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Rifles and rainy days
#6599850
12/23/16 04:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 242
7six2
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 242 |
How many of you would carry your best, and most expensive rifle, on rainy days? I'm torn right now. I'm going to be hunting for three days and each day looks very wet. I have only one scoped rifle and its my heavy .308 target gun that I've got over $2,500 into. On the other hand I could take a Mosin Nagant with iron sights...or...acquire a 30-30 lever action with iron sights.
I expect shots to be no more than 150 yards, and I'm comfortable using iron sights; but with a scope it would be easier to ID the target (antler restrictions) then quickly take the shot. Maybe I'm thinking about this too much.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599858
12/23/16 05:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 321
WBT
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 321 |
Take the scoped rifle and just wipe it down with a light coat of oil before going out and once you're back inside.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599866
12/23/16 05:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,646
DStroud
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,646 |
no you are not thinking enough.... I would be thinking wow I need a rainy weather rifle and head straight to get the the perfect all weather rifle.
"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."
Jack O'Connor 1963
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599876
12/23/16 05:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,311
Marc K
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,311 |
Well.......
I would say that is a highly subjective and personal decision that only you can make. I know people who would never even consider laying their rifle on soft clean grass, and others who see them as tools to be used as needed.
A Democracy is when two wolves and a lamb vote on the dinner menu. That is why this country was specifically not designed as a Democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599877
12/23/16 05:12 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,548
rickym
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,548 |
I think you need another scoped rifle to hunt with.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: rickym]
#6599886
12/23/16 05:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,617
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,617 |
I think you need another scoped rifle to hunt with.
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599891
12/23/16 05:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8,352
Herbie Hancock
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8,352 |
Yeah no one wants to ruin their pretty gun that you've invested thousands of dollars into. But as a hunter you know that you're not always going to be in the perfect environment and dings, etc. will happen.
As said above get another scoped rifle to hunt with.
It takes beer to make thirst worthwhile - J. Fred Schmidt
The internet is an I.Q. Test, people post their scores in the comment section.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599929
12/23/16 05:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 747
Sidebuster
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 747 |
I always transport mine in a water proof gun case that my wife made me.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599935
12/23/16 05:40 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,172
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,172 |
I took my wood stocked ruger (a "nice" hunting rifle) with me to Colorado.
A week of hunting, snow, 4 wheeler rides, ice, rain, mud....wiped it down with a silicone cloth after each hunt and it looked the exact same it did before I got there
Gun manufacturers sold us a lie about wood stocked and blued guns not being able to hold up in rainy or wet conditions
Don't leave it out in the rain for a week, but you will be fine using it to hunt.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599942
12/23/16 05:43 PM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 242
7six2
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 242 |
I know my rifle can take it as long as I wipe with oil. Its just the thought of having to unscrew it from the bedding so I can clean/oil all the nooks and crannies...then having to carefully re-torque everything and worry about affecting my groups...She shoots SWEET right now. I'm just curious if other folks would use their top-tier rifle if they had a choice. I had a scoped "hunting" rifle for a while but I sold it to get something more precision oriented.
My wife just gave me the "ok" to get a 30-30 lever action, if I don't want to use the Mosin; but it would be iron sights also.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599948
12/23/16 05:48 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,045
Western
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,045 |
One reason it's a good idea to have bino's, scope is safest used as intended. Also, another reason both my main hunting rifles are stainless and composite.
As far as your question for right now, keep it wiped down as already mentioned, wont be the 1st rifle in history with a blued finish to see rough weather. I hunted the Rockies with blued steel for several years before going stainless, snow, ice, rain, I just kept those small packets of oil wipes in my pack and never had an issue, then a thorough cleaning when you're done.
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599953
12/23/16 05:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 651
Jigo23
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 651 |
Pick up a Ruger American .308 with synthetic stock for < 400
If you wanna run with the big dogs, you gotta get off the porch!
