Rust prevention...

[sooter76]

So down here in Texas I've noticed the weather isn't kind to black powder guns. For the most part this is easy to mitigate. I over oil during cleaning and touch up metal as needed whenever rust starts to appear. That said, I don't want to be taking the barrel out of the stock on a regular basis if I don't have to. This last weekend I did so and smeared the inside of the channel and the underside of the barrel with gun grease to try and prevent rust from attacking it.

Will this be enough to protect it from rust? Is there something more or different I can be doing? And am I being overly concerned without reason?

 

[tenngun]

I use furniture wax in my barrel channel. My guns are pinned and it’s rare for me to remove them. I haven’t had a problem.

 

[CG6018]

Brad Emig made my.54 cal. Yorktown rifle several years ago, and under the butt plate and barrel, he applied gun grease. No problems. :thumbsup:

 

[stubshaft]

I use Alox under the barrel and buttplate.

 

[RAEDWALD]

On informed advice I now use water pump grease on the underside of my barrels. It is designed to cope with water temperatures beyond water boiling point and shrug off wetness. After all, it is meant to stay in place in bearings operating in more than boiling hot water rushing past for hour after hour.

 

[ZUG]

To all who apply grease or oil to the metal parts that come in contact with the wood do you have any issue with the grease or oil attacking the wood and making it "pulpy" - "soft" like old guns that have had the wood rot or fall apart from contact with oil?

 

[Britsmoothy]

No mineral oil touches my black powder guns :thumbsup:

Animal and veg products only.

B.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Beeswax under the barrel
linseed or tung oil on the wood.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Beeswax under the barrel
linseed or tung oil on the wood.

:thumbsup:

 

[Skychief]

I've used beeswax under barrel to good effect.

 

[19 16 6]

To all who apply grease or oil to the metal parts that come in contact with the wood do you have any issue with the grease or oil attacking the wood and making it "pulpy" - "soft" like old guns that have had the wood rot or fall apart from contact with oil?

I would venture to bet that situation will yet happen to their gun, given enough time. Just like the old guns you mention.
Wood does not like to be soaked in gun oil or grease, & all old stocks attest to this.
The waxes & tung oil mentioned are far better treatments as they nourish & preserve as well as seal against moisture.
Paint is the best rust preventer & the reason why your car is covered in it. The colour is only a secondary consideration to the protection of the metal.
O.

 

[Pukka Bundook]

The old British Lee Enfields had a coating of grease everywhere, and have not as yet rotted, so I use a light greasing and no worries, Or, a coating of deer tallow. both work.

 

[19 16 6]

Was that grease or cosmoline ?on the 303
Neither do the wood any good. Big mess.
O.

 

[hanshi]

First I seal the barrel channel using True Oil. And on a few rifles I wipe the underside of the barrel with gun grease. I've also used furniture was on occasion.

 

[Snakebite]

I live in the Fort Hood area too, lived in Austin when I got my first muzzleloader. Also lived in Louisiana, Kentucky and Germany. I’ve never had an issue with rust on the underside of a barrel. I don’t go out in the rain normally to shoot. And have never hunted with a muzzleloader in really bad weather.

 

[Pukka Bundook]

Good evening Queensland.

Only a big mess if you pull it apart. Better grease in there than water.
No not cosmoline. Grease. I forget the Armourer's designation for it. Will get back to you.

 

[Rifleman1776]

tung oil on the wood.

No doubt, pure tung oil is a durable and moisture resistant finish. But, it is permanent and very tough. I did my BB with it almost 50 years ago and put inside all the inlets also. Still in good shape and protecting. However, for a fine rifle I don't know if this is the best looking finish one would want. IMHO, the answer is 'no'. Can look like a plastic finish unless dulled with steel wool or something.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I guess I don't have a dog in this race, If I get caught out in the rain I pull my barrel, dry everything off and leave the barrel out over night to let the barrel channel dry out, I give it a shot or two with a heat gun to speed the process.

I have a couple coats of finish in the barrel channel, nothing special, Chambers or Tru-oil.

I wipe the barrel down with Barricade and reinstall it. I have never found rust on the lower barrel flats even if the barrel has been in place for years. No grease for me. I have two browned barrels and two grayed barrels, the gray offers almost no rust protection but they still don't rust with my normal treatment.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Barricade

Barricade is often mentioned here. We now have a half dozen large gun shops in my area, plus Walmart. None have ever even heard of Barricade and don't know what it is. Even at Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, MO I get only blank stares when I ask for it. Yes, is available online but I don't care to pay $8.00 shipping for a $6.00 can of something.

 

[Ames]

I'd pay the shipping. One spray can will last you a lifetime.