Proper Way to Lubricate Bolt ( bolt action )

Jim567 · December 29, 2018, 11:11 AM

My rifles are technically hunting rifles but they are very accurate and I use them primarily for target practice .
Savage Model 11s and Ruger Ranch American.
After I clean them I go very sparingly with any oil.
None on the lugs.
My thoughts were any oil on the lugs would adversely effect accuracy.
I realized today I probably could use some advice here lol!
Thanks.

tangolima · December 29, 2018, 11:29 AM

In addition to light coat of oil on all surfaces to prevent rust, I apply little amount of grease to behind the lugs, camming surfaces for recocking and primary extraction, and the sear. The grease is for lubrication and wear prevention.

It is generally pretty dry. It is for target shooting. Hunting in extreme climate is very different.

-TL

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

RC20 · December 29, 2018, 04:48 PM

Agreed with the above.

mgulino · December 29, 2018, 07:39 PM

What type of grease do you recommend?

reynolds357 · December 29, 2018, 08:29 PM

I have no earthly idea why lugs would need grease or even liquid oil for that matter. A dry film synthetic lubricant/rust preventative is far superior.

rebs · December 29, 2018, 09:31 PM

Quote:

A dry film synthetic lubricant/rust preventative is far superior.

what do you recommend ?

std7mag · December 29, 2018, 10:43 PM

I've seen the silicone wipes marketed. I've also seen people use silicone spray on a rag.
I use a light coat of gun oil on surfaces.
For sear and the back side of the bolt lugs i use grease from Montana Extreme. Just a light smear will do.

Steve in PA · December 29, 2018, 10:55 PM

Why would lube on the lugs affect accuracy?? The lugs lock into the recess in the receiver when you close the bolt, securing them in place. The fact that there was a film of lube on the bearing surfaces does not affect accuracy.

reynolds357 · December 29, 2018, 11:30 PM

Quote:

what do you recommend ?

Otis Dry Lube is a good one that is pretty easy to find.

tangolima · December 29, 2018, 11:41 PM

I use this grease

Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Grease (NLGI 2) FamilyValue 2Pack (3 ozTube)-kes-Super https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KCMDKW6..._4XekCbBDXDG2Z

-TL

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Mobuck · December 30, 2018, 07:07 AM

"My thoughts were any oil on the lugs would adversely effect accuracy."

In what way? Do you really think a thin film of oil/grease is going to significantly change some dimension of the chamber/headspace?
I grease the bolt lugs and cocking cam surfaces unless I'm hunting in extreme cold or a dusty environment.

Jim567 · December 30, 2018, 08:15 AM

Yes,
That’s is what I was thinking Mobuck.

jmr40 · December 30, 2018, 08:35 AM

Oil and grease attract and hold dust and dirt. After I clean my rifles I'll leave a VERY light film of oil just to protect against rust. But when I go hunting I remove as much as possible. The goal is to hunt with the bolt and raceways almost dry.

reynolds357 · December 30, 2018, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Oil and grease attract and hold dust and dirt. After I clean my rifles I'll leave a VERY light film of oil just to protect against rust. But when I go hunting I remove as much as possible. The goal is to hunt with the bolt and raceways almost dry.

I agree 100% with that reasoning. I used to do the same thing, but the advancements in the dry lube/rust preventative let me eliminate the wet oil all together. (The earlier ones were not very good)

RC20 · December 30, 2018, 11:17 AM

Oil nor grease "attacks" dirt.

Dirt stays where it is at unless it is stirred up.

If you are in a dirty environment, then some of it will adhere to the grease or oil. If its really bad (sand and dirt in desert and wind, aka Duststorm ) then its a serious issue.

And what do you need to do to keep an AR running under those conditions, yep, oil.

I have yet to be outdoors in conditions that would wind up an issue. Worst case keep the bolt closed and a cotton plug in the bore.

And neither grease nor oil is going to affect accuracy on the bolt.

If its wet, more oil the better.

I have not tried dry lubes in guns. Other places I have not been impressed but have not tried them in a while either. Worth a look. They do keep improving products and some vastly beat the stuff of old (which tended to toxic but worked).

Any grease is fine, its not like this is a gear to gear that requires EP, though if you have EP there is no reason not to use it.

Jim567 · December 30, 2018, 12:19 PM

If a bit of grease or oil on the lugs does not effect accuracy,
I have my answer.

Nathan · December 31, 2018, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangolima

I use this grease

Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Grease (NLGI 2) FamilyValue 2Pack (3 ozTube)-kes-Super https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KCMDKW6..._4XekCbBDXDG2Z

-TL

I agree. Apply and wipe off. It is great stuff.

Only about $5 a tube, if you look.

berettaprofessor · December 31, 2018, 08:36 PM

I'm with tangolima and Nathan; Superlube!

SJCbklyn · January 3, 2019, 07:12 PM

I use Ballistol wipes and a drop of Tetra gun grease on the bolt face.

