I need some rifle advice for hunting in bad weather

[Mr. Joe]

Im heading out west this fall to go elk hunting with my brother.  Hes done it several times and says he almost always gets rained and snowed on.  Ive never done any spot and stalk type hunting in the mountians let alone in the rain.  My concern is for the fact that all of my rifles are blued/walnut.  I was strongly considering picking up stainless setup but i honestly just prefer the looks of blued steel and wood.  There has to be a way that i can protect my rifle from the elements...after all people have been doing this long before stainless came out.  Any ideas of what i can do to my gun to protect it?

[drdougrx]

Hi

I went to NEWFI for moose and caribou some years back.  I used a blued rifle with a synthetic stock.  I wasn't all that concerned with the metal finish, but I was sooo thankful I had a synthetic stock as there was almost impenetrable stunted pines in many places and several hours of misty rain everyday.  I'd just wipe the rifle down with an oil cloth at the end of the day and buy a decent synthetic stock for the trip, or, take your chances with stock damage.  Some guys think the dings are attractive and show signs of character, but, I just see scratches and dents.  My opinion....take it or leave it.

[Mr. Joe]

Im not too worried abut scratches and dents, im more concerned about my stock turning into a sponge and the gun shooting to a diff. POA

[PartsMan]

I would think a rifle with a floated barrel would have to get pretty wet to change POA enough to miss an elk.
People have been hunting with wooden weapons in the rain for many years.
Maybe you could put that heat shrink camo on your gun. It's bound to shed some water.

[Mr. Joe]

I was just thinking that maybe stock wax or somthing of the like would work.

[Mr. Joe]

This could be a good reason to get that remington mtn rifle in 7-08!   

[PartsMan]

This could be a good reason to get that remington mtn rifle in 7-08!   

That would be the most logical thing to do.

[Freezer]

   If you have the money buy another gun!  I can't think of a better excuse to buy one if you can afford it!
   If your a broke butt (like me), invest in a nice compact cleaning (bore snake) with a gunsmith's screw driver and clean your gun every night at camp.  Every thing you need should weigh only a few ounces and may fit into your rifle case. 
    Before you take your rifle on this trip disassemble it and be sure the entire interior of the stock has been coated with stock oil.  Then get stock wax on it inside and out. Stock wax has a thin consistency and a small brush will get it into the hard to reach places.  Good gun oil is a must and don't forget about a lens cleaning kit.  If you can't see it you can't shoot it.
   To take an Elk with your favorite rifle ....ahhh....slick it up oil it and fondle every night in camp... that could almost be as good as snuggling up next to the wife    Well maybe not that good but

[charles p]

When sitting in rainy weather, it is very tempting to cradle your scoped rifle under you arm or clothing to keep moisture off your lens.  By huddling over your rifle for a long period of time, you actually warm it so much that when you prepare to shoot, your lens will fog when coming in contact with the colder air.  Better to have a wet lens than a fogged lens.  Lens caps are probably the best solution though I often just put tissue paper over the "uphill" lens when sitting in the rain.  Either way, avoid craddling your firearm or pulling your coattail over the scope.

[Mr. Joe]

Thanks for the great advice guys!  I wont be getting another rifle, but some of the tips i got here will surely help.  One more question, the gun has a muzzle break, so should i be concerned about water in the bore...perhaps i should tape it up?

[Coyote Hunter]

My first elk hunt was in 1982 and I've been doing it every year suince with one, maybe two exceptions.  Rain and snow are common.

Here's my advice:

1. Float the barrel.

2. Carnuba wax the wood stock, including the barrel channel.  (Carnuba is a hard wax oten used in floor wax.)  Don't forget to recheck zero after reassembly!!!

3. LIGHTLY oil the moving metal parts and use Carnuba wax on the remaining metal.    (Too much oil can cause problems in the cold.)

