Another Wild Question

[TomK]

I've read that petroleum products and black powder are NOT friends. I've read that so much I've begun to believe it. Having been raised at Parris Island by Marine Drill Instructors I have fear and loathing for rust or crud on a firearm. My question is; for prevention of rust and lubrication of moving parts in a BP revolver, would a good grade of olive oil work? How about castor oil? I've read castor oil was used in World War One aircraft engines as a lubricant, which makes me think it would do well in high temperature, high stress conditions---like lubing the moving parts of an 1860 Colt replica and protecting it from corrosion. Am I full of slightly-used horse-feed thinking that way? What recommended products are out there that you experienced BP shooters use?
The Colt goes with us on fishing trips as a snake gun so it gets exposed to the elements and when it gets put in its case I do want a light coat of oil protecting it.
Thanks mucho--TomK

 

[Third_Rail]

First of all, welcome to THR!

Now, on to the questions. Basically, when people talk about petroleum products being bad in regards to BP firearms, they mean in terms of use as a bore lubricant or patch lube, not as a rust preventative. When blackpowder fouling gets mixed with petroleum products, it gets a lot nastier to remove; this is what people mean by problems. As to using oil for a rust preventative, I use Breakfree CLP with good sucess.

I hope this helps.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Tom, I have used bore butter on internal parts and it works shot term will shooting. But I have found that plain old 3-1 oils, gun oils, grease, and lately I dug up a bottle of "LSA" that I use on the cylinder pin/arbor keeps on tickin'. Olive oil(any veg oils)mixed with parafin and beeswaxs, I use bowl wax toilet seal ring. Cooled and cut out 1/8" thick to .44 or .36 cal lube pills under the ball works great for keeping bore pretty clean and fouling soft...lets me shoot Colts all day just like I shoot the Rems:O)