Lubing the bolt?

[Josh11]

I was wondering what is a good lube to use for working the bolt. I was also wondering if anyone has ever used moly coating on the bolt. Do you think it would work?

 

[357Mag]

Josh -

Howdy !

This may end-up like asking the best method for barrel cleaning ?

My 2cents:
The biggest thing needing lube on a bolt oughta' bee the lug
approach ramps. You don't want these to gall, but again.... you don't need a whole bunch of bolt grease on the lug approaches; either.

Sinclair ( and others ) make a handy syringe that has a dinky sculpted tip, which can be used to apply said grease.

As for moly'in the bolt ( or other lube coating )..
Gee... how bad IS your bolt fit/ bolt sliding closing/ force ??

I wouldn't think you'd need much more on the bolt body, than a good quality ( gun ) oil .

There's 5 things you wanna make sure about you bolt' lube....
and the first 3 are " DON'T lube the sear.

And, don't fergit'.... lube has a tendency to attract dust/dirt.

You asked.

With regards,
357Mag

 

[1000yardstare]

Main two things I worry about are the locking lug bearing faces and the firing pin cocking cam at the rear of the bolt.

Best stuff I have found is Shooters Choice "All Weather Hi-Tech Grease". Red stuff that comes in a plastic syringe.

 

[ericskennard]

T&M bolt grease is wonderful. I don't think I would moly the bolt. I have found shooters that use moly grease in AR15s that the grease gets real thick in the cold weather. It has actually made triggers malfunction in the cold.

I also like Slip 2000 as it is a high pressure lube that is not effected by high tempuratures.

 

[cmillard]

i use mil-comm on all my weapons. this stuff is great!! i had a problem a couple years ago out coyote hunting one morning here in iowa. it was about -17 degrees without windchill. needless to say, my ar-15 froze up. i forgot to wipe off the break free. i tried powdered graphite after that for a time, but it's too messy. i then tried mil-comm. that stuff worked slick in sub zero temps and it helps any areas of friction glide nice. give them a call--they sent me a bunch of free stuff too!!

 

[spclark]

+1 on Mil-Comm TW-25B. I've used it for four or five years now since "discovering" it at the Nationals. A little goes a long way, doesn't attract dust & grit like some other products, the applicator closes with a twist.

http://www.mil-comm.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=5&category_id=5&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=65

 

[tenring]

A well known IBS shooter told me to use light dab of grease on each lug and at the cocking piece cam. He then sprays entire bolt with Ballistol. I have been doing this for years. Every time you clean the gun, run a locking lug mop into the action recesses.

 

[amamnn]

I've been following that same procedure for years using sinclair's bolt grease and Remington rem oil between the lugs and on the body of the bolt behind the cocking piece. The bolt action works a lot smoother after doing that. Also, when I am finished for the day I spray all lubed parts of the bolt thoroughly with brake parts cleaner. After 5 matches I disassemble the bolt and clean everything.

 

[GSPV]

Lucas Oil Red and Tacky EP grease. Just a smidgen on the back of the lugs and on the camming areas on the bolt handle and rear of the action body. I use Eezox on the bolt tube...light spay on a rag and wipe down the bolt.

I clean lug race ways and lockup with the Sinclair tool.

 

[Moderator]

I've been following that same procedure for years using sinclair's bolt grease and Remington rem oil between the lugs and on the body of the bolt behind the cocking piece. The bolt action works a lot smoother after doing that. Also, when I am finished for the day I spray all lubed parts of the bolt thoroughly with brake parts cleaner. After 5 matches I disassemble the bolt and clean everything.

Bolt grease = good
Rem Oil = Not so good.

Rem Oil is mostly kerosene and it will actually remove grease. It has very poor rust-proofing qualities. Keep in mind that Kerosene is commonly used as a solvent to remove lubricants. Grease the contact areas. Use a good dry lube like Eezox on other parts. Also be careful with the Brake Cleaner. Very toxic stuff.

 

[lukehalee]

Maybe I am the only person in the world that didn't know this but.....

After putting a little lube on the contact faces of the lugs, hold the trigger back when pushing the bolt in and turning it down. Then let go of the trigger and lift the handle a couple of times. That way you don't wipe off all of the lube before it gets where you want it.

Benchrest hall of famer told me that one.