4.  Recheck zero after reassembly!!!

5. A flip-up scope cover for the front of the scope.  I don't worry about the rear.

6.  A condom for the barrel.  I use electrical tape but it doesn't hold well in the cold (hard to get it to stick).  Some folks go overboard taping up their barrels - I just use a short length folded over the muzzle and down the sides 1/4" or so with at least one end folded over on itself so I can grab it quickly and rip it off.

[Mr. Joe]

I can shoot through the tape right?  I dont necesarly have to remove it do it?  Also, carnuba wax is what i use on my car...can i use the same stuff? 

[Freezer]

   The pressure from the bullet comming down the barrel will blow the tape off the muzzel same with a condum. 

[dw06]

I 2nd everything Coyote Hunter said.And yes a good carnuba auto wax is good.I put a couple coats of it on barrel and action and even scope. Works good and keeps any rust from starting. After the season is over I wipe it down to remove wax so I can wipe it down with oil before putting away.

[beemanbeme]

I agree with the wax (I use Johnson Paste Wax) I don't understand why you have to free float the barrel??  I never did and never had a problem.  I keep a second piece of electrical tape wrapped around the barrel below the muzzle as a back up.
You don't need to remove the tape before shooting.

[Coyote Hunter]

I can shoot through the tape right?  I dont necesarly have to remove it do it?  Also, carnuba wax is what i use on my car...can i use the same stuff? 

Yes, you can use the same stuff.  I use Johson Paste Floor was as that's what I have available.

Yes, you can shoot with the tape on the barrel if you do it as I suggested - it will blow off easily.  In fact, you'll probably find yourself replacing it on occasion as it will just fall off.  I've seen people use 2-3" lengths, running the excess down the outside of the barrel, then wrapping tape around the excess.  While I've never heard of that causing a problem, I don't suggest trying to shoot through it.  Personally, I take the tape off before shooting.

[Coyote Hunter]

... I don't understand why you have to free float the barrel??  I never did and never had a problem.  ...

Extended wet or changes in humidity and cause POI changes if they cause the stock to move.  Of course, that's the reason for the wax.


My purpose in floating the barrel is more related to cold than wet, which can also cause the would to move and change POI.  The wet, snow and cold just seem to go together and are frequent companions on elk trips.  Tomorrow I'll be at the range with the rifles I plan to hunt with this fall but the weather will be warm and dry.  By flaoting the barrel I don't worry about the stock moving between pre-season practice (the last of which is usually the week before the hunt) and  the season itself.

[rex6666]

i like the condom better than the tape, gives you something to think
about while you are leaning against that pine tree, who wants to think about
electrical stuff any way. if you get the orange colored ones it will add
to you saftey, unless your wife finds them and wants to know where you will be hunting elk.

[Dave in WV]

If you have the time remove the stock and paint the inside of the stock with Spar varnish. Put three coats in it. Use Johnson's paste wax for wood on the outside. While the action is out of the stock either strip all of the oil off of the metal and put several coats of auto wax on it or if it's hot where you are now let the action sit outside in the sun and get it good and hot. Slather on the CLP and let it sit in the sun some more and then apply another coat and let it sit and bake. The CLP works into the grain of the metal and helps protect it.

[bilmac]

Be sure to take the rifle out of the stock when you clean in the evening. that's where it'll rust. A car inner tube cut in strips make good scope covers. Cut a bunch and when you flip it off to shoot you don't even have to worry about finding it again. Yes you can shoot through your bore cover, maybe not some super heavy tape but light stuff, no problem. We used condoms in Nam, it will cover your brake too Tie it on with string if tape won't stick.

[Dave in WV]

Be sure to take the rifle out of the stock when you clean in the evening. that's where it'll rust.

You won't have a good zero if you pull the action out of the stock.

[wareagleguy]

If you are going to be doing alot of walking (which I did the two years I went) you are going to want a light accurate rifle.  LIGHT being the number one reason.  I would not worry too much about the wood but if you are set on gettting a new rifle I would go with light, accurate, and plenty of punch.

