Ballistol question.

andyo5 · Mar 16, 2013

Does anybody use Ballistol for either gun cleaning or lubrication? Hickok45 on Youtube has been making a big deal about it lately. The manufacturer claims it dissolves powder fouling, lead, and copper; and is 'great' for lubrication and preserving wood grips as well.
I must admit to skepticism. I don't see a way for an oil to actually dissolve lead or copper, since they are both solids at room temperature. There are products that remove copper, but they work by turning it into a compound with another element like sulfur (copper sulfate). This is how Sweets works.
As for slathering it onto your wood grips, have you seen rifle stocks that have become oil-soaked over the years? The oil seeps into the fibers and weakens the wood so it won't support screws anymore.
I am currently trying it on a couple of my revolvers to see if it will actually remove stubborn lead deposits that I can't get out using Hoppe's No.9 and a brush.
So what do you think?

jonesy814 · Mar 16, 2013

A buddy of mine uses it for his Mosin Nagant. It was developed over 100 years ago and used by the German army in both world wars. It seems to work pretty good, but I will stick to Hoppes No. 9 or CLP.

slickracer · Mar 16, 2013

I've started using pretty much nothing but Ballistol. It seems to clean pretty good. I'm sure for really bad copper fouling something stronger would be necessary but I'm very happy with how it works. I like the fact that it is non-toxic.

Rule3 · Mar 16, 2013

Ballistol is pretty much just mineral oil. It is a good lube and can be used on wood and leather. As a solvent for carbon it is good.

For copper removal KG12 and M-Pro 7 are the only ones that remove copper.(tested and proven)

Ballistol is great for muzzle loaders and black powder guns, it is fine for general cleaning and it is non toxic.

Of course strong industrial strength ammonia works but it is a hazard and can etch metal.

oberon · Mar 16, 2013

I use it. I want a 5 gallon bucket of it. It is the stuff to use after the solvent work is done and you're puttin' things back together to put away. And it smells good.

KLNC · Mar 16, 2013

Use it--love it. Haven't used anything else since I discovered it.

RussellD · Mar 16, 2013

It works great. Try this. Go shoot you favorite revolver with cast bullet loads. Bring it home. Spray it down with Ballistol and place in a plastic bag overnight. Cleaning in the morning will be easy.

Harrison · Mar 16, 2013

Ballistol is a good lubricant and a good carbon remover, if you let it soak awhile. Chore Boy removes lead, and Butch's Bore Shine or Sweets are two favorites of the benchrest crowd for aggressively removing copper. Ballistol mixed with water 50/50 makes Moose Milk, which is great for cleaning muzzle loaders and/or BP cartridge rifles. I have heard Ballistol will also help arthritic joints. I use Ballistol on my BPCR rifles.

riverrat38 · Mar 16, 2013

Its interesting that some say that they like the smell, and others have said else ware, that they have to use it outdoors, due to the bad smell.

Best,
Rick

shawn mccarver · Mar 16, 2013

andyo5 said:
Does anybody use Ballistol for either gun cleaning or lubrication? Hickok45 on Youtube has been making a big deal about it lately. The manufacturer claims it dissolves powder fouling, lead, and copper; and is 'great' for lubrication and preserving wood grips as well.
I must admit to skepticism. I don't see a way for an oil to actually dissolve lead or copper, since they are both solids at room temperature. There are products that remove copper, but they work by turning it into a compound with another element like sulfur (copper sulfate). This is how Sweets works.
As for slathering it onto your wood grips, have you seen rifle stocks that have become oil-soaked over the years? The oil seeps into the fibers and weakens the wood so it won't support screws anymore.
I am currently trying it on a couple of my revolvers to see if it will actually remove stubborn lead deposits that I can't get out using Hoppe's No.9 and a brush.
So what do you think?

I still use Hoppes No 9 for solvent and Break Free CLP for lube (yeah, I know Break Free will do both jobs, but I am old and the smell of Hoppes No 9 brings good memories).

ArchAngelCD · Mar 17, 2013

I have not tried Ballistol so I can't comment on it but I can tell you a line of products which work very well, they are G96 products. I use almost nothing other than G96 Gun Treatment and when the bore needs additional attention I use G96 Bore Solvent. I am not connected with them I only like their products because they work very well.

Berserker · Mar 17, 2013

It was mentioned on here, that it eats at brass. I don't use it on guns I leave loaded.

J. R. WEEMS · Mar 17, 2013

jonesy814 said:
A buddy of mine uses it for his Mosin Nagant. It was developed over 100 years ago and used by the German army in both world wars. It seems to work pretty good, but I will stick to Hoppes No. 9 or CLP.

I would add "Sheath" to that list and be done with it.

andyo5 · Mar 17, 2013

riverrat38 said:
Its interesting that some say that they like the smell, and others have said else ware, that they have to use it outdoors, due to the bad smell.

Best,
Rick

I am one who does not like the smell. I used it yesterday afternoon and this morning, I still have that smell in my nostrils.

SMSgt · Mar 17, 2013

It's not meant for cleaning out boogers!

Treeman · Mar 17, 2013

The smell is oil of anise (which smells like licorice). I use Ballistol on a couple of my guns. Most get CLP or other "modern" lubricants. I really like ballistol on my leather goods. Neat stuff-yes it is "mostly mineral oil" but the formulation is quite unique since it emulsifies readily yet protects from corrosion, makes chemical changes in processed leather and wood and is an antiseptic and skin treatment!

Robert Palermo · Mar 18, 2013

My understanding of Ballistol is that its an ultra refined wax to the point its in liquid form. I can't say for sure but I have found it to be one of the great outstanding products to use for lubrication without the excessive buildup of other products. I use it on everything. My Dillon presses never worked as slick untill I cleaned off all the surfaces and coated them with Ballistol. I use it on a lot of the machinery here in the shop and I have coated guns extensivly with it and find it does an excellent job of protection. I buy this stuff by the case from the local distributor because its so good.

For a grease based product that has no equal I use Weapon Shield.

Rickkster · Mar 18, 2013

I mix it 50/50 with water and put it in a spray bottle to hose down whatever I shoot corrosive ammo in at the range before I head home. I don't remember where I read about that use for it, but it does work well that way. I also think it has an unpleasant smell. It seems worse when you mix it with water.

Cheers,

Rick

Rule3 · Mar 18, 2013

Rickkster said:
I mix it 50/50 with water and put it in a spray bottle to hose down whatever I shoot corrosive ammo in at the range before I head home. I don't remember where I read about that use for it, but it does work well that way. I also think it has an unpleasant smell. It seems worse when you mix it with water.

Cheers,

Rick

Ballistol gives instructions for doing that. It is slightly alkaline so it neutralizes acid or corrosive ammo. The black powder shooters love it for that reason.
What I like is that it never hardens or gums up and is non toxic. Since we were talking about it I ran a patch of it through all my guns at the range today and am letting them sit overnight, Shot all lead bullets with Bullseye so will see how easy they clean up tomorrow.

Frank237 · Mar 18, 2013

Discovered it in South Africa in 1998. Brought a can home and have used it ever since. I used it mainly in AK's after corrosive primed ammo. No need to do a thorough break down, simply douche it out with the 50/50 water mix. Worked GREAT for that.

I also renewed an old holster by spraying it with ballistol, softened it up , really worked great. Unfortunately I don't care for the smell.

They are at SHOT Show each year in a small booth in the Foreign manufacturers area. Last year, last day of the show they gave me 6 big cans of the aerosol, and a hundred of the packets of wipes. Made SHOT Show even sweeter.

Worth a try by anyone who shoots IMHO.

Ballistol question.

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