Protecting equipment in the rain
- Thread starter tuc22
- Start date
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
Seems to me that if you wear waterproof rain gear, you're gonna sound like a tin roof. 
Deer would wonder about this uncommon sound. Sitting would be more of a problem than walking, in this case...
Some sort of flip-up scope cover, to keep the lenses clear.
Short term, I spray WD 40 on "rustable metal", carefully avoiding the scope. After the hunt, a thorough cleanup is mandatory. Get everything clean and dry and then lightly rub with an oily patch...
I don't like hunting in the rain...I love rain, but I hate rainy weather.
, Art
Deer would wonder about this uncommon sound. Sitting would be more of a problem than walking, in this case...Some sort of flip-up scope cover, to keep the lenses clear.
Short term, I spray WD 40 on "rustable metal", carefully avoiding the scope. After the hunt, a thorough cleanup is mandatory. Get everything clean and dry and then lightly rub with an oily patch...
I don't like hunting in the rain...I love rain, but I hate rainy weather.
, Art
P
PreserveFreedom
Guest
There was a thread up here a while ago about military men that put a piece of scotch tape over the barrel to keep rain out.
Steve Smith
New member
They (who's they? I don't know) make a little roll-on cover for your barrel that looks like a little condom (asian?). It's supposed to blow right off when the bullet starts to go down the barrel. Art's right about sounding weird...the rifle should be able to take some rain with some WD on it.
WD40 displaces water but does not protect against it. Just keep your rifle oiled and clean and dry it afterwards. You dont want water in the bore so you can put either a piece of tape over the muzzle or a actual condom. I prefer the tape. Be aware that rain can change your bullets impact point depending on how hard it is raining. As to the noise of water hitting your rain gear it depends on what kind of rain gear. The rain also makes noise hitting the leaves and the ground.
Good shooting.
Good shooting.
For protecting blued/wood rifles, I always seal all unfinished areas on the stock. This involves removing the buttplate, any screw on grip caps, sling swivels and the inletted areas. This prevents any water from soaking into the wood and potentially changing the point of impact. I do this as soon as I purchase the gun. On the blued steel, I spray the non-exposed areas of the action with a rust preventative. The old Rust Guardit was my favorite but it is not made anymore. It went on very waxy and would not rub off. There is currently a product of the same name but it is not as good. Boeshield T-9 also works well. I then coat the exposed metal with a rust preventative oil such as Tri-flow. At the end of the day, I just remove any water from the exposed metal and wood and re-oil if needed.
I now generally use a stainless/synthetic rifle so I am not as concerned about water on my rifle. I just wipe it dry at the end of the day.
A piece of black electrical tape will keep the rain/snow out of the barrel and blow right off when fired. Little rubber finger covers would also work. These look like little condoms and are available at most medical supply houses, or maybe your doctor could help you out with some.
I use flip up caps for the scope to prevent water from getting on the lenses.
For myself, I use either gore-tex outer clothing if I know it will rain for sure or wool if I'm not certain.
I now generally use a stainless/synthetic rifle so I am not as concerned about water on my rifle. I just wipe it dry at the end of the day.
A piece of black electrical tape will keep the rain/snow out of the barrel and blow right off when fired. Little rubber finger covers would also work. These look like little condoms and are available at most medical supply houses, or maybe your doctor could help you out with some.
I use flip up caps for the scope to prevent water from getting on the lenses.
For myself, I use either gore-tex outer clothing if I know it will rain for sure or wool if I'm not certain.
Natural lamb condoms work well to keep your barrel closed in a rainy black powder season, I also use some heavy grease around the nipple seal and a rubber o ring around the percussion cap. Hunting in the rain is generally miserable. Hiding under a poncho with your barrel pointed at the ground is a good idea when its pouring. (note some condoms can rust the finish off your barrel)
For regular rifles, keep them oiled and clean them and wipe them dry when you get home. Even without a full immersion water can work its way in everywhere, take it apart and wipe it all down.
Scopes are scopes, use anti fogging wax ion the lens and the water will bead off, scopes are generally made of aluminum and won't rust.
Or you can be like me, and buy a stainless rifle and clean it when you get home.
