way the Navy shoots 5" X 38 Naval ammo. A loose projectile in the breech and a Loaded case in behind it. BANG!
This is not in my mind "Breech Seating" as I use no seating tool other than the loaded cartridge behind the bullet. Lazy mans way. Pope said and is quoted "The Least Effort You have
To Exert The Less work to Distract You"  More on this in next Post. Regards, FITZ.

John, when I first made Pope Lube I tried the Graphite Powder in the Lube Mix. It always settled out to the bottom. Then I found that Acheson Lube still made Oildag that held Graphite in suspension. I was able at that time to buy it in Pint can quantities. Ended up buying over time two cases of twelve for shooters in this area. Have heard recently they were bought by a German firm and now it is only offered in 55 Gallon quantities. Not sure of that. Check and see. Have also found that some of the OLD? stuff is available from Steam Train enthusiasts. Try them online. HTH Regards, FITZ.

Here's my story making your own bayberry wax:
* Pick the berries only when they have a white coating one them - it is the wax
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* In NJ, the Garden State Parkway boarders the marshes in South Jersey and has plenty of bay berry bushes
* In 2009, I found a section next to a service area - parked - and with my bucket went to pick 'perfect 'berries'
* The summer day was hot and humid. I was dressed with sandals - shorts and a T shirt
* Filled the bucket, close to 3 pounds and home to boil out my own wax
* The next morning my whole body was covered with red bite marks - Chiggers!. I had bites between my toes, on my feet and ankles - up my legs - in my crotch - in my genital area - on my chest and arms! The suffering was a bitch!
* For one pound of boiled berries, the yield is supposed to be in several ounces
* My 3 lbs yielded a couple of ounces - not happy
Found on the Internet, bayberry wax from Maine for 12 bucks a lb - ordered it and made some Pope Lube
"The following is Mr. Pope's own formula for bullet lubricant, and can be used with perfect confidence for lubricating any bullets that are cast:
Six ounces mutton tallow.
Four ounces bay wax.
Two ounces beeswax.
Two ounces steam cylinder oil.
170 grains (two heaping teaspoons full) of Acheson's graphite.
Melt the ingredients in a double boiler, and agitate while cooling to avoid precipitation.
If this lubricant proves too hard for use during cold weather, omit the bay wax, which will usually aid in tightening the groups. Also, a hard bullet will usually perform better with a soft lubricant, and a soft bullet will shoot more accurately with a hard lubricant.
Found it to be a satisfactory lube but still have tin can of it