I just read that Ballistol...

[SimmerinLightning]

... is mineral-oil-based. Isn't that a big no-no? Mineral oil is a petroleum byproduct, if I understand correctly. I believe alot of older gun oils are mostly mineral oil. What the dealie?

On a side note, I have always pronounced it "ball-IST-ol" like "ballistic" but apparently it is "BALListol" with the first syllable rhyming with "pal".

[Fingers McGee]

I've always pronounced it Baal-iss-tawl.

It's not a big no-no.  Here is the straight skinny

http://www.ballistol.com/uses/firearm-cleaning-lubricant/

[River City John]

Mineral oil does not necessarily mean petroleum. Cod liver oil is a mineral oil. Sperm oil is another type of mineral oil.

It is non-toxic, so that tells you something.



RCJ

[wildman1]

... is mineral-oil-based. Isn't that a big no-no? Mineral oil is a petroleum byproduct, if I understand correctly. I believe alot of older gun oils are mostly mineral oil. What the dealie?

On a side note, I have always pronounced it "ball-IST-ol" like "ballistic" but apparently it is "BALListol" with the first syllable rhyming with "pal".

I'm thinkin yer readin too much or not enough. Seriously, if you read something by one person you can take it with a grain of salt. If ten people tell you the same thing you may start to believe it as long as there are no dissenters. If people are in disagreement then you have to start doing yer own research and find the FACTS not just what you have read "somewhere". wM1
PS: it don't matter how ya pronounce it but it makes a difference if ya know how ta use it.

[Abilene]

...Cod liver oil is a mineral oil. Sperm oil is another type of mineral oil....

You sure about that?

[mehavey]

If you believe the Britannica, mineral oil is a
petroleum by-product of gasoline production. 

(So much for the theory that Bore Butter is mineral
oil-based.  Back to the Olive Oil opinion there, I am.)


As to Ballistol (according to 2002 specs):
- pharmaceutical white oil: CAS RN 8042-47-5  (pharmaceutical-grade mineral oil)
- Oleic acid: CAS RN 112-80-1 (animal/vegetable fat/used is making soap*)
- C-5 alcohols: CAS RN 78-83-1; CAS RN 137-32-6; CAS RN 100-51-6
- Different essential oils to perfume
http://www.baileysonline.com/msds_sheets/PDFs/ballistol.PDF

So now I don't know what to think (especially as Ballistol does mix w/ water because of its *soap additive)
BTW: You can make cutting oil by mixing motor oil/dish soap/water at 1/1/16

[SimmerinLightning]

I'm thinkin yer readin too much or not enough. Seriously, if you read something by one person you can take it with a grain of salt. If ten people tell you the same thing you may start to believe it as long as there are no dissenters. If people are in disagreement then you have to start doing yer own research and find the FACTS not just what you have read "somewhere". wM1
PS: it don't matter how ya pronounce it but it makes a difference if ya know how ta use it.

I read it on the MSDS sheet published by Ballistol. I certainly expect that to be accurate.

If you believe the Britannica, mineral oil is a
petroleum by-product of gasoline production. 

(So much for the theory that Bore Butter is mineral
oil-based.  Back to the Olive Oil opinion there, I am.)


As to Ballistol (according to 2002 specs):
- pharmaceutical white oil: CAS RN 8042-47-5  (pharmaceutical-grade mineral oil)
- Oleic acid: CAS RN 112-80-1 (animal/vegetable fat/used is making soap*)
- C-5 alcohols: CAS RN 78-83-1; CAS RN 137-32-6; CAS RN 100-51-6
- Different essential oils to perfume
http://www.baileysonline.com/msds_sheets/PDFs/ballistol.PDF

So now I don't know what to think (especially as Ballistol does mix w/ water because of its *soap additive)

That is something I can't seem to get straight. Most sources say mineral oil is insoluble, some say kinda sorta soluble, and a few say completely soluble. I'm not a chemist, so idunno. Plenty of people use it and appparently have been for decades, so it must work. I am just surprised to hear the main ingredient is the same substance found in countless other products that are not considered very good for use with black powder. In any event I haven't seen it anywhere around here and I have other stuff that is working so far.

[wildman1]

I was referin to the part where you say it is a big NO-NO. It works fine with BP. Same as parifin. Works fine in a mix with other things as a BP lube. wM1

[SimmerinLightning]

I was referin to the part where you say it is a big NO-NO. It works fine with BP. Same as parifin. Works fine in a mix with other things as a BP lube. wM1

Oh, yes, I see. Yes, I have been under the impression that anything of petroleum derivation does not interact well with black powder residue.