Helly Hanson makes amazing foul weather gear. Your clothes should dry out quckly so a good set of jungle fatigues are ideal, as opposed to blue jeans. I've had good sucess with some fleece gear, as it stays quiet and does not absorb water, rather it "rolls off" and it doesn't sound like gravel hitting a tin roof.. however not all fleece is created equal.. North Face makes GOOD fleece.
For regular rifles, keep them oiled and clean them and wipe them dry when you get home. Even without a full immersion water can work its way in everywhere, take it apart and wipe it all down.
Scopes are scopes, use anti fogging wax ion the lens and the water will bead off, scopes are generally made of aluminum and won't rust.
Or you can be like me, and buy a stainless rifle and clean it when you get home.
Helly Hanson makes amazing foul weather gear. Your clothes should dry out quckly so a good set of jungle fatigues are ideal, as opposed to blue jeans. I've had good sucess with some fleece gear, as it stays quiet and does not absorb water, rather it "rolls off" and it doesn't sound like gravel hitting a tin roof.. however not all fleece is created equal.. North Face makes GOOD fleece.
Keeping dry...
Live in Northern Indiana and deer hunt in the rain sometimes. One of the best ways to keep dry is use a white Tyvek waterproof chemical suit. Put it over long underwear and under camo. Need to cut holes under the armpits for ventalation. If you're walking to a stand, drop the top down and tie the arms around your waist or you'll roast. They are completely wind and water proof. They don't make noise if they're under cloth. I wear a boonie hat to keep water from running down my neck. If it's way cold (zero or below) and I'm gonna stand, I'll add a sweatshirt and cotton sweat pants. Until you try it you have no idea how warm it is. Put the legs over the outside of knee boots or water runs right in on your sox.
Live in Northern Indiana and deer hunt in the rain sometimes. One of the best ways to keep dry is use a white Tyvek waterproof chemical suit. Put it over long underwear and under camo. Need to cut holes under the armpits for ventalation. If you're walking to a stand, drop the top down and tie the arms around your waist or you'll roast. They are completely wind and water proof. They don't make noise if they're under cloth. I wear a boonie hat to keep water from running down my neck. If it's way cold (zero or below) and I'm gonna stand, I'll add a sweatshirt and cotton sweat pants. Until you try it you have no idea how warm it is. Put the legs over the outside of knee boots or water runs right in on your sox.
WalterGAII
Moderator
The best way to protect your gear from rain, snow, etc., is to cover it with Glocks!
Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
Lots of good advice (not sure about the Glocks though).
I use car wax on my rain guns. Often it's hunt in the rain or don't hunt, so I have a specific rifle for that. If it's a light rain, I ve had good luck. High winds or hard rains I *really* have to want to get out. Never had any luck under those conditions.
I find that a hair dryer works well for drying your rifle. Use the hot setting and don't forget to re-lube.
I also like the Leupold lens pens to clean scopes.
Giz
I use car wax on my rain guns. Often it's hunt in the rain or don't hunt, so I have a specific rifle for that. If it's a light rain, I ve had good luck. High winds or hard rains I *really* have to want to get out. Never had any luck under those conditions.
I find that a hair dryer works well for drying your rifle. Use the hot setting and don't forget to re-lube.
I also like the Leupold lens pens to clean scopes.
Giz
Poodleshooter
New member
I've used Johnson's Paste wax on my stainless steel rifles in the past. Water just beads up and runs off. It dissolves after awhile, but is not noticeable and it dulls shine somewhat as well.
I just love being out in the rain in fact the worse the weather the better. I sit at a computer all day, when I hear the wind blowing the rain on the window, it's difficult to keep my attention on the job.
For me it's the one time when you are out there with mother nature. You can usually be pretty sure your the only crazy person out there.
I should say however that I usually leave the rifle in the car, I am one of those "don't like getting it wet guys". I will walk a short distance and sit and marvel at the wildness of it all.
It sure helps to clear the mind.
Having a good set of waterproofs(goretex)also helps.
Be safe
Eddie
For me it's the one time when you are out there with mother nature. You can usually be pretty sure your the only crazy person out there.
I should say however that I usually leave the rifle in the car, I am one of those "don't like getting it wet guys". I will walk a short distance and sit and marvel at the wildness of it all.
