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Thread: Ballistol?

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy Hi-Speed's Avatar
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    Ballistol?

    Anyone have luck with Ballistol as a bore cleaner with cast bullets?

  2. #2
    Boolit Master trails4u's Avatar
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    It's the only one I use.
    "Do not follow where the path might lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" Ralph Waldo Emerson

  3. #3
    Boolit Bub
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    I use it. I spray it down the barrel and let it soak a couple minutes than run a brush and some patches through it.

    I don't know if/how it works on leading, though. I haven't had any to speak of yet.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master


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    I've used it, can't complain. ED's RED works better.
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    Happiness is a Warm GUN & more ammo to shoot in it.

    My Experience and My Opinion, are just that, Mine.

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  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    works for me.

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy Hi-Speed's Avatar
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    Ed’s Red (Ed Harris) he worked at Ruger. I grew up not far from Ruger’s plant in Southport, CT. CT was the center of firearms at one time...sad how things change.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Walks View Post
    I've used it, can't complain. ED's RED works better.
    Yes. And I have found ER pulls lead out of the barrel fairly well.
    It takes a really tight patch to get it out.
    I used to use ER and then shoot the next time with out removing ER. I would get leading again. Now after a good cleaning with ER I dry the barrel and patch it with Ballistol, which is easier than my bullet lube on a patch.
    I think the barrel steel coated with ER was pulling lead.... off my bullets too.

    The new system finishing up with Ballistol works well. A little of the correct lube in a freshly cleaned barrel might prevent galling.
    Chill Wills

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    I use it on everything... rusty tools, bullet lube stuf, fixin wax, hmmmm bore cleaner, fish bait... hunting cover scent, stiff joints, cooking oil...

    Really good stuff though..
    Any technology not understood, can seem like Magic!!!

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  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy Hi-Speed's Avatar
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    Germans used it to even treat minor wounds.

  10. #10
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    I use it, a lot.
    It is the only wet lubrucant I will use on a lock as it never gums up.
    The original CLP

  11. #11
    Boolit Master

    lefty o's Avatar
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    make sure to put ear plugs in your nose first, to bypass the month old dirty sock smell. LOL

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    Wish I could find a source for here up in Canada, i've been absorbing the mythos of it for years. I'm stuck with G96 for now.

  13. #13
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    Attachment 237572

    I have a shelf full of oils, greases, cleaners, solvents.......
    But these four will get the job done.

    Kroil for cleaning the bore after shooting cast bullets.
    Good old Hoppes #9 for cleaning the bore after using jacketed bullets
    Clenzoil is an excellent all-around cleaner/lubricant
    and RIG for long term storage of ferrous metals.

    You could round out that selection with a little tube of lithium grease for sliding surfaces under load such as sears.

    Lead fouling isn't dissolved, it is removed by mechanical means. A penetrating oil like Kroil helps to unlock the lead from the surface it is stuck on (like the grooves in the bore). I've also had good luck with turpentine.

    Copper fouling can be dissolved and this is where one of the ammonia based solvents are helpful. There are many available but good old Hoppes#9 still works.

    Clenzoil is kind of a regional thing but I've found it to be one of the best CLP's out there. If I was restricted to just ONE product for firearm's care, it would be Clenzoil.

    I'm old school and RIG has never let me down. If you need to store something for a long time - RIG is the way to go.

    There have been times in my life when plain old ATF was my gun oil and it works just fine. It's no longer my go-to gun oil but I know I could use it in a pinch and it will work just fine.

    And Ballistol is a good product but I use it on some wood and leather items. As a bore cleaner with cast, it will work but I still prefer Kroil.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master WRideout's Avatar
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    I have found ballistol to be excellent for cleaning black powder fouling from my in-line muzzle loader.

    Wayne
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  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I use a lot of Ballistol here. Ive even taken to using it as a cutting oil for light machining drilling and tapping. When It came out it was the do all solvent of the day

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master


    stubshaft's Avatar
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    I use Ballistol to oil the bore after cleaning. I use Kroil and a bristle brush with a wrap of bronze wool to clean the barrel.
    Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway!

    Men who don't understand women fall into two categories: bachelors and husbands!

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    Anyone try 50/50 acetone/ATF mix, it's supposed to be better than Kroil

    Haven't got any leading to try it on yet (I size all my barrels before sizing the boolits and I PC/HiTek everything [knock on wood])

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy Hi-Speed's Avatar
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    I’m reluctant to use acetone, too toxic...but whatever works for you, I’ll never criticize.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master kywoodwrkr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WRideout View Post
    I have found ballistol to be excellent for cleaning black powder fouling from my in-line muzzle loader.

    Wayne
    Ballistol was developed for BP weapons as I understand it.
    Specifically German military weapons end of 19th century beginning of 20th.
    It was only thing I could find which allowed cleaning of items which were smoked in a house fire.
    ie. Black plastic based smoke-you have to experience it to understand how obstinate the 'smoke' is.
    YMMV
    Thanks.

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy cas's Avatar
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    I love Ballistol, but I'm pretty sure the Germans were trying to invent tear gas or something when they accidentally came up with it.
    Former cylindersmith.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check