Author Topic: greasing the bottom barrel flats (Read 6712 times)

Justin Urbantas · « **on:** January 02, 2018, 04:19:49 AM »

Do you folks grease the bottom flats of your barrels in a stock where the barrel isn't removed often? What grease do you like to use? thanks

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2018, 04:22:47 AM »

Not me.

smallpatch · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2018, 04:24:07 AM »

Doc · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2018, 04:29:04 AM »

I use wax. Either fixin wax or minwax (less pc but protects well).

Doc

TommyG · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2018, 04:31:49 AM »

Wax for me as well

QuanLoi · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2018, 05:29:47 AM »

I use car wax.

Mark Elliott · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2018, 05:34:57 AM »

I usually apply either Ballistol or Renaissance Wax depending on how I finish the barrel. After I finish the barrel, I don't generally take the barrel out again. I will apply a coat of Renaissance Wax to the entire exterior before I deliver a gun.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2018, 07:56:34 AM »

I use deer tallow.
Seems it was used on the Packington guns, and there was no rust on them after storage of 140 years or so.

bowkill · « **Reply #8 on:** January 02, 2018, 08:24:53 AM »

Let it rust...

WKevinD · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2018, 03:44:08 PM »

I use Johnsons Paste Wax. I have no idea if it does any long term good.

Kevin

Turtle · « **Reply #10 on:** January 02, 2018, 04:35:24 PM »

For a hunting in the rain gun I have brushed a mixture of mink oil and beeswax in the channel and heated the barrel just before installing so it melts in. Don't know if it keeps all water out of the channel, but it sure waterproofs the wood. Usually I just coat the bottom of the barrel with fluid film before installing.

Darkhorse · « **Reply #11 on:** January 02, 2018, 08:43:09 PM »

I used grease on a couple of rifles but when the barrels were removed there was still some rust so I stopped using it. I have been using Johnson's paste wax now for almost 10 years. I put several coats on all surfaces of the barrel and other steel parts. When I get home from hunting I just rub the barrel down with a soft cloth and put the gun away. I also use it for my modern bolt guns and all my pistols. It may not be the latest formula out there but it sure works good.

kutter · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2018, 04:39:11 PM »

A coating of bees wax works well. Doesn't hurt the wood at all.
Slobering on a heavy coat of any petro based grease isn't something I'd want to have in contact with the wood forever, but an ultra thin wipe down with a patch doesn't hurt things before assembly IMO.

Varnishing the hidden/underside w/a couple thin coats of waterproof stuff works pretty well too.
UnderCoating for guns.

bama · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2018, 02:53:03 AM »

I have had to opportunity to remove the barrels from several original antique rifles. I have yet to find one that has excessive rust on the bottom flats. A few of these barrels were still bright on the bottom flats with very minor rust present. One was a half stock plains rifle probably from 1850/60 time frame. I was very surprised to find that the barrel had been left bright on the bottom flats which led me to believe that the whole barrel had been left in the white and only the exposed surfaces developed a rust brown.

I am not suggesting you do not treat the bottom of the barrel but I don't think that it is a point to stress over.

Marcruger · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2018, 04:15:18 AM »

I use Hornady "One-Shot" on the bottom flats. It has great reviews for anti-corrosion properties, and dries on the metal. No need to worry about oil damaging the wood. Seems to work. God Bless, and stay warm. Marc

flinchrocket · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2018, 05:01:33 AM »

Dragon wax from Clay Smith.

Waksupi · « **Reply #16 on:** January 07, 2018, 06:50:16 PM »

I use Johnson Paste Wax. Using grease, you are saturating the wood, eventually softening it.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #17 on:** January 07, 2018, 06:55:54 PM »

Quote from: Waksupi on January 07, 2018, 06:50:16 PM

I use Johnson Paste Wax. Using grease, you are saturating the wood, eventually softening it.

Not really saturating the wood if you use grease, but there is the potential for it to soak in a bit in time. Having said that, the Lee Enfield was always stocked up with grease applied and many have lasted 70 -100 years with no problems.

I don't use grease either, ( only deer tallow) but think grease less harmful than nothing at all.

All best,
R.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2018, 07:10:08 PM »

I have never found any evidence of grease on any antique flintlock era guns I have taken apart. The barrel bottoms seemed to be more preserved than the upper.
The only time I have noticed any rust on the bottom of the barrel on guns I have built was if they were glass bedded...no place for the water to go but lay there . Not that I have bedded more than 3 or 4.

Justin Urbantas · « **Reply #19 on:** January 07, 2018, 08:12:20 PM »

thanks for the advice guys

Daryl · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2018, 03:18:27 AM »

Barbie ne Chambers removed the barrel from a customer's rife, one which had been cleaned without every being taken apart since new. The bottom (hidden) flats were a mass of rust and pits. Go
figure!

Due to the generally better condition, as Mikey says (I've noticed it as well) of original guns in-stock barrel parts, I surmise they were taken apart and cleaned and perhaps oiled, more often than

one might think.

As these old guns were constantly out in the weather, hunting etc., barrel removal for cleaning and oiling simply makes sense on a tool designed not only to feed you & your family, but also to

protect you and your family's lives.

WKevinD · « **Reply #21 on:** January 08, 2018, 04:59:03 AM »

Quote from: Daryl on January 08, 2018, 03:18:27 AM

, I surmise they were taken apart and cleaned and perhaps oiled, more often than

one might think.

As these old guns were constantly out in the weather, hunting etc., barrel removal for cleaning and oiling simply makes sense on a tool designed not only to feed you & your family,

Perhaps that explains the condition of so many old guns where it looks like the barrel pins were dug out with a 10d nail.

Tim Ault · « **Reply #22 on:** January 08, 2018, 03:45:54 PM »

I don't take the barrel out often but when I do I don't want a rusty surprise . I applied a coating of the same stuff I make up for my cast modern gun bullets it's a mix of johnsons paste wax and lees liquid alox . When dried forms a nice semi hard waxy coating to the metal sorta like cosmoline but without the greasy mess. Why take a chance when it's easy to prevent to begin with

BOB HILL · « **Reply #23 on:** January 08, 2018, 04:20:47 PM »

When I finish a gun, I usually coat the barrel and barrel channel with Briwax. I don't really worry about it much.
Bob

Scota4570 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 08, 2018, 08:49:37 PM »

I used clear spray lacquer on one recently.

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Author Topic: greasing the bottom barrel flats (Read 6712 times)

Doc

Turtle