I Know I've Asked This Before But..........

[glenhunter]

Please offer your best advice for oil to use after a hot soapy bath after firing my black powder musket! I have Baracade, Ballistol, Hopps, and Bore Butter. I just want to know which will offer me the best protection against rust after a wash and dry. Thank you all in advance once again.

gh

 

[johan_steele]

I'm cheap, I have used Ballistol, Rem oil, sewing machine oil etc. Oil is oil and a thin coating is all you need. Too much attracts dust n such.

 

[Patrick H]

The thing about firearm lubricants and protectants is that you will get as many opinions as there are people who are willing to respond. Some of these products are petroleum based and some are not. Most of them seem to work very well. I recommend you simply go with one product for a while and see how you like it. You can always switch.

Now, let me give you another answer that was quoted to me by a band instrument repairman when the parent of a band student asked him about the best method for cleaning out a saxophone. He said: "The method your kid will use."

So, there you have it. Probably not the answer you wanted, but an honest answer, nonetheless. Use the method you like to use, the one you are willing to use, and use it frequently. If you do that you will be fine, regardless of the specific product.

Now....sit back and watch the other opinions roll in!

Patrick

 

[lakertaker]

Bore butter!

 

[pamc153PA]

Please offer your best advice for oil to use after a hot soapy bath after firing my black powder musket! I have Baracade, Ballistol, Hopps, and Bore Butter. I just want to know which will offer me the best protection against rust after a wash and dry. Thank you all in advance once again.

gh

Oh, you mean a hot soapy bath for your black powder musket!

 

[Southron]

I started shooting black powder firearms in 1962. The BEST and CHEAPEST black powder solvent I have ever found is good, old HOT, SOAPY WATER! That is followed by clean HOT WATER. Then a thorough dry and an application of "Break Free."

With every other oil I have used, 3 in 1 Oil, Rem Oil, WD-40, and about 30 other oils, nothing works as good as "Break Free" which can be obtained from the Gun Counter at your local WalMart.

With all the other oils, IF I run a clean cotton patch down the bore a week or so after I have cleaned the arm, it will always come out with a bit of rust color on it. With Break Free, this doesn't happen-the patch comes out oily but CLEAN!

 

[tmh10]

I don't have a black powder gun but have used Hoppe's for ages in my other guns with good results. If I had a black powder gun I would have used it unless someone with a lot of years in black powder advised me not to.

 

[Southron]

The chemical composition of black powder fouling is vastly different from the chemical composition of smokeless powder fouling. Hoppes was designed SPECIFICALLY for smokeless powder fouling. Besides, I doubt Hoppes would work as good as hot, soapy water on black powder fouling. One thing for certain, Hoppes is much more expensive.

 

[johan_steele]

The reason Hoppes is so expensive is that it is dual purpose; it also works as a very appealing cologne...

 

[Craig L Barry]

I have always been told to avoid penetrating oils like WD-40, Ballistol, 3-in-1, etc for the bore. Hoppes # 9 is a product I like to use, but that's personal preference. It is expensive, but a bottle lasts a long time because you need very little to do the job. The quote from the instrument repairman is very much germane to this topic. The important thing is leave a thin coat of oil so that rust does not gain a foothold inside the barrel, no matter what the product.