[mehavey]

Mineral Oil, per se, is insoluble.
Mineral Oil with soap, can emulsify/mix with water.
(Hence Ballistol using the oleic acid soap ingredient)

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Oh, yes, I see. Yes, I have been under the impression that anything of petroleum derivation does not interact well with black powder residue.

Like a bad joke; You have to avoid the dirty cracks!

P.S: I just added the Ballistol MSDS to The Dark Arts.

P.P.S; I wasn't supposed to do that! Cuts kicked it's @&& back out into the Den. 

[Dick Dastardly]

You shooters use what you please.  I'll continue to use Ballsistol mixed with water and straight up for lubing and cleaning.  I've found anything better.

DD-MDA

[Crow Choker]

Prior to 2007 I have used a variety of solutions geared to cleaning black powder firearms. All worked, never had a 'rusty barrel'. In '07 a friend told me about Ballistol and I "ain't" looked back. Not only like the smell (as I do Hoppe's #9), but have never had rusty parts or innards on any of my firearms, never have had squeaky or gummed up innards, and have cleaned any and all residue from all parts and holes in all my black powder (and smokeless) firearms since the day I started using ballistol. I do use other oils at times for lubrication, but do use Ballistol at times esp when lubricating cap and ball innards that need it when not dismantling the interior parts of the gun for a total cleaning.
As it is advertised, Ballistol works good on leather and wood also. I use it for wiping down all my firearms prior to storage. I just use a large piece of white flannel I buy at fabric shops and add enough Ballistol to the fabric so when wiping the metal of the gun it takes away any and all 'nasty's that could cause corrosion. Haven't had any surface rust of any guns yet. Some of my firearms sit for long periods before use and no rust anywhere.
The Germans developed the stuff back in 1904 for their military and used it till 1945. They still may, I don't know. The Germans developed many break through products during the war years of WW1-2. A lot of weapons and technology they developed we still use today or is a direct by-product of their work.  The only thing the Germans couldn't figure out is their political life and the protection of human freedom and morality. They did get Ballistol right though, other solutions may clean, but they don't lubricate and preserve as Ballistol does. Good product and as Dick D posted in his post, I'm gonna keep right on using it too, I've found nothing better.   

[Dick Dastardly]

FWIW,  Ballistol mixed with water at a 1 to 10 ratio is called Moosemilk.  Moosemilk looks like milk.  It is a colloidal suspension, much as milk is.  Thus the milky look.  Ballistol does not make a solution in the true sense of the word but it does suspend in water in a uniform mixture.

In my pistol spa (Wal Mart poly container with lid) filled with enough Moosemilk to drown my pistols I find that over time there gets to be a scum/skin on top.  I just mix it back in and it works fine.  I change the pistol spa Moosemilk once a year and just top it up as needed.

DD-MDA

[Freedom]

That's the stinkinest, nastiest, crap ever made!!  It does nothing that napa cutting oil  and water won't do with zero stank! Add just a little rubbing alcohol and you have a perfect solution ...and no nasty after-taste.  

[Dick Dastardly]

I enjoy the aroma of Ballistol.  Use it as aftershave lotion.  Never tried it on my oatmeal though.

DD-MDA

[PJ Hardtack]

That's the stinkinest, nastiest, crap ever made!!  It does nothing that napa cutting oil  and water won't do with zero stank! Add just a little rubbing alcohol and you have a perfect solution ...and no nasty after-taste.  

Best description of the odour of Ballistol I read on this forum: "Smells like the puck in the trough of a truck stop urinal."

[Dick Dastardly]

The fragrance of cleanliness.  The aroma of care.  Put some behind your ear to attract the women in your life.  Nothing cleans, lubricates and protects as well.  Long live Ballistol.

DD-MDA

[PJ Hardtack]

In my pistol spa (Wal Mart poly container with lid) filled with enough Moosemilk to drown my pistols I find that over time there gets to be a scum/skin on top.  I just mix it back in and it works fine.  I change the pistol spa Moosemilk once a year and just top it up as needed.

Are you saying that you dunk your revolvers in said "spa"?

[Dick Dastardly]

Yup PJ, I dunk 'em in the spa while I clean my long guns.  When I pull 'em out I pull a boresnake thru and blow out the innards with compressed air.  Presto pronto, they're ready to rest in my gun safe, clean as a whistle.

DD-MDA