Ater hearing so many good things about this product I thought that I would check it out and order a bottle. I went to the Ballistolusa website. I was very surprised by the following quote, 'Due to its ALKALINE character...'?! Has anyone had trouble with salt build up in their barrels? Or, rusting of any type? Thanks, Bud.
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Ballistol
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No, buy some, you won't regret it.
steelerzzz
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Some people complain about the smell...but I kinda like the smell of it!
I don't know about it's alkaline characteristics but after reading all of the wonderful things about Ballistol I bought a bottle to protect my rifle bores during storage.
They were all thoroughly cleaned and then a patch oiled with it was run up and down the bores several times.
Several months later each of these barrels showed a light coating of rust.
I will never use that product in any of my guns ever again.
Instead I went back to using Birchwood Casey Sheath which has been replaced by "Barricade".
It works great and using it has never given me a problem with black powder fouling.
They were all thoroughly cleaned and then a patch oiled with it was run up and down the bores several times.
Several months later each of these barrels showed a light coating of rust.
I will never use that product in any of my guns ever again.
Instead I went back to using Birchwood Casey Sheath which has been replaced by "Barricade".
It works great and using it has never given me a problem with black powder fouling.
Tom Compton
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Similar here, Zonie. However I prefer to use LPS3 for longer storage periods.
TC
TC
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Zonie said:
My finding too, I use Barricade too now.
Zonie, how many months?
I've been running a similar 'test' with Ballistol. Used it on several bores, some of which have not been used for about 4 months. So far I don't see a problem. I intend to let at least one bore go a full year.
I've been running a similar 'test' with Ballistol. Used it on several bores, some of which have not been used for about 4 months. So far I don't see a problem. I intend to let at least one bore go a full year.
Billnpatti
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Balistol is not intended for long storage protection. it is a gun oil, cleaner and patch lube. It is outstanding when used for its intended purposes. If you want long term storage protection, use something like Birchwood Casey Sheath. Folks make the same mistake with WD-40. It is not intended as a long term storage protectant. Actually, it is simply a water displacement product for which people have discovered other uses. The "WD" in WD-40 stands for water displacement.
When used for their intended purposes, these products work great but don't expect them to do something for which they are not intended. In the same way a mule will pull a plow all day and a cow will give good milk, you could use a cow to pull a plow and you could milk a mule but it is best if you use them the way they were intended.
Balistol is great stuff, I use it all the time as a patch lubricant and cleaner. I also mix it with melted bees wax to make a great bullet lubricant but for long storage, I use Birchwood Casey's Sheath.
I wanted to see the rest of the quote that you gave in regard to alkalinity but could not find the website that you gave. I searched the www.balistol.com website but they had no such quote there. I also looked at the Balisol MSDS but they made no mention of alkalinity. I would really like to read what was said with regard to any alkalinity of Balistol, would you please send me the exact site where you found that statement?
When used for their intended purposes, these products work great but don't expect them to do something for which they are not intended. In the same way a mule will pull a plow all day and a cow will give good milk, you could use a cow to pull a plow and you could milk a mule but it is best if you use them the way they were intended.
Balistol is great stuff, I use it all the time as a patch lubricant and cleaner. I also mix it with melted bees wax to make a great bullet lubricant but for long storage, I use Birchwood Casey's Sheath.
I wanted to see the rest of the quote that you gave in regard to alkalinity but could not find the website that you gave. I searched the www.balistol.com website but they had no such quote there. I also looked at the Balisol MSDS but they made no mention of alkalinity. I would really like to read what was said with regard to any alkalinity of Balistol, would you please send me the exact site where you found that statement?
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Ken Rummer
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My experience is similar to Zonies. WD40 has been the one I use for rust protection but I have to wash it out with alcohol.
Zonies remark that Barracade does not cause BP fouling is of interest. Does that mean I can skip the alcohol wash and shoot with Barricade in the bore?
Zonies remark that Barracade does not cause BP fouling is of interest. Does that mean I can skip the alcohol wash and shoot with Barricade in the bore?
Ken Rummer
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I have found that Ballistol, though not a good preservative, does get my bore cleaner than soap and water alone.
After normal soap & water cleanup when the patches look clean I dry the bore and then run a sloppy wet Ballistol patch down the bore. It always comes out very dirty. I think the Ballistol acts like penetrating oil and lifts additional crud off the bore surface. Two or three wet Ballistol patches and no more dirt.
This adds some extra steps but the idea is to get out all the crud so corrosion does not start between the crud and the steel.
After normal soap & water cleanup when the patches look clean I dry the bore and then run a sloppy wet Ballistol patch down the bore. It always comes out very dirty. I think the Ballistol acts like penetrating oil and lifts additional crud off the bore surface. Two or three wet Ballistol patches and no more dirt.
This adds some extra steps but the idea is to get out all the crud so corrosion does not start between the crud and the steel.
I have used nothing but Ballistol in my ML rifle bores for the past 8+ years & have had nothing but wonderful results with it. I use the Non-Aerosol in the bores & the Aerosol on the locks.
Great stuff......... If used properly...
Also a Great wife repellant..... You hear her heading you way to the gun room, just grab a can & spray it at the doorway, it will immediately repell her & she will leave you alone !! :grin: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:
Great stuff......... If used properly...