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599954
12/23/16 05:51 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,165
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
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THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,165 |
Your rifle is a tool, use it as such. Just like any other tool, take care of it and you'll be fine. As mentioned above, oil or Corrosion-X is your friend. For your scope, I recommend flip open lens covers or a bikini cover. You're gonna kick yourself in the butt if you miss or make a bad shot with iron sights 100-150 yrds away.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599957
12/23/16 05:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
shea.mcphail
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441 |
No recommendation on what gun to take, but I recommend buying a few finger cots to put over the muzzle to keep water out of the bore despite what gun you bring.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599965
12/23/16 05:58 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,165
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
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THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,165 |
I know my rifle can take it as long as I wipe with oil. Its just the thought of having to unscrew it from the bedding so I can clean/oil all the nooks and crannies...then having to carefully re-torque everything and worry about affecting my groups...She shoots SWEET right now. I'm just curious if other folks would use their top-tier rifle if they had a choice. I had a scoped "hunting" rifle for a while but I sold it to get something more precision oriented.
My wife just gave me the "ok" to get a 30-30 lever action, if I don't want to use the Mosin; but it would be iron sights also. You don't need to take anything apart. What I do is remove the bolt (lens covers on) put the bore on a folded up rag and spray down with Corrosion-X. Rest it on something safe and let the excess run off for a while. Then take a clean cloth and wipe it down good. I do the same thing with shotguns. Works good. I don't spray any oil in my rifle barrels, only shotguns.
Last edited by skinnerback; 12/23/16 06:01 PM.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599968
12/23/16 05:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,863
Texan Til I Die
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,863 |
I pheasant hunted in the rain and mud (no comfy blind to get in) with a $2K shotgun. Didn't bother me in the least. That being said, I do keep a stainless 7 mag that's my go to rifle for nasty weather.
Silver spurs and gold tequila keep me hanging on. Pretty girls and old cantinas give me shelter from the storm.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599969
12/23/16 06:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,172
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,172 |
So the real question being asked here is "should I take my target rifle hunting"?
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599980
12/23/16 06:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,310
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,310 |
Condensation can get heavy on any firearm on a cold, clear morning as the temperatures quickly rise in a deer blind or box stand. Still, I prefer to take what I consider to be my "utility" gun on those wet and muddy days.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599997
12/23/16 06:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,919
maximum
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,919 |
coat everything with johnson's paste wax. (you should be doing this with any wood stocked firearm regardless of the weather)
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6599998
12/23/16 06:23 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8,263
Double Naught Spy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8,263 |
Maybe I'm thinking about this too much. Maybe you haven't thought about it enough? What good is a $2500 rifle that is now so expensive that you can't use it when you want to use it?
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6600008
12/23/16 06:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 478
JB1316
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 478 |
Wait - everyone seems to be missing a key point here. His wife ok'd him buying another gun. Of COURSE go buy that gun. You wont have to worry about keeping an obvious investment perfect, & you get a new gun! Sounds easy enough to me. Go get you that new hunting rifle!
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6600011
12/23/16 06:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 478
JB1316
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 478 |
Also, to answer the specific question - I'd def use another rifle for this purpose if there was a chance to use or buy a new one. I've been wanting to get a synthetic stock one myself to use in these kinds of situations in place of my early 80's 700. And thats nowhere near a $2500 rifle - just a nice pretty 700 I'd hate to scratch up.
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6600015
12/23/16 06:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,931
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,931 |
Tikka T3 Stainless with a syn stock. The only drawback is that it may become your favorite rifle, like it did for me.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6600051
12/23/16 06:59 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407 |
What 603 said +1...or just buy identical duplicates of everything in SS/Syn & Wood/blue same caliber/scope same everything and you are GTG come Hell or High Water...but then m,y BH just giggled when I told of MY PLAN and said "Really???" Oh Well, just another mice and men story I guess. Ron
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
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Re: Rifles and rainy days
[Re: 7six2]
#6600059
12/23/16 07:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,630
chalet
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,630 |
Nice thing about AR-15's, in my opinion, is not worrying about abusing them a little bit. If you got the ok for another gun I'd go get one.
Shoot. Eat. Repeat.
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