johnf Posted October 8, 2007 Report Share Posted October 8, 2007 I was going to put this in the ML room, but figured I would get more responses in here. Last year at the end of ML season I fired the last shot out of my gun, cleaned it and put it up for the season. I got it out today to sight it in. When I got it out of the gun cabinet there was a big "Poof" of rust at the end of the barrel. On closer examination the whole gun had big nasty rust pits all over it and down in the barrel. The only thing I can figure is this house must be a lot more humid then the others. My other guns haven't been affected, but when I clean them, I lightly oil them and leave them like that until I sight them in when I go over them with dry patches until they are clean and dry. I've used my brass brush, oil, ML cleaner and solvent and still have pits. I'm thinking about getting some 000 steal wool and putting down the bore to get the rest of the rust out. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 What kind of oil did you use before you put it away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Pits are pits in the metal. Don't know that you'll be able to completely get rid of them unless you do some serious lapping of the barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxBowHunter Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 The oil you used could be a factor due to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted October 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 I don't use oil on my ML normally. I poor boiling water down it, let it dry then assemble it. The only thing that I oild is the screws and bolts for assembly. They didn't have any rust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Lapping compound was on my list of things to check for when we went to gander mountain a couple weekends ago and I completely forgot about it. Planning to lap the barrel on my black diamond here really soon John. I had some light rust only in the grooves when I pulled it out and looked at it last time. They were not there after I cleaned the gun after I last used it last fall, but they are now. I am hoping lapping it will clean them out. Far as the exterior if you have rust, might have to use steel wool and then reblue it. Have had pretty decent results with oxpho-blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GobblerBuster618 Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 sorry to hear about that. is your gun a nickle finish. im not even kidding when i bought my muzzleloader 2 years ago on the second day i had it it snowed and i was litteraly watching it rust before my eyes. Steel wool helps some but like what is said about lapping is the best way ive heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 I don't use oil on my ML normally. I poor boiling water down it, let it dry then assemble it. The only thing that I oild is the screws and bolts for assembly. They didn't have any rust. I'm not sure why you havn't had rust before because you are really asking for it by not giving your ML an oiling after cleaning. I always give my ML a good coat of Breakfree before I put it up for the summer. If it is a really humid summer I will check it to make sure everything is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 10, 2007 Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 I always give my ML a good coat of Breakfree before I put it up for the summer. Thanks for posting that Joe, just answered a question I would have eventually asked. Good to know breakfree is safe for ml'ers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted October 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2007 I always thought you weren't supposed to oil a ML for some reason. I've never done it. I'm going to take it out today for a sight in. I guess I'll oil it when I'm done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 You are right that you don't want to try to shoot a ML that is all oiled up. That oil can dampen your spark, so after storage, you need to thoroughly swab the bore dry, and pay special attention to your breech-nipple, etc. to make sure the fire can get where it needs to go. For storage, though, I lube her up, especially since I clean it with hot water. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 You are right that you don't want to try to shoot a ML that is all oiled up. That oil can dampen your spark, so after storage, you need to thoroughly swab the bore dry, and pay special attention to your breech-nipple, etc. to make sure the fire can get where it needs to go. For storage, though, I lube her up, especially since I clean it with hot water. HB One thing I do is shoot a couple caps before I load up to go hunting. It will clean out any excessive oil that was left behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 John, you do put up a ml with oil or some sort of rust preventative, but do not put it up saturated, and as mentioned above, you always want to make sure the barrel is not damp before shooting. Always oil mine, then run a dry clean patch down it afterwards when putting it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bow_hunter101 Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 If you oil your muzzeloader just make sure you get the barrel good and dry before season starts! Last year my cousin fired six 209 caps at the biggest buck on our farm while it stood at less than 30 yards staring at him! He didn't get the barrel dry enough after oiling it and the powder wouldn't ignite. I never oil my muzzeloader, I just clean it good with pre-wet patches and dry patches. I keep mine inside during the off-season in a gun sock and I've never had any trouble with rust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted October 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 If you oil your muzzeloader just make sure you get the barrel good and dry before season starts! Last year my cousin fired six 209 caps at the biggest buck on our farm while it stood at less than 30 yards staring at him! He didn't get the barrel dry enough after oiling it and the powder wouldn't ignite. I never oil my muzzeloader, I just clean it good with pre-wet patches and dry patches. I keep mine inside during the off-season in a gun sock and I've never had any trouble with rust. I may have to get one of those gun socks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad6639 Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 I clean my optima with a wet brush saturated with sabot shooter, then ill take it off and run a dry patch through it to get the loose stuff, then a few wet ones and then back to dry until its clean. Then when Im done, I take some bore butter and load a patch up with it and then run that down the barrel, then I oil up the rest fo the metal. I cant imagin not oiling my ml barrel, it seems to me that was your problem right there. Before shooting it the next time i run a clean patch down it to get the butter out and then load her up. Ive never had this gun not go off, even in the rain and even after the gun had been loaded for two weeks with powder and pellets and hunted with during rain and even snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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