Ballistol
 

I use a lot of ballistol. It has been my go to cleaner/lubricant since i was frequently hunting in salt environments. I Always felt it neutralized the salt and protected the metal as it said, It never made the stock finish tacky or any other drawnback i could see. so maybe this is a dumb question but if it dissolves light rust, does it also dissolve blueing? Ive never used it on anything which wasnt pretty worn already and stood to gain more than loose.

I've used it to clean up a pair of twist barrels and did not notice any change other than removing light surface rust.

All of my guns have all the metal wiped down with it externally and I've never had any issues. Using it internally in the action and in the bores is another thing - it varnishes up and gets tacky and can gum up the chambers which causes shells to stick a bit when trying to remove them. It protects the chambers though. I've had a pump shotgun seize up on me from a shell sticking in the chamber too hard after the gun had been put away with the bore and chamber wiped down with Ballistol. You have to brush the chambers clean before you start shooting. In the bores it's not an issue as it just shoots out. In the internal workings the varnishing is generally not an issue at all; it actually protects the metal better because it does not run off the metal. You take the gun apart 5yrs after spraying it down with Ballistol and it will look just like it did when you last had it apart. I've never seen anything last and protect the innards better. I've never had it happen, but I can see it gumming up a Parker sear notch if the gun sat for too long, which could potentially cause a "hair trigger" or a sticky sear release.

I use it on all of my guns and rifles and have been for more than 15 years with no ill effects at all.... except that my wife found the smell offensive.





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Kathy would have divorced you if you used the old formula. By old, I mean the stuff sold back in the 60s and 70s. It was downright disgusting, and they used it a mosquito repellent in Africa.

:eek::rotf:





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I was given a can of Napier recently and that's pretty decent stuff too. Thinner than Balliston and I spray the action lightly and use a cheap lowes 1" paint brush cut back to about 1 inch to brush/scrub then wipe dry with a microfiber and q tips. Doesn't leave much of anything but lubricant and cleans well. I too love Ballistol but did also find it can get gummy if not removed from crevices.

Dean, are you sure Kathy wasn't catching some of the scent wafting off of a 3 week old dead woodcock that you forgot in your game pouch? Just asking. :whistle:

Mike, don't you age your woodcock? We hang them outside for 3 weeks in order for the breast meat to self tenderize, no cooking by then is required. Seve with hot mustard and enjoy

It's a great cover scent not a repellent.
I had a guy who worked for me years ago who used to use WD-40 as like ben gay.He'd spray some on his elbow or knee and rub hard.Which is why he always smelled you guessed it like WD-40.

I also have been using Ballistol for years as a Cleaner and to oil them up to prevent rusting ! I even use it on old leather cases to clean them ! The smell of it bothers me to the point that I wear a respirator and use it outside ! Never had any issues with it harming the bluing or finish !!

I ve never tried this stuff always used wd 40 all my guns are rust free and wood looks good too...charlie

The smell also bothers me, but its an involuntary reaction. Ive read that the effect isnt felt universally but its hard to imagine breathing that and not choking and wheezing.
It is possible the barrels i noticed the black on the rag were cold blued as well, I will stop worrying about it

That would have them cured just right for a pate! 🤣😂

Preserve, smells good and works good on all gun parts for me Gary

G 96 is better. and no bad smell. does not gum up like ED 40 . Does not harm wood finish,

After reading this post i pulled out my can and used it on a Winchester 97. What a great metal cleaner.

I will stick with Clenzoil.

I honestly think all modern multipurpose cleaners are good these days. I will admit I'm a solution junkie, I have more than I'll ever use. The ones, maybe in order, that get used are

Ballistol
Napier
Clenzoil
G96
Tetra

I don't use WD40 but have been known to use Mobil 1 for lubrication on hinge pins and all my 1911's : )

There's also an old benchrest shooter recipe called "Ed's Red". Easy to make and works the nutz!! Stan may have used this back in his benchrest days?

I have had good luck with Kriol. I wipe down the barrels and wood and have seen zero signs of ill effects. I also use Renaissance wax on all metal and wood twice a year. The wax will clean clean off light dirt and oxidation and it leaves a real nice protective layer that repels moisture and finger prints. But please note I live in one of the driest climates in the U.S. (Nevada) humidity is not really a factor here.

If the use of BALLISTOL risks marital discord, you might try MINK OIL LUBE -- for gun cleaning, loosening parts, and protection. (The product has nothing to do with the substance that comes in a plastic container you slather onto your shoes for waterproofing).

MINK OIL LUBE is reputed to be the go-to penetrant for the petroleum industry in the Gulf of Mexico “Oil Patch”, being unexcelled for loosening frozen, corroded, rusted bolts, nuts, and parts. I have seen it work in the marine environment, and my brother, who was in trucking, was stunned with how fast it loosened undercarriage bolts that had been subjected to New England's salted Winter roads.

Characteristics: Non-corrosive; non electrical conducting; smells good; not sold to the retail public, but only to businesses.

Aerosol 16-ounce cans only; minimum order is for one case which is one dozen cans.

I have conducted my own test on steel to determine if there is any element in the “recipe” that harms metal, and there appears to be none; rather it protects, and supposedly does not evaporate.

If you don’t like the anise fragrance of BALLISTOL, you could try MINK OIL LUBE, which has a pleasant smell.

What percentage of the product is constituted of mink oil I have no idea, but I find it interesting that some of the best lubricants are derived at least in part from fauna: fish oil (WD-40), whale oil, or as here, small mammals.

Source: Hill Manufacturing Company, Inc., 1500 Jonesboro Road, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30315

Telephone: 1-800-445-5123

:)I think you meant to spell arse not anise.:)

How long does a case last you Russell?

Aaron:

Hard to say, since I probably give as many cans away as I use; and doing that my first case has lasted me about ten years.

I just bought my second case.

:rotf::rotf::rotf: !!!!!