How badly is my barrel rusted? How to fix it? (pics)

G

garn

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I just moved from one part of the city to another, but didn't realize the humidity is much higher at my new place. My safe at the old place used to be 45% humidity, which never gave me any problems.

I didn't realize this until I grabbed my 308 after a few months of being here. I see what appears to be (minor?) rust, but the whole point of this rifle is for long range iron sight shooting (200 yards+ is "long range" in this context, for a 3 in target). So once again, I'm terribly worried about the effect this will have on accuracy.

How badly do you guys think this will affect the rifle, after cleaning? Any suggestions on getting this stuff off? I picked up some kroil after doing some research, but wanted to ask what you guys thought before going forward with it. So far I'm, hearing I should fill the barrel with kroil for a few hours, then clean with a brass brush?

You can see the results below... hoping this is not the end of this rifle's accuracy...?











 
Really doesn't look too bad. Clean it up real good with Kroil,and it probably wouldn't hurt to run some JB Bore paste through it with a cotton mop a few times. That should polish it right back up if it isn't pitted.
 
It looks like nothing. Clean thoroughly, wipe the bore dry, use Break-Free CLP on the next-to-last patch, followed finally by a dry patch and done. You'll be fine.
 
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Not bad. Just (temporarily) cosmetic.

Clean as usual.
Finish with a light oiling (if not already using a cleaning solvent with a "preservative" oil included).

Run a dry patch through it before use.
 
There's really no telling until you try it.
But like the others said, it's probably nothing of concern.
I once traded for a cheapie rifle with a lot more rust in the barrel than that, and it was just fine, anyway.
 
I once traded for a cheapie rifle with a lot more rust in the barrel than that, and it was just fine, anyway.
Click to expand...
Yep.
Two of the best shooters that I've ever owned had bores that looked like the surface of the moon - cratered, rotten, and lands rounded over so much that you could barely make them out. Neither had anything that could be called a "crown" either. ...But they didn't care. They just kept on shooting.


I think I still have one of those barrels...
(The action met an untimely end.)
 
Thanks a lot guys. Good to know.

I've got a 12 inch goldenrod in my 5x2x2 safe now, plus a remmington model 365 desiccant dehumdifier, and a humidity gauge -- but they don't seem to be doing anything to reduce the humidity. Any idea what could be wrong? The interior temperature is only 1 degree F higher than the exterior, same humidity inside and out.

Yes, the goldenrod is plugged in... :)

Edit: My safe humidity is currently 60%, the same as my apartment. Maybe goes up to 64% depending on the day.
 
Make sure the safe is sealing properly, including any ports for electrical cords to pass through.

And another, or bigger goldenrod wouldn't hurt.



I have the same problem. My safes don't seal properly (the doors are my problem). So, internal humidity is usually, at best and right after drying the desiccants, only 3-5% lower than external. And, I usually only get 1 degree F higher temperature inside. Sometimes, if the conditions are right and the safe hasn't been opened for a week or more, I might get +2 F indicated inside. (Mine also aren't insulated very well.)

I have calibrated wireless temp/humidity sensors in each safe, above the safes, on the other side of the room at knee-level, on the back porch, and in the main living area, with the base station on the workbench in the same area as the safes. All of them can be checked directly, remotely, or even with my phone.
So, it's really easy to keep an eye on what's going on without having to open the safe. ...Not that it makes much difference. :rolleyes:
 
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