How many of you use Ballistol?

[andrewM]

Oh dear, I have never heard of it until now.

I have always used an oily rag, with 3 in 1, to wipe over the metal parts. What does Ballistol have/do that 3 in 1 does not?

Rgds
A

[Dan Giliballs]

I use it, good stuff, stinks to high heaven

[Mark A]

I have always used 3-in-1, which seems to work well as even my 20 year old Cometa 300 doesn't have a spec of rust on it. That said, I am very tempted to get some balistol, just to see what the scent fuss is all about.

For me the smell of furniture spray polish always brings back good memories of shooting as I bought a tin to polish the stock on my Cometa as I didn't really know any better at the time.

[The Squire]

I’ve always been a 3-in-1 fan mainly as I’ve always had it to hand, also the spray version cleans barrels nicely when applied generously to a pull through patch. I will add some Balistol to my next JSR order though now I’ve found it on there, as Tony says it’s not expensive.

[Dan Giliballs]

I’d gladly pay extra for it not to smell like a sweaty camels arsehole

[ashf9999]

I’ve always been a 3-in-1 fan mainly as I’ve always had it to hand, also the spray version cleans barrels nicely when applied generously to a pull through patch. I will add some Balistol to my next JSR order though now I’ve found it on there, as Tony says it’s not expensive.

I see JSR don’t have the spray can, but just the 50ml liquid in a handy hip flask, thus enabling a quick tipple as and when required.

I guess if you’re into 3-in-one then JSR not having the spray can is not a problem though.

[Nikkormat]

I find that a sherry glass full consumed on the porch, as the sun sets and the baboons lark about in the jacarandas,
keeps me regular.

Atb

Ah, I see you've got hold of some of this one: Ballistol Universal Schnapps

I've used the standard Ballistol for about 15 years on blueing and occasionally on triggers. No complaints. I've recently tried the stock oil; not sure what I was expecting, but it doesn't seem to have done much. On the other hand, not much needed doing; the stock looks pretty much as it did before.

[Gerry B]

I've used it for more than 50 years.

In SA , it was a general elixer, good for guns, leather.

Perfect for sun burn and mozzie bites .

Drink a few tablespoons of it when you have bad heart burn, your burps smell a little odd, but instant relief .

I still use it on all my air guns, and knives .

Every old Afrikaaner farmer had it , always handy .

[Geezer]

Oh dear, I have never heard of it until now.

I have always used an oily rag, with 3 in 1, to wipe over the metal parts. What does Ballistol have/do that 3 in 1 does not?

Rgds
A

It cleans, lubricates, and protects. And it is fine (actually excellent) on wood. Wood doesn’t like petroleum-based oil, but it does like the fish-based Ballistol. Except for a small number of specialist applications, it does almost everything well or very well.

[andrewM]

It cleans, lubricates, and protects. And it is fine (actually excellent) on wood. Wood doesn’t like petroleum-based oil, but it does like the fish-based Ballistol. Except for a small number of specialist applications, it does almost everything well or very well.

Thanks for that explanation. Could it be used to lubricate a leather washer in place, say, of neatsfoot compound?

Rgds
A

[richywilk]

Used it for years great for protecting metal work love the smell as well

[TonyL]

Thanks for that explanation. Could it be used to lubricate a leather washer in place, say, of neatsfoot compound?

Rgds
A

I was semi-wondering about that also, but guessing that it might diesel? I'll stick to the trusted neatsfoot for that particular application.

[Josie & John]

Thank you.

Yes, scent is such a strong sense and can get / keep those memories flooding back, John.

We also have a German Shepherd. But I bet my wife will complain about the strong odour, from what others have said, so doubt I'll get to try it on him.

Hi Tony,

Josie said she uses it to clean the dogs' ear folds and every now and then if their coats are looking dry. It's Ballistol for Animals that she uses and apparently it is good for keeping parasites away. Smells exactly the same as the gun oil!

John

[MattyBoy]

I’d gladly pay extra for it not to smell like a sweaty camels arsehole

I knew I'd smelt that odour before during my travels in Egypt!

[BigDuncs]

It cleans, lubricates, and protects. And it is fine (actually excellent) on wood. Wood doesn’t like petroleum-based oil, but it does like the fish-based Ballistol. Except for a small number of specialist applications, it does almost everything well or very well.

Bingo! The huge advantage over all other oils that I know about, and that are associated with rifles/shotguns, is that this stuff doesn't adversely affect wood. Mineral oils and wooden stocks don't go together. I've lost count of the number of rifles with black edges to wooden stocks I've seen due to mineral oil seepage onto the wood.

Never used it for lubrication though. Only for cleaning/preservation.