The Accurate Reloading Forums
Grease on lugs?
29 September 2024, 19:27
enyGrease on lugs?
Who puts grease on the back of their lugs on a bolt rifle, why/ why not?
29 September 2024, 20:06
Duane Wiebe (CG&R)Personally, .. use oil since there's less attraction to dust, debris.
Remember the old rule, slop on oil, then wipe off all you can.... You then have proper lubrication.
29 September 2024, 20:07
dpcdNo one. Just lube them like the rest of the bolt, I use CLP; and that will quickly wear off.
No reason to use grease; it is not a sealed bearing. And grease will just gum up things and could get into the chamber, a bad thing.
No do not "slop" on oil! There is a better word for that. Apply.
29 September 2024, 21:26
bigbullquote:
No do not "slop" on oil! There is a better word for that. Apply.
You guys are too funny
I don't think Mr.Wiebe meant it that way, the wipe off all you can ending was clear.
BB
29 September 2024, 21:30
FjoldI use high pressure grease on the back of my competition guns because they get cycled so much between cleanings. It was just something that I was taught when I started shooting competitively 40+ years ago.
I have some nuclear grade NeoLube (colloidal graphite suspended in alcohol) that I wipe on the back of the lugs of most of my hunting bolt rifles. I started doing that on stainless steel guns to prevent galling before I remembered that 400 series stainless is not austenitic and thus not susceptible to galling. But it still lubes well so I continue to use it.
Oil on the single shots, AR's, lever guns, etc..
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
29 September 2024, 22:44
dpcdCLP is all the Army uses on all weapons from small arms to tank cannons. And is all I use, or need. They did not have exotic lubricants for the 91 Mauser and I still use lots of those; no wear or issues noted.
(I build 450 Bushmasters on them; super smooth and fast bolt action.)
30 September 2024, 03:59
Wstrnhuntrquote:
Originally posted by bigbull:
quote:
No do not "slop" on oil! There is a better word for that. Apply.
You guys are too funny
I don't think Mr.Wiebe meant it that way, the wipe off all you can ending was clear.
BB
Uh, hu. I use my oil bottle then wipe it down, you end up with an oil saturated cloth and a light, even "application". Same thing, different language.

OP, grease would imply a long term lube. Thats not the way. Clean your rifle after every session. When in use, no lube at all is better than grit.
AK-47
The only Communist Idea that Liberals don't like.
30 September 2024, 07:18
Matt NormanI've been using the spray 'dry' lube that came out of our military being in 'sand land' for so long. Spray it on the bolt and let it dry.
30 September 2024, 20:07
Duane Wiebe (CG&R)Lubrcaion HAS changed..I ran acoss an old LC SMITH brochure (or manual) that advised the use of 3 in 0ne oil..even on the stock!
SLOP..as in "apply generously HAR!
30 September 2024, 22:29
dpcdBack in the hills they used to recommend rendered bear fat.
And the TM for the 1863 Rifle-Musket calls for Sperm Oil.
30 September 2024, 23:22
rcraigATF was developed to replace the whale oils used in the early automatic transmissions. As a gun oil, it's very effective and inexpensive as well.
Old Corps
Semper Fi
FJB
01 October 2024, 05:23
Michael RobinsonATF is superb lubricant and therefore a fine gun oil.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
01 October 2024, 06:04
df06I put a small amount of grease on the lugs of my centerfire rifles, every time I clean them.
NRA Patron member
01 October 2024, 11:05
enyquote:
Originally posted by Matt Norman:
I've been using the spray 'dry' lube that came out of our military being in 'sand land' for so long. Spray it on the bolt and let it dry.
outside of traveling to very wet conditions that has become my method.
01 October 2024, 11:09
eny[QUOTE]Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Lubrcaion HAS changed..I ran acoss an old LC SMITH brochure (or manual) that advised the use of 3 in 0ne oil..even on the stock!
SLOP..as in "apply generously HAR
05 October 2024, 21:37
Wstrnhuntrquote:
Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
I buy mineral oil by the pint at the drug store amd it sees much use as a general lubricant in the shop...For whet stones, can't be beat

Im pretty sure that is mostly what sewing machine oil is, Ive used that in a pinch.
I picked up a bottle of
this . Its just mineral oil with rust inhibitors. One bottle will last me for years.
AK-47
The only Communist Idea that Liberals don't like.
05 October 2024, 21:55
Wstrnhuntrquote:
Originally posted by jpl:
I had a lug gall in a competition once. It felt like sand in the action at first, then got bad. I use moly grease now and no problems. It takes very little.
I use light motor oil on the firing pin assembly. Grease or thicker oils can cause ignition problems in cold weather by slowing down the pin travel.
For some mechanisms graphite dust works pretty well. I like to use it on my model 88 in those hard to service areas.
AK-47
The only Communist Idea that Liberals don't like.