maybe dumb question,but what is ballistol?

[robert bw]

I here a lot about ballistol,is it an old military rust inhibitor?and where do you get it?it seems to be highly regarded can anyone enlighten me?

 

[SgtErv]

Ballistol is a "sportsmen's oil." Smells a bit like simple green. It's indeed been called a very useful substance; cleaning, rust preventative, and an ingredient in more than a few cleaning solutions and/or patch lubes.

Retailers like Track of the Wolf and Dixie Gun Works carry it. I got mine from TOTW, though I have only used it once because I can't stand the smell haha. It worked well for cleaning up some rust though!

 

[1860 Army]

I use it 10 parts water 1 part Ballistol to clean all my BP firearms. Then finish with 100% Ballistol as a lube and rust inhibitor.

 

[Zonie]

Supposedly it got its name from "Ballistic Oil". I don't know if that's true or not.

It's basically a mineral oil with some things to make it water soluble. The scent added also (IMO) makes it stink.

It was developed before WW I by the Germans to lubricate and clean their military rifles.

A lot of people on this site really like it and as SgtErv said, they use it for lots of things.

After reading about it here on the forum many years ago I decided I wanted to try it for rust prevention on my muzzleloaders.

To make a long story shorter, I live in an area where the humidity is usually under 30%. Often it's under 15%.
After using it to coat my freshly cleaned and dried rifles bores, the bores developed a light coating of rust.

That's the last time I've used it for anything.

Ever since then, I've used Birchwood Casey Barricade to protect my guns from rust and I use Stumpkillers Moose Juice as a patch lube.

 

[1860 Army]

Zonie, how long did it take for the rust to develop?
I live in a humid environment and so far I've had no rust problems using Ballistol.

 

[Onojutta]

I recently switched to ballistol mainly because it is compatible with wood. I use Breakfree CLP for my modern guns but since that is a petroleum product I wasn't sure that was good for the wood especially where it may end up between the barrel and stock on my longrifle. So far I have been happy with ballistol. For cleaning, nothing dissolves black powder residue better than water, but I use ballistol as a rust preventative for the barrel after cleaning, and the thing I like about it most is that you can also use it to wipe down the stock without worry. Leaves a nice sheen. Got mine from Amazon.

 

[Black Hand]

It is something that smells like a cross between rotting fish and stagnant black pond muck that some people use on guns....

 

[coloradoclyde]

What is it?

Well, it's a mixture of mineral oil (Which also makes a good substitute for whale oil)
Oleic acid (likely derived from beef tallow, Same stuff McDonalds puts in their French fries)
And several alcohol solvents.

They also put that crappy smell in it to ward of the flies.. :haha:
Then add some butane or propane to charge the aerosol can and VOILA! you have Ballistol... :grin:

 

[AZbpBurner]

I recently switched to ballistol mainly because it is compatible with wood. I use Breakfree CLP for my modern guns but since that is a petroleum product I wasn't sure that was good for the wood especially where it may end up between the barrel and stock on my longrifle. So far I have been happy with ballistol. For cleaning, nothing dissolves black powder residue better than water, but I use ballistol as a rust preventative for the barrel after cleaning, and the thing I like about it most is that you can also use it to wipe down the stock without worry. Leaves a nice sheen. Got mine from Amazon.

The mineral oil in Ballistol isn't anything you should be using on wood. For wood finishes a varnishing oil such as Linseed Oil, Tung Oil, Walnut or Teak oils are appropriate, but mineral oil is suitable for cutting boards and salad bowls, not gunstocks.

 

[coloradoclyde]

but mineral oil is suitable for cutting boards and salad bowls

So is linseed oil and Tung oil...

I agree, mineral oil = bad for gunstock...imo.

 

[Black Hand]

... but mineral oil is suitable for cutting boards and salad bowls...

And it should be food-grade mineral oil.

 

[rodwha]

I actually like the smell.

This is the first time I've read it not being good for wood. I'm out of town so can look at my cans but I thought they made the claim it could be used on wood and leather too, right? Why is it not good for wood?

 

[TFoley]

'zackly what I do. :thumbsup:

Great minds etc.............. :wink:

tac

 

[Calum]

'morning,

I'm with rodwha, in that I actually like the smell.

The pamphlet that I saw indicated it was good for metal, wood and leather. I've been using it for years to wipe down the stocks and slings after cleaning and have had no issues.

The pamphlet also indicated that it was food grade, although I've not tested that.

But get it in the liquid version, not the aerosol. It lasts longer.

Calum

 

[Archer 756]

:thumbsup: G96

 

[azmntman]

I dont "like" the smell but dont bother me like sun heated fish er nothin :idunno:

Course I eat anchovies :shocked2:

 

[Lorne Johnson]

Ballistol was developed for the German army right around 1900 for use on metal gun parts, oil finished stocks, and leather belts, bags, and slings. Thus, it is very versatile although there are surely products that do each of those things better. I find it especially handy around BP and use it all the time.

You wouldn't use it to finish a stock, but it is compatible with an oil finish or oil based varnish.

It smells toxic, but apparently is pretty non-toxic. I have heard that it is used in Germany for veterinary medicine (constipation in animals).

 

[Onojutta]

The mineral oil in Ballistol isn't anything you should be using on wood. For wood finishes a varnishing oil such as Linseed Oil, Tung Oil, Walnut or Teak oils are appropriate, but mineral oil is suitable for cutting boards and salad bowls, not gunstocks.

We're not talking about finishing oils here. No matter what you use as a cleaner or rust preventative for the barrel, getting some on the wood is unavoidable. I have heard that petroleum based products can soften wood if left in contact. That could be a problem between the barrel and stock if you don't remove the barrel frequently. Ballistol is safe for wood. If it is in fact a mineral oil as you suggested, and mineral oil is used to preserve cutting boards, then it wouldn't hurt a maple stock either.

The gun I use Ballistol on is finished with a linseed oil based product, and I have found that wiping the stock with a very light coating after cleaning enhances the finish.

By the way, I actually like the smell of it too. :hmm:

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Uhhhhh, the Germans invented it to clean the CORROSIVE primer residue (salts) out of their firearms. Any other use was jist a bonus!

 

[Rick Richard]

Same here.