Ballistol, non petrol

[WhiteShark]

How do you feel about ballistol as a lube, solvent and rust protector? Supposedly it's non-petrol-based and biodegradable as well. I have had good luck out of it so far, but I want to know your guys thoughts on it and maybe comparing it to other lubes and protectants like hoppes. Hickok45 seems to love it.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I just do not like the smell of Ballistol, it does not agree with me.

But here is a comprehensive lube test
http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667

 

[wlkjr]

I also don't care for the smell, but I like the results. That's really all that matters.

 

[Jim Watson]

Supposedly it's non-petrol-based

If you are supposing that, you are wrong.
Ballistol is "mineral oil" which wiki describes as "Most often, mineral oil is a liquid by-product of the distillation of petroleum".

It has additives to make it emulsifiable with water. The resulting "moose milk" is a good solvent for chlorate ("corrosive") primer residue with little worry about the water rusting your gun. That seems to have been the thinking of the German army in 1905.

I think the smell is intentional so it will be immediately obvious to the sergeant that you have cleaned your rifle.

 

[Goju]

I've used Ballistol for 15 years. While marketed as a CLP product, it's only real strength is as a cleaner - specifically for carbon. It does little or nothing for copper removal. The odor of the product is very unique, one which I don't mind at all. But some users find it objectionable. IMO, the idea of expecting one product serving 3 functions competantly is one I don't buy into. Unless there are logistiical reasons for limiting your resources (deployed, etc), there are plenty of products that perform 1 or 2 functions excellently. And finding 2 or 3 products that work well for your shooting needs will serve your firearms better than using a single product.

I think I've used nearly everything on the market......my go-to products are
Gunzilla or M Pro 7 are far better general cleaners
Bore Tech Eliminator if you need serious copper cleaning
Slip products for lubrication
Eezox for protection, with CorrosionX as a back up

 

[Rule3]

It's actually very good for rust prevention. A good lube also. It never gums up. It is non toxic. Not the best solvent other than for black powder.

Baby oil is mineral oil and it also is used as a laxative.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I did a unscientific rust test with steel washers and several gun oils and other lubes. The Ballistol washer was one of the first ones to rust.

 

[WhiteShark]

If you are supposing that, you are wrong.
Ballistol is "mineral oil" which wiki describes as "Most often, mineral oil is a liquid by-product of the distillation of petroleum".

It has additives to make it emulsifiable with water. The resulting "moose milk" is a good solvent for chlorate ("corrosive") primer residue with little worry about the water rusting your gun. That seems to have been the thinking of the German army in 1905.

I think the smell is intentional so it will be immediately obvious to the sergeant that you have cleaned your rifle.

Learn something new everyday.

 

[Thundercat]

I read that comprehensive lube/rust preventative article. Pretty cool read. Hornadys one shot did well, as did frog lube. I thought hornadys one shot was for reloading though, not rust prevention. Are people using one shot as a rust protector?

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

.I get great results from Breakfree CLP. My guns do not rust. They are easy to clean. I have no crusty stuff in the action that does not just wipe off, even with direct impingement or blowback actions. My most often used guns are 30 years old with "fragile" finishes, they do not rust. Once the frost melts in the AM both myself and my weapons are wet. I am not going to fix what is not broken.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I read that comprehensive lube/rust preventative article. Pretty cool read. Hornadys one shot did well, as did frog lube. I thought hornadys one shot was for reloading though, not rust prevention. Are people using one shot as a rust protector?

Hornady makes a One Shot Gun Cleaner/Dry Lube. I would guess that is what was used in the test you looked at.

I tested One Shot Case Lube in my rust test. It provided nearly no protection. The One Shot Case Lube washer was one of the first to rust.

 

[W.E.G.]

Smells like off-brand licorice sold in a head shop.

Nauseating.

Seems to be most popular in the northeast US.
Maybe they wear a lot of smells there that covers or alters the perceived odor.

 

[medic15al]

I use and love Ballistol because I shoot SAA clone guns with real Holy Black gunpowder evil and it will not let rust set in nor gum up like a petroleum oil will do in them.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Date...

I had to check the topic date because I wasn't sure when the member first posted it.
If you are thinking of buying or using Ballistol, have at it.
I've used Ballistol off & on since about 1997 with great results.
In the late 1990s, I used a big can of Ballistol to clean/lube my cousin's old Remington 1100 12ga. It had rust, grit & crud all over it.
Some "elbow grease" & Ballistol got the 12ga back to LNIB condition, .
It was like some late night TV infomercial.

One of the few -s with the product is its now only sold-marketed in smaller spray cans in the US.

A newer CLP a lot like Ballistol is Froglube. It's not cheap but like Ballistol, it's safe, non toxic, CFC free, easy to use. I've used FrogLube since 05/2014 with + results. I use the liquid format. Some gun owners & gunsmiths suggest heating the metal for best results but Im satisfied with just using the regular CLP.
www.FrogLube.com