bolt lube - Ballistol!!!

[queen_stick]

Was at the range this evening, and was getting pretty angry with how 'sticky' the bolt was sliding in the action. I've tried countless products, and nothing really seemed to get the bolt as slick as I felt it should be. (this is after a couple of years of playing with different bolt lubes, sold by many different manufacturers).

Well, When i got home I tried a couple of things, that I found online, to see how they would work. Motor oil, ATF, Olive oil... all ok, but messy... Spent A LOT of time cleaning the action and bolt after attempting these options. That made me more angry! I then decide to CLEAN the bolt with Ballistol (simply because it's a great cleaner, and was sitting on my bench.) After it was clean, I realized that the stuff is lubricant as well (it's what I use for resizing lube), so I put a SLIM coat of on the bolt and installed it in the action... WOW! Finally, I found a bolt lube that is crazy cheap, and I already have it on hand. My bolt has NEVER been this slick before!

Anyway, just wanted to share my findings, and hope that this info may help someone...

Walt

 

[queen_stick]

forgot to add... Ballistol is one of my least favorite smells in the entire f'ing universe... It's just awful. lol!

 

[Hoier]

I use just white lithium grease out of an aerosol can. I just spray it on a paper towel and wipe it one with my finger.

 

[rayjay]

One of the smallbore shooters at our club gave me a bottle of "AMU" lube for use on the bolt. It's a mix that supposedly the Army Marksmanship Unit came up with. ATF, STP and other stuff. It's slick !

 

[730waters]

Try Brownells " Action Lube Plus " paste, it doesn't gum up and in cold weather the paste will never freeze and your bolt always slides easily. I have been using it for about 10 years on everything from my bolt actions to my semi action goose guns.

 

[queen_stick]

One of the smallbore shooters at our club gave me a bottle of "AMU" lube for use on the bolt. It's a mix that supposedly the Army Marksmanship Unit came up with. ATF, STP and other stuff. It's slick !

that's right... I've heard claims that some products sold as 'bolt lube' or 'action lube' are simply mixes of ATF, STP, and other similar viscosity fluids. Heard a rumor about one bolt lube that it was simply dyed olive oil. I have no proof of that, so I won't throw brand names around. However, it makes sense, because there are millions of dollars in research into STP, ATF, and the like... they're still in use today because they work! They're great for reducing drag in metal-on-metal applications.

With that said... I'll stick with Ballistol now that I know about it.
In my opinion, it feels more slick than the ATF or 0w motor oil that I tried, and it's less messy. Also, Ballistol is a great cleaner... it's kind of a self-cleaning setup in that case. Wipe it off when your done at the range, apply more ballistol at the next range session, repeat. it's that easy (at least that's how I think it's going to work) I just figured this out 20 minutes ago. lol!

 

[queen_stick]

Try Brownells " Action Lube Plus " paste, it doesn't gum up and in cold weather the paste will never freeze and your bolt always slides easily. I have been using it for about 10 years on everything from my bolt actions to my semi action goose guns.

good point about freezing.
I have no idea how Ballistol would do at sub-freezing temps. That's a big deal...

Edit:
found this statement on the ballistol website:
"Ballistol will protect door locks against freezing during the cold season. It can also be used to defrost door locks that are already frozen"

Didn't find any actual numbers, but if it's still liquid at 0 degrees F and higher, then I'll be ok in late winter hunting season. Only one way to find out...

 

[Judd]

I too don't like the smell...it's awful.

I found that "slicker than owl s**t" aka STOS lube made by Ponsness Warren is an awesome bolt lube. Best I have found so far.

 

[queen_stick]

I too don't like the smell...it's awful....

I really is... like black licorice mixed with a can of smashed a-holes. It's almost a traumatic experience. lol!

The only good thing about the smell... it goes away fairly quick.
About 30 mins after application, you no longer have the feeling that your face is buried in a can of smashed a-holes.

Some people claim that after you use it for a while, all you'll smell is black licorice, and you actually start to like it. Just like most guys like the smell of hoppes, but to people who have never been around guns, they think hoppes smells terrible. I don't know that I agree with that! I like the smell of hoppes... ballistol, not so much. I don't see myself getting used to it. lol!

 

[nosualc]

like black licorice mixed with a can of smashed a-holes.

Evocative. They should put that on the can.

-nosualc

 

[XTR]

I discovered that Imperial Sizing Wax works great! Since there is always a can on the loading bench it's not hard to find.

Don't know how it will work in the winter, but then I don't shoot comps in the winter.

 

[jhord]

I'm a big fan of Ballistol, haven't discovered all of it's uses yet but I'm trying. I keep my pistols clean/protected with it, AR-15 bolt lube, etc. It's great case lube but you have to use it very sparingly. The smell is something else! About 15 seconds after you spray it on, it seems to "cook off" and it will take your breath away, LOL.

 

[GSPV]

If you want to prevent corrosion, use Eezox.

http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

For bolt lube, I keep my bolt *and* raceway clean and use a drop of a light machine oil.

 

[22BRGUY]

Got up this morning and read this post.....Started out my day with a couple of good belly laughs....Really liked the "smashed ***holes" Thanks you guys.

Has anyone ever used silicone grease?

 

[BoydAllen]

Any number of things will work for lubing bolts. I have not had a problem in this area. On the Ballistol, I bought a can some time back, and after trying it once, and becoming familiar with the smell I promptly gave it away, since I had gotten along pretty well to that point without it, and the smell was rather unpleasant. One of the components of smooth bolt operation is a properly lubed cocking cam, I lube mine with grease every time that I clean the barrel, along with applying a thin film to the back of the locking lugs. If the bolt is a little too dry, I use the tip of my finger to apply a very thin coat to the body of the bolt...almost none. and then wipe it off with the same finger. leaving a very light residue.

 

[Bob3700]

Had some "Frog Lube" available because I use it on my pistols.

Works great as a bolt lube.

Bob

 

[GSPV]

I got some Ballistol the other day to use for light-duty case lube when my Hornady One Shot is gone. You are quickly talking me out of it with the description of the smell.

 

[rayjay]

I use Ballistol for cleaning my 22s and I don't notice the smell. I do use a small plastic bottle and I wonder if the smell dissipates through the plastic ??

Kroil on the other hand stinks so bad I will never use it. I should take my can to the range and give it to somebody.

 

[queen_stick]

I got some Ballistol the other day to use for light-duty case lube when my Hornady One Shot is gone. You are quickly talking me out of it with the description of the smell.

It's what I use for sizing lube, and it works great.

It's easy to use way too much in this application. It takes very little to go along way.

What I did, and what I would recommend, is to get a new RCBS lube pad, and soak it with Ballistol. Once it's soaked in, it will last a very long time. I've been using the pad for about 1.5years now, and have not had to reapply ballistol yet. (although it's about due)

edit - "soak" may be the wrong term to use here... if the pad was saturated, that would be way to much. I just poured a small puddle on the middle of the pad, spread it around with my fingers, and then let that sit over night... it will 'soak into the pad. That's all i did, and it worked very well for hundreds (probably thousands) of cases.

edit again - back to the smell lol! The stuff stinks, but it dissipates quickly. The RCBS pad I use for sizing only smells like ballistol if you jam your face into it. Last I checked, there's no reason to smell a case lube pad, so...

 

[Judd]

I got some Ballistol the other day to use for light-duty case lube when my Hornady One Shot is gone. You are quickly talking me out of it with the description of the smell.

One Shot smells like roses compared to the smashed azzholes (that was FUNNY btw). Seriously, go buy more One Shot.