Lithium Greas on Bolt Action?

I would avoid grease on the bolt of a bolt action and use a proper gun oil. Grease will attract and hold dust and grit as well as potentially cause issue if the weather gets cold. I've used Lithium grease ( Just a wee bit ) on threads of mounting bolts that are removed on a regular basis to keep them from sticking and also on the breech plugs of muzzle loaders.

On my bolt action I use good old WD-40. Never had an issue in four decades. My Uncle swore by coal oil ( kerosene ) and his old auto browning shotgun has never missed a beat in 60 years.
 
I use a grease only on the locking lugs then lightly oil the rest of the bolt with a good synthetic gun oil or else a 3:1 mixture of synthetic ATF and kerosene. WD40 is not a lubricant per se it displaces water but provides less lubrication than a light oil.
 
I use a bit of Rig, or wheel bearing grease. Lugs get a tiny dab of GMC camshaft break in lube.

Grease stays where it's put, oil ends up in the bedding.

Lithium silences the voices.
 
Grease on bolts is generally not good. It can hold contaminants and is death on smooth bolt action in cold weather when it gums up. Light gun oil is your best bet.
 
Grease (light) on the lugs prevents galling and does not affect the action of the bolt ,however if too much is applied and it gets on the bolt body then this will affect the action of the bolt. I apply it with a toothpick and scrape off any excess with another tooth pick to keep the lubrication layer as thin as possible.
 
Lithium grease is ideal for large sliding surfaces like bolts, as it stays put over time. As far as dirt goes, lubed and dirty still beats dry and dirty.
 
I would never use WD40 on any of my firearms, it's agriscopic
(attracts moisture) I've seen firearms totally rusted because the owner thought that spraying it with WD40 would preserve it, all it did was attract moisture and rusted all the metal. A good lube for the bolt would be a dry silicone spray.
 
I use white lithium grease on my bolt regularly on any surface where metal to metal contact is made. I have done this for years.

As to dust, it has never been an issue as I regularly maintain and clean all my rifles.

Literally, dust had never, ever been an issue for me. My bolt rifles show next to nothing for any wear as a result and are always in tip top shape.
 
jomarz said:
I would never use WD40 on any of my firearms, it's agriscopic
(attracts moisture) I've seen firearms totally rusted because the owner thought that spraying it with WD40 would preserve it, all it did was attract moisture and rusted all the metal. A good lube for the bolt would be a dry silicone spray.
Click to expand...

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/magazine/17-05/st_whatsinside

Which ingredient is hygroscopic? WD-40 is a jack of all trades, master of none. It works great for short term corrosion protection, not so much for long term because some of the HCs evaporate fairly quickly. If you said it's a terrible lube and leaves a varnish like residue over time I'd agree with you 100% but I don't buy for a second that it's hygroscopic.
 
WD-40 and all it's counterparts have one exclusive function and that is all it is meant for...breaking down rust. It is not designed to be a lubricant or long term rust inhibitor.
Locking lugs require light lube either grease very sparingly or lightly oiled, I usually put a light wipe of RCBS case lube on the lugs, super slippery stuff and seems to stay on for quite a while as well.
 
c-fbmi said:
WD-40 and all it's counterparts have one exclusive function and that is all it is meant for...breaking down rust. It is not designed to be a lubricant or long term rust inhibitor.
Locking lugs require light lube either grease very sparingly or lightly oiled, I usually put a light wipe of RCBS case lube on the lugs, super slippery stuff and seems to stay on for quite a while as well.
Click to expand...

lol

WD-40 disagrees with you about having one exlcusive function

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I suspect people using WD40 on their firearms helps keep many gunsmith employed fixing gummed up and buggered firearms.

If you want better all around sprays to use try Balistol or G96.
 
I only use remoil.... when I get a new gun and the bolt is tight, I just sit there watching TV and cycle it back and forth..... eventually they get worn in and good to go...
 
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