smoothshooter
50 Cal.
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Ballistol smells like old, sweaty gym socks.
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BALLISTOL a fair shake
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Clearly you have never smelled my old sweaty gym socks!
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Yes it has a smell. But it works. I have a smell and barely work anymore.
Not sure what that means really
Not sure what that means really
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Every time the subject of Ballistol comes up there is a contest to see who can post the most ridiculous reaction to the smell.
And I think about all the truly smelly stuff I have encountered in my life on the farm, in the woods and in the service and my first thought is, what wussies.
And I think about all the truly smelly stuff I have encountered in my life on the farm, in the woods and in the service and my first thought is, what wussies.
Could be a folk story but I heard Ballistol was invented when the Kaiser requested a clean all, lubricant and rust protective that his troops could carry in the field. It was for leather and metal. Anyone heard this "Teutonic Tale"? I use it and love it. The smell takes some getting used to but now it smells like a daisy to me!
flatcreek
40 Cal
Project Farm did a very good test on gun lubes and at best Ballistol was mid pack.
Mike in FL
50 Cal.
I don't intend to tell anyone how to clean their BP guns, but Dawn nor any other detergent aids in cleaning. Nor does hot water. Hot water merely helps in drying. But neither hurts anything.
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Dawn MAY help in cleaning if your using an oily patch lube
Tenring
45 Cal.
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I have two cans of it and have had them for a long time I am just not to crazy about it to be honest, I don’t know if it’s the consistency of it or the feeling it leaves on your hands or what. It does work and I am not putting it down because I know there are a lot of fan boys of the stuff I guess I might have to get use to it and give it the old college try. LOL..
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Hot water does speed the drying. But it also opens up the metal to allow better cleaning.
I do use ballistol and I do like it. It does clean well between shots.
I do use ballistol and I do like it. It does clean well between shots.
Then I guess the manly essence of Hoppes nr. 9 would cause you to go back to doll collecting?
Nope…. I actually don’t mind the smell of Hoppes so much. It has a unique smell, but not at all repulsive as I find Ballistol to be. Hoppes does indeed invoke a nostalgic feeling.
I just use it for rust metal protection.
There isn't moving parts and friction like the video. Muzzleloader.
As a cleaner.. I use the water and dawn.. windex. I don't know. The water works too.
I tried both blue windex and vinegar. I went with vinegar. I don't know what did better.
I spray windex down the barrel. Followed by hot soapy water. Following clean water. Then dry and oil.
I spray and wipe the gun down with windex. Clean the locks hammer etc with it.. then oil.
I clean the nipples with a windex soak. I spray it threw it. Pipe cleaner and nipple pick.
To be honest I think the water working and I'm over cleaning to begin with. But that's OK.
There isn't moving parts and friction like the video. Muzzleloader.
As a cleaner.. I use the water and dawn.. windex. I don't know. The water works too.
I tried both blue windex and vinegar. I went with vinegar. I don't know what did better.
I spray windex down the barrel. Followed by hot soapy water. Following clean water. Then dry and oil.
I spray and wipe the gun down with windex. Clean the locks hammer etc with it.. then oil.
I clean the nipples with a windex soak. I spray it threw it. Pipe cleaner and nipple pick.
To be honest I think the water working and I'm over cleaning to begin with. But that's OK.
It's easy to get carried away with the superlative advantages of one's favorite lube. All of their advantages are incremental over alternatives. They all are variations of basic hydrocarbons except spit. I have shelves full of various lubes, solvents, CLP's and penetrants but still lube the ferrules of my fishing rods on the side of my nose like my Dad showed me decades ago. I don't care for the smell of Break Free CLP or Ballistol, but use either if handy. If I were forced to reduce my vast inventory to just one Hoppe's #9 would prevail for its aroma.
Going by Project Farm's test results, it looks like Frog Lube and Clenzoil are about the top finishers. So the question then becomes how they perform when they combine with black powder combustion byproducts in a gun barrel. I'll admit I thought Ballistol would do better. I have used it for years.
flatcreek
40 Cal
I think as long as you do clean and lube your muzzleloader you going to do pretty well no matter what you use. It's when you don't clean it well or at all your going to have problems and Ballistol will do just fine.
Back in my prime breeding years I would put a dab behind each ear and go to town…
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I have used Ballistol since the 70's along with soap and water and Hoppes since the 60's (for smokeless firearms) as back then it was "word of mouth" as there wasn't an internet. I still use them along with a laundry list of the new improved gun care products. Just use what works for you.
