Cold Weather Gun Lube tips??

MarlinMark · 10-13-2003, 06:43 PM

I'm going to be hunting in Montana in what could be -20 degree temps. My uncle (from Montana) asked me to read up on the best way to protect guns from rust and freeze up. His 16ga. needs to be re-blued now after his trip last year. It seems the cold can make things pretty tough. What about rifle bolt lubes etc.?? Any tips from the cold weather experienced hunters welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

Flatfish · 10-13-2003, 06:52 PM

Unless you plan on a lot of shooting, strip all the grease out of the action/bolt assembly and run it dry. Go ahead and lightly oil the blued surfaces. But leave the firing mechanism dry. A few shots fired during the course of sighting in and during the actual hunt are minimal. Galling( which is what a bolt gun is likely to do if it is operated dry for many many many shots) should not be a concern.

As a side note. If you are out in 20 below weather, be careful. I have worked outside in cold weather. And exposure at 20 below does not take much to start being dangerous.

Good hunting.

Mark and the fairly warm dog.

MarlinMark · 10-13-2003, 11:24 PM

Thanks for the tips. I have some of that Super Lube Dri-Film spray. What do you think of spraying my bolt down with that stuff?

Mark

Flatfish · 10-14-2003, 07:27 AM

Run it dry.

A marketing guy is telling you it is "Dry". Let someone else do the field testing.

Why Gamble?

Mark and the dog.

StickFish · 10-14-2003, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MarlinMark:
Thanks for the tips. I have some of that Super Lube Dri-Film spray. What do you think of spraying my bolt down with that stuff?

Mark

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Spray means wet, film means something to congeal when it gets cold - that will slow down the firing pin. Degrease the bolt and trigger/safety assembly before the hunt, re-lube it when you get home.