It sure helps to clear the mind.
Having a good set of waterproofs(goretex)also helps.
Be safe
Eddie
In Colorado we don't worry so much about rain as we do snow, but snow does melt sooner or later ..... we all wear a Gore-tex fleece (as much for our own protection as that for anything else - but the fleece "silence" does work).
The fleece is mostly silent (especially with rain coming down on it - doesn't make near the noise as does the standard "nylon, hard-shell-type" stuff ... ) & the Gore-tex provides all the weather protection you could want. As an aside, we've bought into the Cabela line of fleece Gore-tex ....
We "bow-hunt" with rifles, doing the "sneak 'n hunt/wait 'n sneak & hunt" method in the dark timber & have shot most elk/deer at under 30 yards.
All rifles are standard/stock wood, free-floated & glass-bedded. Extra care is taken on doing a polyurethane coat
or two (to make certain the wood is sealed against the weather & & a "dusting" with 4X steel wool to break up the shine & then coated with a good canubra wax [any good paste wax works] coat (or two) on all wood & metal surfaces (just for grins) afterwards (don't forget the 4X steel wool afterwards to break up the shine).
Point of aim isn't a real biggy (due to the usual short range shooting) but I've yet to have a wood stock "go south" using the above.
Have yet to have to re-zero any rifle due to inclement weather, but still .... under 30 yards in dark timber? But too, I've yet to have a rifle that wouldn't re-zero at 300 yds using the above methods.
Zip for worries to date ..... (& that GT fleece is certainly very good stuff!) .....
Do a good free-float, wear GT fleece & sneak. Who could want for more?
BTW, I'm a "mouse-pointer-type" too & when the weather's the worst, you will (mostly) have the woods to yourself - all the better.
The fleece is mostly silent (especially with rain coming down on it - doesn't make near the noise as does the standard "nylon, hard-shell-type" stuff ... ) & the Gore-tex provides all the weather protection you could want. As an aside, we've bought into the Cabela line of fleece Gore-tex ....
We "bow-hunt" with rifles, doing the "sneak 'n hunt/wait 'n sneak & hunt" method in the dark timber & have shot most elk/deer at under 30 yards.
All rifles are standard/stock wood, free-floated & glass-bedded. Extra care is taken on doing a polyurethane coat
or two (to make certain the wood is sealed against the weather & & a "dusting" with 4X steel wool to break up the shine & then coated with a good canubra wax [any good paste wax works] coat (or two) on all wood & metal surfaces (just for grins) afterwards (don't forget the 4X steel wool afterwards to break up the shine).
Point of aim isn't a real biggy (due to the usual short range shooting) but I've yet to have a wood stock "go south" using the above.
Have yet to have to re-zero any rifle due to inclement weather, but still .... under 30 yards in dark timber? But too, I've yet to have a rifle that wouldn't re-zero at 300 yds using the above methods.
Zip for worries to date ..... (& that GT fleece is certainly very good stuff!) .....
Do a good free-float, wear GT fleece & sneak. Who could want for more?
BTW, I'm a "mouse-pointer-type" too & when the weather's the worst, you will (mostly) have the woods to yourself - all the better.
Muzzle condoms
Those little rubbers for the muzzle of your rifle or shotgun are called Muzzle Mits.
They can be obtained from:
Norm's Hunting Helps, Inc. (406) 543-8488
8975 Grouse Dr.
Missoula, MT 59802 (406) 543-6232 (fax)
They work great for rifles with muzzle brakes.
As to rain gear, here in the northwest when it rains, it usually makes so much noise that even if you are wearing heavy rubber rain gear, a deer still won't here you. If you want quiet, get something with Gore-tex or similar.
Those little rubbers for the muzzle of your rifle or shotgun are called Muzzle Mits.
They can be obtained from:
Norm's Hunting Helps, Inc. (406) 543-8488
8975 Grouse Dr.
Missoula, MT 59802 (406) 543-6232 (fax)
They work great for rifles with muzzle brakes.
As to rain gear, here in the northwest when it rains, it usually makes so much noise that even if you are wearing heavy rubber rain gear, a deer still won't here you. If you want quiet, get something with Gore-tex or similar.