The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

I've been advised to mix petroleum jelly with oil to lubricate my rifle bolt.does anyone else do this

No. I just give mine a blast with WD40. Then wipe it off. Frog lube is good stuff for bolts etc. WD40 does me.

I put a few drops of cutting oil on a rag and wipe the bolt over on my Mosin.
Or whatever I have to hand.

Petroleum Jelly and oil sounds like it would make a right mess. Grit and dirt will stick to it like glue.

Mark

I was given two nearly full tins of military issue light weapons protection oil a few years ago. It's a nice general purpose oil and the price was right.

nearly there wrote:I've been advised to mix petroleum jelly with oil to lubricate my rifle bolt.does anyone else do this

You should lube the back of the lugs (where they make hard contact) with a good quality grease made for for sliding surfaces. You can also lube the camming bit on the handle. You should be very sparing with the grease - it should hardly be visible.

The lugs are of course under extreme pressure when firing - if you run your bolt 'dry' you could risk galling the lugs.

No other lubrication is required.

Bolt grease is available but most gunshops won't have heard of it. You can get it from Brownells.

Froglube from Lantac is the nearest you will get to it.

Tiny dab of graphite grease on the bolt lug bearing & cam surfaces only you hardly know its there, but it makes a difference - try a Swing Mk 2-3 with & without! other surfaces light wipe with oiled cloth - 3in1 is fine.

WD40 + 3 weeks = Varnish! - for use on cars in a garage, not guns in an armoury. aaarggh

A light smear of ATF......Dexron III does the trick.

Just spit on it it's the only lube I ever use :s