If I may @DD, modern hot dip gun blue isn’t really a rust preventative, it is just a cosmetic overlay like paint. A firearm that is actually slow rust blued is 10x more impervious to rust because, well, it is rust that is actually pert of the steel. Almost all independent custom rifle makers use a slow rust blue process and that is what clients tend to expect. Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a good piece of walnut for a stock as long as it has been seasoned correctly and sealed with a good gunstock oil. I prefer Tru Oil and the first few applications are cut 50/50 with charcoal lighter fluid only because it flashes (evaporates) slowly and helps the oil penetrate deeper into the stock. I always coat the stock inside and out with at least 3 coats of thinned Tru Oil. It has been my experience building hundreds of custom rifles that the above is the best way to limit water penetration. But, as a measure when I’m hunting, if my gun gets wet it comes out of the stock as soon as I get back to camp or home and get a through cleaning. Guns are an investment and they ought to be treated as such so the next generations can enjoy them. Great video @DD.
So true. I love Howa 1500 and Weatherby Vanguard rifles, but they use the cheapest so called bluing process on earth. Scratches easily and rusts easily. A real shame considering how great they feel and shoot.
Being from the rust belt I hate rust more than ice. My current hunting rifle was bought so I didn't have to take an heirloom out hunting in fowl weather. But my new rifle could be an heirloom one day.
Long before muzzle condoms, my dad told taught me to put Saran wrap over the muzzle and hold it in place with a small rubber band. The condom speech took place in the duck blind one afternoon when nothing was flying.
Lots of ingenious ideas out there now. Flip caps and muzzle cover for me still though. I had one setup that didn't like a rear cap but I just made sure to keep it upright. The rest I was able to find a combo that worked out. Nice and thoughtful as usual.
DD, You covered a lot of ground in this one. I gotta say that the neoprene covers are my favorite because they offer a bit of protection against dents, dings, and other oops moments, lol! As usual, watching one of your videos is gonna cost me some money, the CorrosionX looked like something I need to try. Well, this was another great video and I hope most people heard you say that all guns can rust; many people swear up and down that a stainless rifle won’t rust! Ha, that’s a good one! 😂 Enjoyed it, take care!
Having hunted on the West Coast rain forests for many years I used Corrosion X on the metal prior to the hunt. When hunting in the evening a coating of WD40 on exposed metal and a squirt in the bore( mop out ) always seemed to keep rust from forming on the wet days…. After the hunt separate the metal and stock and use Corrosion X and store…..
Great video as always DD, I learned of a couple new products. Ive used "finger cots" for muzzle protection for years, didn't know about the rifle condoms, same thing damn near. I like Sthealthy Hunters scope action barrel protection all in 1 but currently use the flip up covers with neoprene cover. Thanks again DD!
Good content as always DD, I use Butler Creek flip up scope covers on most of my rifles. Given that all my outings for deer are fairly close to home and not very seasonally restricted here in the UK, I tend to stay home if it’s wet or sit in a covered hide.
DesertDog I really like your straight to the facts videos. They are excelent ! keep the good work. Some of the stuff you mentioned are not easilly obtainable down here in Argentina, Though the electric tape was an old favourite of mine because --i always carry my rifle muzzle down!
Where was this before last season?! I got my brand new X bolt drenched on the last day of season. Misting all morning and then while I was dressing out my deer it poured real good. Laid my pack over the action/scope but I still managed to soak the scope/action. Complete disassemble and copious amounts of ballistol in every nook and cranny, letting it sit awhile and then wiping off all the excess seems to have done the trick so far.
Hi desert dog. My old winchesters stay in the house when raining snowing. Then my Henry lever guns are used. I always cap my scopes and pit a balloon on the muzzle. And the wipe dry and swab the bore. . Bad thing grandpaps Woolrich coat needs dried out. But I'm warm. I was born in the wrong century. I absolutely love a 3030 lever, als44 mag lever gun. They are what I always use. And I have some m70 and m54 winchesters too. But I'm a lever rifle guy. God bless you. You are awsome. Please don't laugh at me. How I get my deer is more important to me than how far and how many.im using my greatgrandpaps 3240 next year God willing of course.😊
Lots of good information there. Like you said about the flip up covers, makes elevation adjustments hard unless you've memorized your up/down direction after slipping the scales when you zero. Another way to alleviate that is just use the old school max point blank zero. Electrical tape and the SoloHntr full rifle cover is what I use primarily. I've got an eberlestock pack mountable scabbard as well to use for transport and don't need immediate access.
