Any other heretics out there that oil their barrels?

[SDSmlf]

I've been cleaning guns for more years than I care to count and when I got into BP quite a few years ago I decided to lubricate with the same products and methods I've used successfully on many cartridge guns. I take care of my firearms and never had a spot of rust due to improper cleaning or storage. I read about Bore Butter and the kinds of concoctions used to protect the barrel but never understood why no one recommended a light coat of oil same as you put on the cartridge gun barrel after cleaning. I do remember reading that it was the worst thing to do because it fouls the powder and it won't ignite.

In the beginning, I use to run a clean patch through before shooing in case there was too much oil but have since even stopped doing that before shooting. In all this time, not one load has been oil-fouled and not one spot of rust in my BP longarms or handguns. I buy and use the same products for all my guns regardless of the type of powder that goes in them. The only products I added to my cleaning arsenal for BP are hot water and dish soap.

Are there any other BP cleaning heretics and barrel oilers in the forum?

I have found that no matter the type or brand of oil I use in a bore, I have no issues with it as long as I remove it before loading. Puddle up olive oil, bear oil, 3 In One Oil or whatever in the breech of a muzzleloader before loading and you will have ignition problems, not to mention the mess you will have to clean after shooting. There are many products out there that work well to protect your bore from corrosion, but will foul your powder if you leave it accumulate where it doesn’t need to be. I find that a flood of something like alcohol or lacquer thinner will dissolve and remove most.

 

[Greenjoytj]

EEZOX, Hoppe’s Elite, G96 CLP and current favourite is Lubegard Premium Universal Lubricant (Whale oil substitute based on Jojoba seed oil).

I‘ve created sludge with BP and non petroleum oils and greases (Emmerts).
The only problem with petroleum oil sludge is people use the wrong cleaner to try to remove it. Use a light petroleum based solvent like zippo lighter fuel or any brand of nitro powder solvent like Hoppe’s #9.

​

 

[Stykbow]

I believe if you have oil puddling in the barrel you’re using to much. A very light coat is all that’s needed, but heck you guys know that.

 

[sheriff john]

Rem Oil on everything that shoots.

 

[user 34300]

Petroleum products are not a problem, it is "urban myth". The superstitious aspects of the black powder community is something that I find amusing. Instead of passing on popular wisdom based on questionable ideas, why not test it for one's self? I have tested it, and never ever saw a hint of a problem. I have seen a lot of barrels ruined by poor cleaning practices though.

I suspect that the no petro idea got started because our ancestors did not have access to petroleum based oils and greases. So, they used animal fat. They also rotted the bores of their guns in short order. Freshing barrels was done often due to the rust. How many old ML guns have rotten bores? Most. I understand the HC aspirations of many shooters. That is great. I do draw the line and letting my rifle rust away to pay homage to be HC.

Store muzzle down to prevent oil pooling in the breech.

 

[Fly Navy]

Another user of 3 in 1 oil.

 

[necchi]

Are there any other BP cleaning heretics and barrel oilers in the forum?

Yup, I'm a barrel oiler,,
Everyone knows oil and BP residue don't mix.
It ain't rocket science to understand it's just as easy to remove oil from a barrel as it is to put it in.

 

[Carl in France]

Water has never been near any of my bp firearms. I clean and then oil with mineral oils, whatever is in the garage. No rust no issues. There are a lot of snake oil salesmen out there trying to convince people all the time they need 'firearm' specific products. Horsepoop!

 

[Paul Silbor]

I've been cleaning guns for more years than I care to count and when I got into BP quite a few years ago I decided to lubricate with the same products and methods I've used successfully on many cartridge guns. I take care of my firearms and never had a spot of rust due to improper cleaning or storage. I read about Bore Butter and the kinds of concoctions used to protect the barrel but never understood why no one recommended a light coat of oil same as you put on the cartridge gun barrel after cleaning. I do remember reading that it was the worst thing to do because it fouls the powder and it won't ignite.

In the beginning, I use to run a clean patch through before shooing in case there was too much oil but have since even stopped doing that before shooting. In all this time, not one load has been oil-fouled and not one spot of rust in my BP longarms or handguns. I buy and use the same products for all my guns regardless of the type of powder that goes in them. The only products I added to my cleaning arsenal for BP are hot water and dish soap.

Are there any other BP cleaning heretics and barrel oilers in the forum?

I use wd 40. I've never had any issues with rust or fowling.

 

[TexiKan]

Yeah, heresy for me, too. I will confess using, primarily, the stuff that precedes Bore Butter. I started using it when it became available and am one of the blasphemers who has a somewhat "seasoned barrel. Same gun used monthly since the early 1980's.

 

[earlwb]

I use hot soapy water and then plain hot water on my BP guns. I then dry and use WD40 first then followed with gun oil for longer term storage. So yeah I am a heretic in that sense too.

 

[Walkabout]

Ballistol and olive oil, no petrol on my guns.

 

[Notchy Bob]

I use LSA. I think that is a military acronym for “Lubricant, Small Arms.” Used to see it in little green squeeze bottles at all the surplus stores and gun shows but it’s hard to find now. I bought three quarts of it from Sarco a few years ago, and expect that will be a lifetime supply.

Someone above stated something to the effect that petroleum products don’t dissolve black powder residue, etc. I use a good black powder solvent followed by warm water and maybe some Dawn, then dry everything and apply the oil. You don’t use it for cleaning, but apply it after cleaning as a surface protectant. I always wipe the bore before the first shot to remove any oil, and pop a cap or two on percussion guns before loading to blow out the flash channel.

I tried Bore Butter as a surface protectant per manufacturer’s recommendations, but found it gets gummy and turns brown in a surprisingly short time. No major problems with it, but I like LSA better.

I’ve been doing this for quite a while with no rust or oil-related problems. LSA does not evaporate or oxidize. Guns that have been wiped with it, inside and out, are good for years in storage.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

 

[Kentuckyjed]

Bore butter and #10 cleaner," sometimes" I will spray oil on my lock and wipe it down. I always take a clean patch and swab my barrel before my first shot of the day. Bore butter is great slathered all over the gun then wiped down good, IMHO.

 

[John Spartan]

CLP (oil) both inside and out on my barrels with a dry patch punch prior to shooting. If I’m doing a lot of steady shooting with a certain gun then I switch the CLP for Ballistol in between sessions.
Been told (how true I don’t know) that Ballistol is no good “long term.” Don’t entirely buy it on inside-the-house storage but…

 

[Crockford]

I always spray my guns down with a silicone spray after cleaning. In the very humid South guns will rust over night. I have never had a problem.

 

[Joemolf]

Petroleum Oil + Burnt black power = sludge

Its a simple formula for those who do not want to swap between shots

NO OIL

I oil all mine now never an issue never sludge that can oil happen imo if you have a wet barrel. A wipe or two with a clean patch is all it takes before loading. No more rust either

 

[Pilgrim]

Me, I use oil as well. I use my guns for hunting, and they experience a lot of different weather exposure. I treat them accordingly.

 

[user 48702]

Hickok45: 1861 Parker Hale Enfield Musketoon quick clean-up using only Ballistol starts at about the 23:00 mark.
1861 Parker Hale Enfield Musketoon

 

[Walkingeagle]

I clean with warm water and dawn, dry and use G96 as a final oil both inside and out.
As stated in another thread of mine, just found Ballistol and have never tried it, so thought I would as a lot of folks on here seem to really like it. After 3 visits to the trail walk as a family, and using different guns each time, so far I’ve no complaints, but I believe it will still require an oil if stored for longer periods. Time will tell.
Walk