bear grease

[argie1891]

I have been reloading and shooting and casting bullets for front loaders and center fire arms for over 40 years. that said I would like to make some bullet lube from bear grease. now I understand that the bear doesn't offer up grease on a voluntary basis. what I would like is if someone who bags a bear would allow me to render out some fat to make bullet lube. if anyone can part with any or finds a bear who would donate a small amount to me I would appreciate some to use as lube. argie1891

[pd]

My eldest brother (much older than I) swears that our grandmother used to make the best sugar cookies with the bear grease that she rendered from black bears (that she shot).  My mother was mortified to hear my brother mention this, and she insists this never happened.  Rendering bear grease was a tell-tale sign of poverty in the hills, apparently.  I have never had bear grease sugar cookies, but I hear they are wonderful.

My grandmother lived to be 88 years old. 

[ROCKWHEELER]

A couple weaks ago I gave all my bear fat to my wife's friend she use's it for pies they are awesome.

[RadSav]

My eldest brother (much older than I) swears that our grandmother used to make the best sugar cookies with the bear grease that she rendered from black bears (that she shot).  My mother was mortified to hear my brother mention this, and she insists this never happened.  Rendering bear grease was a tell-tale sign of poverty in the hills, apparently.  I have never had bear grease sugar cookies, but I hear they are wonderful.

My grandmother lived to be 88 years old.

Depends on where you take the fat from.  The kidney fat is very delicate and perfect for pastries, especially pie crust.  Better than any Crisco I've ever seen!  But take it from the back and you will have the oiliest most nasty baked goods you have ever seen

As far as bullet lube...you looking for a grease or an oil?  I would think if you are looking for a grease you too will want the kidney fat and not the back fat.  But if you want a light slicker than synthetic snot oil...back fat would be pretty dang good I imagine. 

My great grandmother would render the back fat and keep it in the freezer.  She swore that when the lights went out it would keep a lamp burning brighter and longer than any petroleum or paraffin lamp oil you can buy at the store.  But she did swear a lot

[lokidog]

I rendered the back/butt fat from a bear many many years ago, none of it was like oil.     It was like crisco when it was rendered.  I used it for waterproofing boots.

I'd like to try the pastry thing though as lard makes much better pastry than crisco.

[jasnt]

Tag
I would love to hear how this works out

[RadSav]

I rendered the back/butt fat from a bear many many years ago, none of it was like oil.     It was like crisco when it was rendered.  I used it for waterproofing boots.

I'd like to try the pastry thing though as lard makes much better pastry than crisco.

Render back fat and kidney fat and then run both through your fingers.  You'll notice a difference in the color, weight and the texture.  You will also notice a huge difference in smell when rendering the two.  When you eat the two back fat leaves a definite after taste.  Kidney fat is so delicate nothing lingers other than your appetite and desire for more!

The other thing I notice between the two is that back fat before rendering takes on a smell of whatever the animal has been eating.  Not sure of it is in my mind or in reality, but I always think I can taste a little of how it smelled.  This is rarely the case with kidney fat.  I've had skunk cabbage bear that were completely inedible yet their kidney fat was just as clear and tasty as huckleberry bear.  I've never eaten or killed a bear that had been feeding on grain so I suppose that may change things, but I don't know.

The back fat I have rendered was almost semi transparent.  Similar to bacon if left out for a length of time.  Kidney fat seems to keep it's opaque snowy white look like Crisco.  In my experience if you leave rendered back fat out over night you can actually squeeze it and get drops of oil.  Rendered kidney fat you really have to work it to get anything resembling oil.  They are gas and diesel to me - Both useful but not interchangeable 

How that all works out for bullet lube I have no idea.  I've never been a muzzy guy and wouldn't know which would be better than the other for that application.  Though I would assume that kidney fat would be much less messy.

[RadSav]

My grandmother gave me a couple tips that has helped the rendering of kidney fat greatly;

Take the nodules and place them in the refrigerator uncovered on a wire cooling rack.  When the skin/membrane dries you can actually peal it from the fat.  This cuts down on smell and reduces the amount of solids you have to remove and keep from burning.  Anything turning brown during the rendering process makes the fat stronger and less desirable.

Her second tip was to cut the fat into small pieces before rendering and do small batches at a time instead of trying to get a whole bear into one pot.  This helps you control a nice even melt at lower temperature.  When I burn a batch, which I almost always do because I'm impatient or distracted, it doesn't hurt so bad to throw out a small batch instead of the whole dang thing!

[argie1891]

ok again I want some bear fat to use as bullet lube like the old timers. if anyone happens to have some they can spare after filling their tag I would be grateful. thanks again argie1891

[RadSav]

ok again I want some bear fat to use as bullet lube like the old timers. if anyone happens to have some they can spare after filling their tag I would be grateful. thanks again argie1891

Situation here kept us from getting to the bear spot but once.  And that did not go so well.  If you send me a PM I'll file your contact information and give you a call when the bear start hitting the ground next year.  We have quite a few plans for that next fall.

I'd think Bearpaw would be a good source though I assume too late for this year.  But spring will be here before you know it!

[lokidog]

I think I might have seen my old can of it the other day when looking for something else.  I'll try to remember to look later today.  It might be moldy or otherwise nasty though, so no guarantees.