I was wondering what the best oil or lubrication to use for the barrel when storing it for long periods of time? I was told that I should use grease so the inside of the barrel will not rust over time. I plan on shooting these rifles when I have the time but I would like to know how to store them properly when the time comes.
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Lubricating barrel for storage
- Thread starter Thumb
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If it is going to be a month or more I do use greese. I use carb cleaner after patching out all I can and I get good ignition. One thing that I find that helps in going back after three or four days and oil or grease the barrel again. Geo. T.
ohio ramrod
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I use the old standby G.I. gun oil or "three in one" oil . Then before shooting I was it out with a few alcohol soaked patches. :idunno:
Little Wattsy
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ohio ramrod said:
I may have plagerized this from old Ohio R here but this is EXACTLY what I do and it has served me quit well.
Do you have modern guns?
What do you use with those?
Gun Oil.
The only trick with the ML's is that they be clean and dry (because we use water for cleaning)
and;
Petroleum oils don't mix well with burning powder.
The key is to remove all traces, of said gun oil or other petroleum storage oils before you shoot the next time.
A simple matter really, just take the time to do it, :wink:
What do you use with those?
A good bet for storage of guns is kinda simple.Thumb said:
Gun Oil.
The only trick with the ML's is that they be clean and dry (because we use water for cleaning)
and;
Petroleum oils don't mix well with burning powder.
The key is to remove all traces, of said gun oil or other petroleum storage oils before you shoot the next time.
A simple matter really, just take the time to do it, :wink:
Yes, I have all sorts of modern guns and use "gun oil" :grin:
Only reason I was asking about the ML was because of a few things
1. They use Black Powder
2. You clean them with water. Who would have thunk that?
3. They are old so maybe the material is not as good
4. I was told to use grease which is something new to me.
Only reason I was asking about the ML was because of a few things
1. They use Black Powder
2. You clean them with water. Who would have thunk that?
3. They are old so maybe the material is not as good
4. I was told to use grease which is something new to me.
Billnpatti
Cannon
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I find that Birchwood-Casey's Barricade works for me. Some of my muzzleloading rifles may not get shot for over a year at a time. Barricade keeps them rust-free. I find grease unnecessary and a messy thing to clean up when I am ready to shoot one of my rifles. Barricade is easily removed with 2 or 3 patches moistened with cigarette lighter fluid or charcoal lighter fluid and then followed with a couple dry patches.
I use 3 in 1.
Hoppes 9 Lubricating Oil is a favorite of mine for locks an triggers an such, and for storage on a typical basis.
If I'm putting something away for the season it's LPS II.
You'll see and hear all kinds of "Hoodoo" and "Mojo" an olde secret ways an methods associated with Black Powder rifles.
The truth is, they get really dirty-really fast and because of that, they require attentive cleaning.
They need plenty of water(with a little soap) to rinse away the salts and hygroscopic fouling of the powder and caps. Then the metals need to be dryed well, then the bare clean metal needs to be protected from the environment,,(oil),, and a good oil that'll stick.
If I'm putting something away for the season it's LPS II.
You'll see and hear all kinds of "Hoodoo" and "Mojo" an olde secret ways an methods associated with Black Powder rifles.
The truth is, they get really dirty-really fast and because of that, they require attentive cleaning.
They need plenty of water(with a little soap) to rinse away the salts and hygroscopic fouling of the powder and caps. Then the metals need to be dryed well, then the bare clean metal needs to be protected from the environment,,(oil),, and a good oil that'll stick.
+ 1 on using Barricade.Billnpatti said:
Renegade Dan
50 Cal.
I use Ballistol oil to clean my bores and when storing my guns. Like Ohio Ramrod, I also wipe my bore with Alcohol before I shoot.
I picked up on what ole Ned Roberts used on his muzzle loaders that met the test of time (stored over 10 years). He used RIG grease. I have used RIG for many years and find it works well. Never any rust problems and it cleans up with just a couple of dry patches swabbed down bore before shooting. Ned wrote the book "The Muzzleloading Cap Lock Rifle" way back in the 1940's. His experience's go back well into the mid 19th century.
Two lubricants are used on my MLers...."Wonder Lube 1000" for the bores and all outside surfaces, including the stock and and a high temp bearing grease for the locks. Have stored MLers for 3 yrs w/ "Wonder Lube" w/o a hint of rust, inside or outside and the cleanup is so simple....run a wire brush down the bore and then a patch and then wipe off the outside.I also use "Wonder Lube" for PRBs.
The problem w/ thinner lubes is that they react to gravity and collect in the lowest spots...whether the MLers are stored horizontally or vertically. "Wonder Lube" stays put because it's waxy and really the most important reason for lubing is to prevent the moisture in the air from contacting the surfaces of metal parts......Fred
The problem w/ thinner lubes is that they react to gravity and collect in the lowest spots...whether the MLers are stored horizontally or vertically. "Wonder Lube" stays put because it's waxy and really the most important reason for lubing is to prevent the moisture in the air from contacting the surfaces of metal parts......Fred
Rat Trapper
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ohio ramrod said:
I use knight oil, but other wise the same deal.
For short term storage, WD-40 has performed excellently for me. Been using it for 40+ years. Longer term, I use RIG most of the time. But almost any grease or good oil will work just fine. Don't be scared off by that 'petroleum' nonsense. Swab and shoot, you will be fine.
Have heard good reports about Barricade but, in my area, non of the six local gun shops has even heard of it.
BTW, Ballistol has not shown, to me, to be a rust preventative.
Have heard good reports about Barricade but, in my area, non of the six local gun shops has even heard of it.
BTW, Ballistol has not shown, to me, to be a rust preventative.
Valley Forge
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I use Ballistol, lots and lots of it.
But I am a little worried that some of you have not found it to be a good rust prevent-er. Is that the general consensus, or the unfortunate experience of just a few?
But I am a little worried that some of you have not found it to be a good rust prevent-er. Is that the general consensus, or the unfortunate experience of just a few?
Valley Forge said:
VF, I bought my first Ballistol just a few months ago. Since I had never used it I paid particular attention to it's qualities. As a lubricant I have never found anything to match it. It made the bolt on my suppository rifle function smoother than I knew possible. Same with other things I used it on. It's cleaning qualties are something surprising also. After completely cleaning one of my ml rifles I ran a patch down the bore with Ballistol and it brought up more black stuff. Much to my surprise. :shocked2:
I coated the bore of one of my ml rifles with it after cleaning and put in the gun safe until the following months regular club shoot. Prior to loading I ran a spit patch down the bore and brought up considerable rust.
Other items I have tried to (test) protect with Ballistol also rusted. This, being winter, our local, and my house, air is pretty dry, plus I use a dessicant in the safe, but the items still rusted. I do not trust Ballistol to protect my guns, tools, or anything from rust. But, I do love it as a lubricant and cleaner.