This just screems Tikka T3 Lite in 270 !!!!!!

[bearmgc]

Put Johnson's paste wax or Browning silicone boot wax on the stock and be done with it.

[Mckie Hollow]

Wax,Wax,Wax. All My rifles have about a dozen coats of some kind of carnuba. Birchwood Casey, Butcher's Bowling Alley, or ( and I just tried this, and so far, kind of like it) Flitz Gun Stock Wax.

[rickt300]

I put electrical tape over my muzzle to keep snow from getting in the barrel if I slip or just when walking in deep snow. I heavily seal the interior and exterior of my wood stock with satin Polyurethane made by Minwax. I like free floated barrels but if the stock is sealed well you won't get any warpage.  I have a large collection of tape pieces I have shot thru and killed game doing so. I like the tape to be long enough that at least 2 inches of tape runs down each side of the muzzle. This way if you shoot you can take a piece from one side and put it over your muzzle again.  I also keep tape stored on my barrel by wrapping it around the barrel till it's about 1/8th inch thick in 4 or 5 places to give me a good grip on the barrel if I have to use the rifle as a walking aid in steep or soggy terrain. I normally carry my rifle muzzle down on my left shoulder. A narrow sling will help the rifle stay in place, an SKS sling works very well and you will most likely have a coat on so the narrow sling won't hurt you. Synthetic stocks do change dimensions from being hot or cold or in the sun, they are more susceptable to changes in temperature than wood, it's moisture that doesn't affect it.  If I am really into the rain I hang a tarp to sit under till it eases up while watching a trail or slope. If I keep walking I put scope covers on or use a piece of innertube to cover my lenses. I also like the products that keep my lenses from fogging or holding water.

[mjbgalt]

...this one time i was dressing out a doe and found a condom in it. i thought at the time it was a new state wildlife contraceptive plan. now i know that coyote hunter shot it before me. lol

 

-Matt

[Swampman]

Please don't shoot an elk with a .270, or a 7mm-08.

I just hunt with mine.  If you're real worried, just order a plastic stock.

[bilmac]

Swamp

Meaning you don't think these calibers are sufficient. At the risk of starting up the age old argument, I would say at least 1/2 the elk killed by the locals in Wyo, guys who hunt every year , not once in a lifetime, are killed with calibers 30-06 or lesser. Probably used to be a higher percentage, but a lot of guys now are buying some of the bigger 30s so they can shoot too far.

I've seen lots of critters missed or wounded by guys shooting guns they are afraid of. Much better to use a milder caliber and shoot it straight. 

[Swampman]

Even better to shoot an adequate cartridge, and shoot straight.

[Brithunter]

Please don't shoot an elk with a .270, or a 7mm-08.

I just hunt with mine.  If you're real worried, just order a plastic stock.

LOL we all know what swampman would say even if he might not follow his own advice 

   Now a couple of years ago I was asking around about Elk Hunting and which of my rifles would be suitable and seeing as how I have Four rifles chambered for the 270 cartridge of course this one came up. After speaking or corresponding with a few outfitters all would be happy to guide a shooter with a 270 Winchester chambered rifle that the shooter was familar with and could shoot well. in fact they would prefer that than a shooter with a new super dooper magnum blaster that they only just got and flinched with ever shot  .

    Due to changes in circumstances the trip never panned out but I did end up picking up a Parker-Hale 1100 De Luxe rifle chambered in 30-06. Not that it's the best cartridge but it's one that most outfitters are familar with unlike some of the other suitable cartridges that I have rifles chambered for like 8x57mm, 9.3x57mm along with the 6.5x55 and 7x57. All have to power to cleanly take Elk providing the bullet is of suitable construction (no Varmint bullets) and is placed in the vitals  .

    As for bad weather, damp, rain snow etc well whilst we don't get much snow now wet we get along with damp fogs and lots of wind however I have never as yet had problems with my blued with wood rifles caused by adverse weather. Good cleaning, maintenance, is all it takes.