Also a Great wife repellant..... You hear her heading you way to the gun room, just grab a can & spray it at the doorway, it will immediately repell her & she will leave you alone !! :grin: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:
mykeal
I didn't keep a real close track of the amount of time between oiling the bores and checking them but I think it was about 3 months.
Just as a reference, the humidity in my house here in Phoenix is about 35-40 percent. Not very damp but not as dry as it is outside.
KV Rummer
As for wiping the bore when Sheath or Barricade is used I haven't found it necessary.
Both of these products are extremely thin oils which seem to dry after a day or so.
The only time I've seen petroleum oils cause problems with black powder is when they are still wet. Motor oils stay "wet" for a very long time and if they or a similar petroleum oil is used it must be cleaned out before loading and shooting.
I didn't keep a real close track of the amount of time between oiling the bores and checking them but I think it was about 3 months.
Just as a reference, the humidity in my house here in Phoenix is about 35-40 percent. Not very damp but not as dry as it is outside.
KV Rummer
As for wiping the bore when Sheath or Barricade is used I haven't found it necessary.
Both of these products are extremely thin oils which seem to dry after a day or so.
The only time I've seen petroleum oils cause problems with black powder is when they are still wet. Motor oils stay "wet" for a very long time and if they or a similar petroleum oil is used it must be cleaned out before loading and shooting.
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My experience with Ballistol has been excellent! Although my flintlocks shoot so well with Wonder Lube I stick with it as a patch lube, for cleaning, exterior and bore protection, I've been using Ballistol for over 4 years now. Today I went to the range with the .54 which I haven't shot since 12/28/08. Probably did a quick bore wipe 4 months or so ago. First cleaning patch run down the barrel prior to loading came out snow white 
This is typical of my experience with Ballistol.
Although I live in high humidity SE Fla, the house is air-conditioned. And bore is always cleaned with flush kit using 1 part straight Ballistol to 4 parts bottled water, thoroughly dried, then swab 4 patches aerosol or straight Ballistol plus "twirl" Ballistol patch against breech face.
This is typical of my experience with Ballistol. Although I live in high humidity SE Fla, the house is air-conditioned. And bore is always cleaned with flush kit using 1 part straight Ballistol to 4 parts bottled water, thoroughly dried, then swab 4 patches aerosol or straight Ballistol plus "twirl" Ballistol patch against breech face.
I think the advertising hype is just so far out that nothing could live up to it. I bought two bottles and while it is OK it is no better than a dozen other products. Contrary to the claim, I find it does in time dry to a sticky crust. Ballistol is really just over priced mineral oil.
CoyoteJoe said:
Uhhhhh, that would be like calling a diamond just really over priced carbon ... :surrender:
I myself, use the best of the 2 viewpoints as stated above in this entire post. I clean & lube with Ballistol, but when storing for longer periods, I use the Barricade/Sheath by Birchwood Casey. For ultra-long-term storage, you cannot beat RIG grease.
I never used Ballistol as a lube. I only used it for cleaning. I did try to swab the barrel with it after cleaning and I got the same result as Zonie. A lite coat of rust after a week in my safe. After that I use only for cleaning, which it does great.
Now I use just any regular type gun oil in the barrel and run an alcohol patch through it before I load up at the range.
Now I use just any regular type gun oil in the barrel and run an alcohol patch through it before I load up at the range.
Well, for me:
A ballistol/water mix for lubing at the range. Put some on a sponge in a box and just press the patches on. Same mix and procedure later for cleaning. Better than those water-orgies.
After cleaning that way - one patch with WD40 down the bore. :wink: Serves me well since quite a while. :thumbsup:
Ballistol is an astounding product. Quite old now. Quite a few old german hunting guns deserve there life Ballistol - and the owner that dug the guns in after WWII. :wink: :haha:
Besides that there are quite many things having nothing to do weapons where Ballistol can be used with good results.
It can be used to lube kitchen machines as it is non-toxic.
And there is even a medical use for it. :wink: A version of Ballistol is also produced under more sterile conditions to match the regulations. And is used then for surgery-tools or can help directly on the body.
Many hunters here, my Dad too, sprayed it (normal Ballistol back then) on the inside of dog´s ears. Some dogs got problems there sometimes as some of you may know.
And if you´ve been so unlucky to catch athlete's foot from whereever - Ballistol helps. :grin:
A ballistol/water mix for lubing at the range. Put some on a sponge in a box and just press the patches on. Same mix and procedure later for cleaning. Better than those water-orgies.
After cleaning that way - one patch with WD40 down the bore. :wink: Serves me well since quite a while. :thumbsup:
Ballistol is an astounding product. Quite old now. Quite a few old german hunting guns deserve there life Ballistol - and the owner that dug the guns in after WWII. :wink: :haha:
Besides that there are quite many things having nothing to do weapons where Ballistol can be used with good results.
It can be used to lube kitchen machines as it is non-toxic.
And there is even a medical use for it. :wink: A version of Ballistol is also produced under more sterile conditions to match the regulations. And is used then for surgery-tools or can help directly on the body.
Many hunters here, my Dad too, sprayed it (normal Ballistol back then) on the inside of dog´s ears. Some dogs got problems there sometimes as some of you may know.
And if you´ve been so unlucky to catch athlete's foot from whereever - Ballistol helps. :grin:
