Action Magic and Ballistol

[montveil]

I have been reading great things about Ballistol oil and Action Magic II super lube.
I cannot separate the hype from fact.
Are these products all they say they are? Would you use them on your firearms?

Thanks

[trotterlg]

I haven't tried or seen either one of them.  I would think it is highly unlikely that they are any kind of truely new invention, most likely a repackaged or reformulated existing lube.  Never know however, but something new would probably find a first use in something other than a gun.  Larry

[gunnut69]

I've used the ActionMajic product..I think.. I don't remember the II part? but when age eats the brain who knows.. I seems to be graphite in a synthetic base.. Works really well... but would be fairly easy to duplicate.. Of course I'm no chemist so take a guess for what it is..  Makes steel slick and it stays slick.. even stainless.

[Mikey]

I've tried some new stuff called 'Best Bet'.  It started out as an additive but under stress testing performed incredibly.  There is this stress tester that they started with - I even used the darn thing - where they apply more and more pressure to moving metal parts to see how long the oil they are using holds up.  Stuff like Valvoline Racing Oil, Slick 50 and lots of the other stuff were tested - normal engine oils failed and started smokin' up at around 10-15 lbs pressure, some of the additives were a bit better but all of them lost their lubricating ability under heat and pressure - they broke down.  Not this stuff, it just made verything better as it went along - crazy; metal parts didn't start 'singing' under heat and pressure or anything.  And the stuff dries up but continues to lubricate. 

My buddy has a Marlin 30-30.  He was shootin' cast but not having much accuracy luck, so we cleaned up his rifle to see what we could do.  In cleaning his rifle I noted the micro-groove bore to be dirty and it took a lot of effort to get it clean.  Lubed the chamber and bore with this stuff and then dry patched it - until it came clean.  We thought it was clean before but this stuff brought out more dirt.  Then we shot it again, 'bout one hundred rounds of normal velocity cast and went to clean the bore again but found we didn't have to - darn thing was almost squeaky clean, still.  In fact, I remarked that 'I haven't ever seen this before' - meaning a still very clean micro-groove barrel after 100 rnds.

So, I'm gonna test this stuff on my Mini-14.....  have lubed the action, abrrel and chamber.  I'm going to fire for cold barrel accuracy, fire about 100 rnds for effect and then fire for hot barrel accuracy.  I will then clean the bore and chamber only and repeat, using a hot barrel trial for accuracy, another fire for effect and then one more hot barrel accuracy.

I intend to measure the 'before and after' groups as one indicator of accuracy retention with hot and dirty barrels, and then measure (as best as possible) the amount of dirt cleaned from the barrel after the firing session is over.

I am expecting a cleaner rifle after the firing session and also expect to see some possible improvement in accuracy.  This lubricant reduces wear and friction and seems to displace dirt. 

One test with the 'pressure tool' was to add a handful of sand to the oil that was lubricating the gears on the pressure stresser in an effort to really screw things up, but the sand never got caught up in the mechanism, it just dropped to the bottom of the oil pan; even when they would take a handful of sand and dump it right on the connecting or moving parts it would just get squeezed out and collect in the pan.

Anyhow, once I finish the test with the Mini-14 I will report back to ya, but then I'm gonna try it on a Ljungman in 6.5 Swede - now that should be a test............Mikey.

[SharonAnne]

Mikey, what kind of "accuracy" do you get with your Mini 14? I used quotes because the Mini I had would pattern around 4" at 100 yds.

[JustaShooter]

I haven't used it personally, but the folks over at 6mmbr.com and accurateshooter.com seem to like Ballistol lube.  Matter of fact, I just saw something on their daily bulletin about it - http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/sources-for-ballistol-lube-and-mysteries-revealed/

Just a Shooter

[Mikey]

SharonAnne:  my mini patterns about the same.  Newer, quality ammo and a quality scope may improve the groups but I won't hold my breath.  The trigger isn't European lock work but it's ok.

If newer, better quality ammo (not the mil-surp I have been shooting)  helps close up the groups I will be able to enjoy the rifle more often.  I like the action and heft of the rifle.  It comes to my shoulder very naturally.  I would like it to be more accurate.  

I have thought I might either ask about some of the advertized accurizing services or have it re-barreled but have not thought all of that through yet.  

None the less I will let ya'll (singular) know how the test goes.  It will be interesting to see what the results are.  I hope I don't have to factor in my old 'familiarity' factor. This is where I shoot the rifle better after being more familiar with it rather than seeing any real improvements in accuracy.  Mikey.

[SharonAnne]

supposedly the re-introduce Minis are more accurate. I hope so. I liked mine except that it couldn't hit anything..

[montveil]

I found the Action Magic at Brownells the II part refers to the fact it is a two part product that reportedly bonds to the metal.

[montveil]

here is the Brownell's page and info
    

ACTION MAGIC IIŽ    

ACTION MAGIC II~
Stock NumbersSpecifications



Mfr: BROWNELLS

Increased Lubricity For All Moving Metal Parts; Exclusive, Two-Step Dry Formula Will Not Attract Water, Dust, Sand Or Contaminants

Action Magic II is made for the gun enthusiast, hunter and competitor that needs superior firearm lubrication with- out the greasy feel or contaminant-inducing properties so common to conventional gun oils. Action Magic II is not a quick-spray, "wonder oil", but a two-step, permanent, firearms lubrication treatment with a natural affinity for metal that actually bonds to any metal surface at the molecular level. Easy-to-apply treatment greatly enhances surface lubricity for extreme, long-lasting resistance to corrosion and accelerated wear caused by friction and heat. After firing literally thousands of rounds, tests on semi-auto pistols have shown no measurable wear, and cleanup was as simple as dusting off powder residue with a soft nylon brush! Unlike oil-based lubricants, Action Magic II will not attract moisture in wet environments and cannot freeze in cold weather. The dry, silver-gray, lubricated surface resists powder residue, carbon, lead, dirt and fouling so your firearm stays cleaner, longer. Action Magic II treatment can be used inside bores, on semi-auto pistol slides, frames, triggers and sears, rifle bolts and raceways; anywhere you want a highly lubricated, non-wearing surface that stays clean, maintenance- and corrosion-free for thousands of rounds.

SPECS: Kit contains 5/8 oz. (18.4mL) liquid and ˝ oz. (14g) wt. dry powder in convenient needle oiler bottles and instructions.

Catalog page 325

NOTE: Cannot ship outside Continental U. S. Ship UPS or FedEx Ground only within U.S.