Ballistol

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy, campers!

This past weekend at the NCOWS Eastern Regional [7-8 Oct, 05], Ollie (thanks, gal) opened the Mercantile for a short time.  They had a good price on the big cans of Ballistol.  I bought some to try.  I've been happily using Hoppes # 9 Plus  BP cleaner since I started C&B shooting in the early 70s.  The # 9 + has been replaced by Hoppes Elite (not totally sure of the name.)

I read the directions and have made a 60/40 mix of Ball./H2O for BP cleaning.  Am I on the right track?

Any tips are appreciated.

[Bull Schmitt]

As I recall the recommended ratio for a BP cleaner is 1 part Ballistol to 10 parts water. I always finish up with a dry patch or two and then a patch with straight Ballistol.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Yeah, that's the ratio I've heard.  The can's directions say a 1/1 ratio.  (I'll bet that sells a lot more Ballistol that way! )
The directions also say that you can add more water as desired.

So far, my only complaint is the smell!

[Advertising]

[Trap]

  You'll get used to that. Especially in your morning coffee.  jt

[Arcey]

So far, my only complaint is the smell!

Awww hell, that's the smell of shootin'!  That 'n the aroma of Holy Black.

I've been mixin' it five to one then followin' up like Bull said.  Goex, Pyrodex.  Works for me.

[Cuts Crooked]

  I've been happily makin up batches of my 7-1 "super juice" for several years now. (seven parts windex - one part Ballistol). Guess it's like a lot of things about BP...everyone gots em their own way of doin' thangs, none of em really wrong or right...it's jist wat werks!

[Paladin UK]

Been making my `Moosemilk` with a 6 parts water ta 1 part Ballistol

Kinda smells like cat pee!! But ya will get used to it!! (eventually!).

The main thing is that its Bloody Brill at removing BP residue. Just make some up   `n see what works fer you

Paladin (What`s jest `bout gettin used ta smell o` Ballistol ) UK

[Silver Creek Slim]

Ballistol is great stuff. My moosemilk is about 7:1.
BTW, I was cleaning guns on the living room floor, while watching a Western the other night. I had the bottle of moosemilk on the floor and my youngest girl, who is 3, said, "Moosemilk." Almost brought tears to this proud Papa's eyes. 

Slim

[Dick Dastardly]

Ho the fire,

I've seen Ballistol mixed with water (a colloidal suspension actually) anywhere from 1:1 on the thick end to 1:10 on the thin end.  The water does the work while the Ballistol helps emulsify the crud and leaves a slick lube/rust proofing behind.  The rust proofing isn't permanent, but it is very good.  For long term storage I like to wash everything out with 1:7 Moosemilk, blow it clean with compressed air and lubericate with straight Ballistol.

There are some very high end rust proofers out there, one developed by Boeing Aircraft.  I'm testing some of them, but so far good old Ballistol is doing very nicely.

The Germans developed the stuff before WWI and our armed forces bought it for a time, till we went to war with the maker. . . .  It's one of the few lubericants that works on wood, leather, gun metal, minor cuts and abrasions and makes a passable salad dressing.  Some like it on pancakes and a very few add it to their coffee. . . .

Mostly, I use it on my guns.  However, my wife found out how good the stuff is around the house and now we have lots of stuff that don't squeek no more.

DD-DLoS

[Bull Schmitt]

Real pards dedicated to the darkside will even use it as an after shave lotion!!!

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Thanks for the replys!

It still stinks and I doubt I'll ever use it as an after-shave/cologne!

[Arcey]

Steel Hoss, dude.

There'a a young lady whut hangs 'round this here town by the name ah Tricky Trina.  She's off with the Missouri Marshal shootin' Star City this weekend, but shoot 'er a PM 'n ask 'er whut she thinks Ballistol smells like.  Tell 'er I sent ya.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Real pards dedicated to the darkside will even use it as an after shave lotion!!!

What's after shave lotion? 

Slim(what's haven't shaved in o'er 13 years)

[Arcey]

In yer case, it'd be par-fume, Slim.

[Russ T Chambers]

From what I’ve read about Ballistol, it was also used as an antiseptic (though the FDA and other US medical outfits have not approved it), so it should help with those nasty nicks ‘n cuts that come after shavin’.

[Silver Creek Slim]

In yer case, it'd be par-fume, Slim.

Par-fume!

Slim

[Tommy tornado]

My dad said it always reminded him of the smell of baby diapers.

[Russ T Chambers]

My dad said it always reminded him of the smell of baby diapers.

Used or unused??   

[Steel Horse Bailey]

More like the USED variety, I'll wager!

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Steel Horse,
Jeff, I mix my ballistol 10 parts water to 1 part ballistol, works great, wipe afterwards (the bore ) with lightly oiled patch. Been doing it for years with no signs of rust. This mixure allows that can of Ballistol to go a long. long way......I'm not sure what the shelf life of the mixture is so I only mix it as I need it.

OCB