After a couple frustrating years of not getting consistently good accuracy with my black powder or duplex loads during the hot dry summer months here in the Arizona desert, I've decided give up on blow tubing and shooting dirty and go back to wiping the bore between shots for my two .32-40 rifles. 
For those black powder target shooters among us, is there anyone who can recommend a good water soluble lubricant that I can use to mix with water for damp wiping patches?
Thanks in advance for any help offered.

My second single shot rifle was a 45-70 Shiloh Business Rifle with a LONG throat/leade.  I worked up my best load using the NEI 349C bullet with a 'scraper' groove that I filled with lube (SPG).  Using Goex ctg powder I could regularly shoot sub 2" 200 yd 5 shot groups off the bench using an MVA tang sight.  I really regret selling that rifle.  I remember winning the 300yd match at Tacoma where sitting using cross sticks was the only position allowed and you had to have one hand on the sticks.  I shot a 97 3X to beat the best shooter at that time by one x. I used a blow tube exclusively.
That was the only rifle I had besides a trapdoor so I got very good at shooting it.

Chris,
I have 2 38-55 High Walls and a 40-65 high wall.  All originals with newer barrels.  My goal is together them shooting like that.  I just have too many rifles that I want to shoot!

10% water soluble oil and 90% Volvo a antifreeze mixed 50/50 with water 1 damp snug fitting felt patch. Works well in all temperatures and distances to 1200yards+.



Tom Klinger

Wes,
You are the only guy that really enjoys offhand shooting.  Us old farts need to shoot bench.  As I get older I may have to mount a sight on the butt end of my BP rifles and shoot from a back rest position.  I just need to get a hospital bed into the back of my pickup.
In the interim, I will shoot my 38-55 and possibly my 40-65 at the range next Thursday and post the targets.

Jack

Did I say minute of angle?  I meant to say minute of anvil.  My bad.

I don't mean to imply that these rifles will shoot minute of angle all the time, but they will on a good day.  In the old days, when black powder or duplex shooting was the norm, some pretty excellent targets were put up.  Since smokeless is without a doubt better, anyone serious about accuracy has generally switched to it.  I've read of two  different accounts of black powder 250's scored in modern times.  Both with Shiloh Sharps rifles but not at a match I believe.  They were reported in either the Black Powder Cartridge News or The Single Shot Exchange, I don't remember which.  I think if more people put serious effort into it, you'd see some impressive results.  Not as good as smokeless, but better than what most people believe is possible with black powder.

Chris.

Wes,
Your BP offhand can shoot 1 MOA if it is this species.