JJ45 · January 6, 2019, 01:27 PM

Not so much what lube... there are too many that are suitable. Too much could cause problems. Sparingly is the word.

It's well known that dirt, carbon, etc. mixed with grease or other lube can harden or congeal in cold weather. Especially if in the firing pin channel. I have seen it happen deer hunting.

RC20 · January 8, 2019, 06:45 PM

True, synthetic oil and lube is your friend.

December 29, 2018, 11:11 AM	#1
Jim567 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2014 Location: NE FL Posts: 656	Proper Way to Lubricate Bolt ( bolt action ) My rifles are technically hunting rifles but they are very accurate and I use them primarily for target practice . Savage Model 11s and Ruger Ranch American. After I clean them I go very sparingly with any oil. None on the lugs. My thoughts were any oil on the lugs would adversely effect accuracy. I realized today I probably could use some advice here lol! Thanks.

December 29, 2018, 04:48 PM	#3
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Agreed with the above. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 29, 2018, 10:43 PM	#7
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I've seen the silicone wipes marketed. I've also seen people use silicone spray on a rag. I use a light coat of gun oil on surfaces. For sear and the back side of the bolt lugs i use grease from Montana Extreme. Just a light smear will do. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

December 29, 2018, 10:55 PM	#8
Steve in PA Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 756	Why would lube on the lugs affect accuracy?? The lugs lock into the recess in the receiver when you close the bolt, securing them in place. The fact that there was a film of lube on the bearing surfaces does not affect accuracy. __________________ Steve

December 30, 2018, 08:35 AM	#13
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	Oil and grease attract and hold dust and dirt. After I clean my rifles I'll leave a VERY light film of oil just to protect against rust. But when I go hunting I remove as much as possible. The goal is to hunt with the bolt and raceways almost dry. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

December 29, 2018, 11:29 AM	#2
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,824	In addition to light coat of oil on all surfaces to prevent rust, I apply little amount of grease to behind the lugs, camming surfaces for recocking and primary extraction, and the sear. The grease is for lubrication and wear prevention. It is generally pretty dry. It is for target shooting. Hunting in extreme climate is very different. -TL Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

December 29, 2018, 07:39 PM	#4
mgulino Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2017 Posts: 198	What type of grease do you recommend?

December 29, 2018, 08:29 PM	#5
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I have no earthly idea why lugs would need grease or even liquid oil for that matter. A dry film synthetic lubricant/rust preventative is far superior.

December 29, 2018, 11:41 PM	#10
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,824	I use this grease Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Grease (NLGI 2) FamilyValue 2Pack (3 ozTube)-kes-Super https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KCMDKW6..._4XekCbBDXDG2Z -TL Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

December 30, 2018, 07:07 AM	#11
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	"My thoughts were any oil on the lugs would adversely effect accuracy." In what way? Do you really think a thin film of oil/grease is going to significantly change some dimension of the chamber/headspace? I grease the bolt lugs and cocking cam surfaces unless I'm hunting in extreme cold or a dusty environment.

December 30, 2018, 08:15 AM	#12
Jim567 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2014 Location: NE FL Posts: 656	Yes, That’s is what I was thinking Mobuck.

December 30, 2018, 11:17 AM	#15
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Oil nor grease "attacks" dirt. Dirt stays where it is at unless it is stirred up. If you are in a dirty environment, then some of it will adhere to the grease or oil. If its really bad (sand and dirt in desert and wind, aka Duststorm ) then its a serious issue. And what do you need to do to keep an AR running under those conditions, yep, oil. I have yet to be outdoors in conditions that would wind up an issue. Worst case keep the bolt closed and a cotton plug in the bore. And neither grease nor oil is going to affect accuracy on the bolt. If its wet, more oil the better. I have not tried dry lubes in guns. Other places I have not been impressed but have not tried them in a while either. Worth a look. They do keep improving products and some vastly beat the stuff of old (which tended to toxic but worked). Any grease is fine, its not like this is a gear to gear that requires EP, though if you have EP there is no reason not to use it. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 30, 2018, 12:19 PM	#16
Jim567 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2014 Location: NE FL Posts: 656	If a bit of grease or oil on the lugs does not effect accuracy, I have my answer. Last edited by Jim567; December 31, 2018 at 07:45 AM.

December 31, 2018, 08:36 PM	#18
berettaprofessor Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2008 Posts: 1,091	I'm with tangolima and Nathan; Superlube!

January 3, 2019, 07:12 PM	#19
SJCbklyn Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2016 Posts: 102	I use Ballistol wipes and a drop of Tetra gun grease on the bolt face.

January 6, 2019, 01:27 PM	#20
JJ45 Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2015 Posts: 908	Not so much what lube... there are too many that are suitable. Too much could cause problems. Sparingly is the word. It's well known that dirt, carbon, etc. mixed with grease or other lube can harden or congeal in cold weather. Especially if in the firing pin channel. I have seen it happen deer hunting.

January 8, 2019, 06:45 PM	#21
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	True, synthetic oil and lube is your friend. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not