DDO You hit it out of the park with your experience knowledge to shared wisdom with one a kind inclusive revealing of firearms protection ( mostly rifles/ shotguns). Especially the reality of the metallurgy 101 and propensity of stainless to rust at rest when moisture present. How about a handgun hunting in foul weather and storage tutorial? Always a Sunday break with your real time adventures applicable to many who appreciate quality over quantity. TRJM 🙏🍀✡️🦅
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Nice thing is the woods are very quiet once you get out of sight. 🤣But hey, you and Rinella and Newburg and Hushin and the others, you TH-camrs are ruining public land hunting, it's not OUR choices😆.
Desert Dog I recently purchased one of my dream rifles. It's a limited production remington 700 classic chambered in 300 savage. I love the 300 savage cartridge but it's hard to find a modern bolt action chambered in it. This particular rifle has been a safe queen for the past 20 years. Never fired & never taken into the woods. Here where I hunt in the mountains of eastern Maryland & west virginia I never really have to shoot past 200 yards. I'm going to use this rifle as one of my primary whitetail rifles since I've wanted one for so long. It's days of setting unused in a safe are over. That being said I really want to do everything possible to protect it so I can one day pass it down to a family member. Any more tips on protecting wood stocks on hunting rifles? I'm not afraid to get a scratch or ding but I do want to preserve this rifle as much as possible so that one day my grandchildren can enjoy hunting with it as much as I do. Thanks for the great content!
Something often missed is the effect of condensation that forms whenever a firearm is exposed to rapid temperature changes. Anyone who has ever fired up a propane heater in a deer stand on a frosty morning knows this all too well. It can also happen when gun safes for placed in garages or other areas where temperatures and humidity can change quickly. IMO, what people often miss is how this condensation can be absorbed by fouling buildup inside rifle barrels. Months or even years may pass before the gun owner discovers pitting inside a barrel caused by fouling that's repeatedly absorbed and held moisture against bore surfaces.
DD thanks for the break down. I'm going to Africa the last week of May 2025. Please give me a break down of what you do , if anything, while riding in the hunting vehicle while there, etc.
Reading a reply to a comment, you relayed the M70 is a much better then a Tikka action. The X I believe the explanation of this would make a great video. Not so much to bash a Tikka or any other type of action (savage, Ruger Amer, ect). But more why the Win 70 is so much better. What makes them better. Not just accuracy. Thanks DD
Not enough to ever be noticeable with a hunting rifle. I have a 6mm Dasher that shoots .16" to .22" groups, and there is no noticeable POI shift with tape. There are hundreds of videos and articles demonstrating this.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Does that include 22 LR and other rimfires? I trust your experience, but most videos and articles are fluff pieces that never shoot enough in controlled conditions to be statistically significant.
Hey DD, l've spent most of my life in the bush , cannot remember ever having to" Dial the Dial "on the scope turrets, l know the zero range of my various rifles & more important my capability of a clean kill or crippling shot , where the target animal will leave blood spoor & not able to run far.
The reason I don't recommend ANY flip-up covers is because they offer no scope protection from bumps and impacts (which you really need with a Leupold)
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 got me worried about going Leupold now. Are they really that bad at keeping zero? I felt good about my choice until now. This is my first higher end scope ever
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 thanks for your answers. I really appreciate your point of view. I'm usually a Burris man but I wanted a better clear image. I went Leupold because I hear there the best and I see so many guys like you that use them. Now I hearing they don't hold zero well. I'm worried because I can't buy another for long time. I'm tight $$, wise.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 absolutely beautiful glass! Well that's not that bad then . Just normal care don't drop the rifle. Don't let it fall over n hit the scope kinda stuff. Thanks desert dog. I really learn so much stuff since finding your awesome channel. We all appreciate it ! Your ethical standpoint is helping tons of beginner and seasoned hunters alike.
