Olive Oil as lube

[Dusty Morningwood]

SO, what's the benefit of olive oil?  How much, what kind and how to apply?  Thinking.

[Will Dearborn]

It's packed with anti-oxidants and is good for your heart.  But I don't think that's what you're asking.



I think it's the fact that it doesn't break down under heat, react with any other chemicals, and can be pretty much used even at a Greenpeace rally.

*shrug*

Long days and pleasant nights,
Will

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

You don't want to use any petroleum based products with BP, it creates hard fouling and binds the guns quickly
I use it religiously! I buy the cheapest Olive oil I can find but read the label you do not want it mixed with anything at all. I buy little bottles so I can stick them in my shooting box.

I only use Olive oil and Bore Butter. I use the BB over the balls, and the olive oil in the innards, arbors/cylinder pins and everywhere else except the grips. It doesn't create a sticky hard fouling with BP. I soak the innards,( screws, hammer, hand, bolt, trigger, Mainspring, Rammer screw,

After I clean the gun I use olive oil liberally on the whole bbl, inside and outside,  frame, gripstraps, cylinder(chambers with a Qtip barely moistened with Olive Oil in the chambers (not dripping) Just enough to coat, then I wipe clean.I wipe the whole gun down.  I reassemble the gun and put in in a gun case(zippered one like from Cabela's) I remove the gun when I want to load, wipe it down again. I do snap caps before loading to remove any Olive oil residue that may be present near the nipple area of the chambers.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Fellas, olive oil is next to worthless for stopping rust. Want proof? Go here:

http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/corrosion/corrosion2.html


All I use now is pretty much Lehigh Valley Patch Lube, the best per many independent tests and per my own experiences. It smells great, is non-toxic and bests everything for anti-corrosion. No, I don't own stock in the company. 

[Cimarron Lawman]

I'm surprised that Ballistol performed so well. I've read that it's water based. Heck, maybe I'll use it on my smokeless '75 in lieu of Break-Free. 

[Fox Creek Kid]

Ballistol is made from coal.

[Sundance]

Yep, use it much the same as Halfway Creek Charlie on my BP'S.  Also use it on my Lee Enfield .303 stock and butt then rub in melted beeswax gives a good waterproof finish and protects the wood.  Much easier than linseed oil...

[Dusty Morningwood]

Ballistol is made from coal.

Great!  Now at least I know I will get some Ballistol in my stocking at Christmas!

[Oregon Bill]

Wow! Great Web site on the corrosion tests. I love Ballistol.

[Adirondack Jack]

Olive oil ain't the greatest for long term storage, but to lube the innards of a gun I like it a lot.

I use it with BP, subs and smokeless to oil the guts of the rifles, pistols and shotgun, and it works well.  Olive oil never dries, so even with the heat of the day, or of firing, it stays wet in the guns and if used liberally in a levergun or pistol action, fouling tends to float off.

I've gone to hot water cleanup followed by a goodly slobbering of olive oil and had no issues.  best of all it don't smell bad, so it's kitchen friendly, even when momma's home.