Ballistol

Ballistol is a nontoxic and biodegradable mineral oil-based product which is advertised to clean, protect and lubricate metal, leather and wood.  The product originated in Germany after the military requested an 'all-around' oil and cleaner for their rifles and equipment.

Ballistol has been in continuous use by the German army since 1904, and still enjoys great popularity in Europe for both civilian and military applications. In 1993, it was adopted for use by US Navy SEAL forces, in 1996 by the US Air Force, and in recent years by law enforcement agencies across the country.

As a gun cleaner, Ballistol effectively removes black powder fouling, brass, copper and other metal deposits.   Ballistol's low surface tension allows it to penetrate into areas not easily accessible to other oils, making it an excellent rust preventative.

Ballistol has a peculiar odor which over time sort of grows on you.  Old time black powder shooters familiar with a water based concoction known as "Miller Bedford's Gun Juice," which has been off the market for a number of years, say the smell is similar. They also say old Miller was known to travel a lot in Germany, by the way.

Shooters familiar with Ballistol advocate its use, mixed with water, as a patch lubricant for shooting patched ball rifles. A 50/50 Ballistol/water mix is also a good solvent, although straight Ballistol works a bit better.   Ballistol, when it comes in contact with water it emulsifies, becoming a thick creamy white substance. It is distributed in liquid and aerosol forms. 

To clean your muzzleloader, plug the gun's nipple or touch hole, pour a small amount of 50/50 Ballistol/water mix down the muzzle and let it stand for fifteen minutes then dumped it out.   Then use a fresh 50/50 solution on wet patches to swab out the barrel.  Veteran users report that the straight product works faster and that the number of patches used per cleaning declines with continued usage.

After drying the barrel, swab it again with pure Ballistol soaked patches, then rubbed down the exterior metal, stock and leather sling with the substance and put the gun away.

If you have a computer you can access a lot of information on Ballistol just by typing the product name in a search engine.