Using diesel instead of kerosene for making Ed's Red - and question about Ballistol

[Beermaker]

If you know someone with an oil furnace, just siphon a liter from their tank.

 

[buckbrush]

Ed Harrison does not recommend using Diesel because it can absorb water from the atmosphere. He hangs around the fouling shot website.

 

[BCRider]

I wouldn't change anything in the mix and here's why. Ed's Red (formulated by Ed Harris) was researched by him for quite some time. He didn't simply mix up some stuff in the garage. Mr Harris has quite an extensive background in the firearms industry and is very impressive. I've contacted Mr Harris several years ago and he's also quite the gent, willing to help anyone with his knowledge. To me it would be like bedding your rifle and using a hot glue gun and mixing it with crazy glue because you can't get the proper epoxy. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, just giving you my opinion on what to do. The solvents for the mix are not that difficult to obtain, avoid the change. Best of luck.

And as someone that should know better than to mess with a good recipe I do agree. I used my own version above out of a laziness way back when because I had the three items on the shelf. But you're right. I think I'm going to get some kero and acetone and try a batch that is exactly done by the recipe and see if it's any better.

I can say that my "Rider Red" version does work though. And very nicely to boot.