What to do after cleaning?

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bsimardjr

32 Cal.
Joined
Nov 1, 2004
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After a day in the woods or at the range and the cleaning of the gun, what should I be wiping the barel and other metal parts down with to best protect from rust?

Thanks
Bob
 
Well for the last fifteen or so years I've just used a good lube. (the old 103 lube, bore butter etc) The thing is make sure the metal is DRY then put enough lube on it to prevent contacy with the air. I always double check the gun in two or three days just to make sure. Like I said I've been doing this for better than fifteen years and have never had a problem. Almost forgot the most important item, after you are done have a cold one!
 
bsimardjr,

I'm sure you will get a million different answers to your question. Not everyone uses the same rust-preventative.

I use Birchwood Casey Sheath. It is a water-displacer and works very well as a rust-preventative. Since I have been using Sheath, I have had 0 rust problems.
 
After a cold day, like today, I always allow my guns (ML or otherwise) to warm up first. Remove them from the case right away! After cleaning, I generously mop the bore with an oiled patch, happens to be 10W30, but any good oil will do. I think the important thing is that the bore is EXTREMELY clean and dry before it's oiled and put away. I also wipe down the outside steel parts with an oily cloth. When I'm putting it into the gun safe, I try not to touch the steel-I've seen fingerprint rust before on friend's guns. I make sure that all traces of oil are removed before firing again. Some shooters say that petroleum products should never touch the bore but I think that's hogwash-just make sure that the bore is free of oil when it is used again. Muzzleloading guns are able to be treated with what's available, and still work fine, just like in the old days. They made do with what was available, and I'm sure they wouldn't have hesitated to use a petroleum product if one was available. I've never had a problem with rust-but I have had mold grow on wood stocks!
 
i have been using 30 weight motor oil for the last 10 years. i have not had a bit of rust on any of my smokepoles. i also check them about once a month. after cleaning i wipe down the whole gun with a pretty saturated rag and then i go back over it ove with a dry rag. i also use the 30 weight oil in my barrel. i'll run a saturated patch down and then 2 dry patches. it has worked excellent for me. i was told this method by an old timer who used it for years.
 
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