Using Ballistol as a bore cleaner

[LRPV]

I had been using Ballistol on a patch to clean carbon residue off fired brass for awhile and it worked so well that I tried it in one of my barrels. It works really good but I've never read of anyone else using it for this purpose. Does anyone know of any detrimental effects of using it in a bore?

Jason

 

[Steve Blair]

Permanent damage to your sense of smell.

 

[LRPV]

Permanent damage to your sense of smell.

That's no joke.

I feel stupid asking if putting oil on steel is bad but I can't believe I've never heard of using it before especially as good as it works. New barrel on the way and hate to do it harm from ignorance. Dad had me using WD-40 on everything for years.

 

[Steve Blair]

Ballistol is vegetable oil based with some solvents. I use it to resize brass. It seems unlikely that it could harm steel. BTW, I also use it to clean bolt faces with no ill effects. Little rough on the nose, though.

 

[gmorganal]

I have been using Ballistol for several years as a lubricant on the body of my rifle bolts. It is unsurpassed for slicking up an action. I do know that you don't want it in your chamber because it is so slick that the expanding case cannot hold to the walls of the chamber and this causes excessive rearward thrust on the bolt face, resulting in a very stiff bolt lift. I believe Ballistol also contains anise oil.

 

[stubbicatt]

I believe Ballistol also contains anise anus oil.

There! Fixored it for you... ;D

 

[jonbearman]

I got a can in my basement I just bought and now I am afraid to open it.LOL

 

[jhord]

A few words of advice Jon, if you have the aerosol version, about 15 seconds after you spray something, you will be coughing. It's like time delay pepper spray or something, LOL. Spray and walk away. The liquid form isn't nearly as bad, but isn't nearly as handy either.

 

[Multitoes]

It kinda stinks but I don't think it as as bad as some other solvents.
Of course my sniffer is not what it used to be...

Ballistol is specifically mentioned in my RWS manual for cleaning an air rifle bore ; considering that I don't think it would be harmful to any steel.
I think it works very well as a cleaner.

 

[gmorganal]

Stubbicat, down my way we call it "Stinky Feet" I guess somebody thought the smell reminded them of dirty feet. I don't mind its odor at all. It's just not something you would search out to smell of.

 

[painless2]

Bailstol or"Ballistic Oil" was invented over a 100 years ago by Friedrich Wilhelm
Klever as a cleaning oil for the German military used on rifles, mortars, etc.
Is an excellent carbon remover.
Tom

 

[Barlow]

Works great in muzzle loaders. Barlow

 

[LHSmith]

I had been using Ballistol on a patch to clean carbon residue off fired brass for awhile and it worked so well that I tried it in one of my barrels.
Jason

Are you talking about brass that has been setting awhile with sooty necks? I always clean that soot off between matches or soon after firing since it only takes a wipe with a cloth to get them clean if you attack it early. I wouldn't say that the results you're seeing of wiping down brass with Ballistol is a good indicator for removing carbon, because Butches Bore Shine will remove that soot also if it has been on awhile, and we know that BBS alone will not prevent the carbon ring at the end of the chamber, which is where carbon build-up can be most troublesome.

 

[antitactical]

I know Clay Spencer uses it to clean rifle bores. He's the only person I know guarantee 1/4" @100yds with his hog rifles. If its good enough for him its good enough for me. I know its not harmful like other cleaners. Just funky smelling.

 

[LRPV]

LHsmith. Sometimes i get to my brass right after shooting sometimes I don't. I can't just wipe mine off easy with a cloth but with Ballistol on the patch it is pretty much a one twist operation. I was having problems getting a clean patch to ever come out of my bench rifle. I used a couple patches of Ballistol and then a few strokes with a bronze brush, applying ballistol to the brush as I went. Followed that with a couple more wet patches and then dry patches. Followed up with Butch's and get just a little blue, seemingly no carbon, (later verified it with a borescope) and done. I had been using KG1 and I still think it's good stuff but it eats up brushes and I think Ballistol is working better. Give it try, just remember to plug your nose. I can't even describe the smell, it's not bad really but it makes my stomach turn until I get used to it.
Jason

 

[LHSmith]

The proof that it's working will be if it prevents the carbon ring from forming over time. I really have no reason to try more bore cleaners (BTDT) as my regimen of BBS, bronze brush, and Iosso on a patch (at the end of an agg) has worked well for me as verified with a scope, and I believe it is possible to over-clean a barrel.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Its medical grade mineral.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Well, if hes still using it 10 years later its the stuff. Jasons done real well

 

[Dave M.]

Are you talking about brass that has been setting awhile with sooty necks? I always clean that soot off between matches or soon after firing since it only takes a wipe with a cloth to get them clean if you attack it early. I wouldn't say that the results you're seeing of wiping down brass with Ballistol is a good indicator for removing carbon, because Butches Bore Shine will remove that soot also if it has been on awhile, and we know that BBS alone will not prevent the carbon ring at the end of the chamber, which is where carbon build-up can be most troublesome.

Just use the crazy cloth after firing. Any soot is removed in a single pass.

 

[Dave M.]

Just use the crazy cloth after firing. Any soot is removed in a single pass.

Haha. 10 year old reply. Awesome.