You can't chrome-line an existing barrel (it will change bore dimensions and the bullet will no longer fit). Most bolt action rifles do not use chrome lined barrels because they are much less accurate. The military doesn't use chrome lined barrels for rust prevention; they use them because barrel-life is greatly extended.
I use Cerakote on many firearms and do my own applications. IMO, it is great stuff. But I still keep the surfaces clean and use a coat of corrosionX. Micro-scratches and small impact indentations that are not visible to the eye can defeat any metal coating.
The new M70 Supergrades are fantastic (probably the best mass produced hunting rifles made). The only upgrade I give them is a proper bedding job. The VX5HD scopes have great glass, are very light, and have great features for the price. Unfortunately, they are relatively fragile.
As far as I know, Neoprene is never waterproof, divers that are trying to stay truly warm, use dry suit. This is an improbable membrane, slick material like a rain jacket. I have never had the money to go on a night day long hunting trip, but I had to maintain weapons after rainy days and iraq. It is amazing in the 21st century , we still have and ages-old problem like rust.
Waterproof neoprene has existed for a long time. Most duck hunters use neoprene waders. All of my fishing waders that I've used for the last 30 years have had waterproof neoprene feet. Those spend all day underwater and my pants and socks stay dry. They have also made waterproof neoprene scope covers for many years and they will keep your scope dry.
I actually send quite a few new hunters to this site to acquaint them with information like this. So as remedial as this may seem to you, this information is still quite relevant and useful. Plus although I've been using electrical tape and a neoprene cover myself all these years, I'm still open to a new/better idea to protect my equipment out in the field.
Using some of these covers during competition on a range would be problematic. No one could tell if the action is open or not. I see a safety issue with that!
If I may @DD, modern hot dip gun blue isn’t really a rust preventative, it is just a cosmetic overlay like paint. A firearm that is actually slow rust blued is 10x more impervious to rust because, well, it is rust that is actually pert of the steel. Almost all independent custom rifle makers use a slow rust blue process and that is what clients tend to expect. Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a good piece of walnut for a stock as long as it has been seasoned correctly and sealed with a good gunstock oil. I prefer Tru Oil and the first few applications are cut 50/50 with charcoal lighter fluid only because it flashes (evaporates) slowly and helps the oil penetrate deeper into the stock. I always coat the stock inside and out with at least 3 coats of thinned Tru Oil. It has been my experience building hundreds of custom rifles that the above is the best way to limit water penetration. But, as a measure when I’m hunting, if my gun gets wet it comes out of the stock as soon as I get back to camp or home and get a through cleaning. Guns are an investment and they ought to be treated as such so the next generations can enjoy them. Great video @DD.
So true. I love Howa 1500 and Weatherby Vanguard rifles, but they use the cheapest so called bluing process on earth. Scratches easily and rusts easily. A real shame considering how great they feel and shoot.
You tend to elaborate and get straight to the point...
That's a damn rare talent - that i appreciate .
That's a good observation.
Being from the rust belt I hate rust more than ice. My current hunting rifle was bought so I didn't have to take an heirloom out hunting in fowl weather. But my new rifle could be an heirloom one day.
Which Make/Model/Caliber is both you Heirloom & Current Rifle?
Long before muzzle condoms, my dad told taught me to put Saran wrap over the muzzle and hold it in place with a small rubber band. The condom speech took place in the duck blind one afternoon when nothing was flying.
Lots of ingenious ideas out there now. Flip caps and muzzle cover for me still though. I had one setup that didn't like a rear cap but I just made sure to keep it upright. The rest I was able to find a combo that worked out. Nice and thoughtful as usual.
Another great video with lots of information from an experienced hunter. Thank you!
DD, You covered a lot of ground in this one. I gotta say that the neoprene covers are my favorite because they offer a bit of protection against dents, dings, and other oops moments, lol!
As usual, watching one of your videos is gonna cost me some money, the CorrosionX looked like something I need to try. Well, this was another great video and I hope most people heard you say that all guns can rust; many people swear up and down that a stainless rifle won’t rust! Ha, that’s a good one! 😂
Enjoyed it, take care!
Having hunted on the West Coast rain forests for many years I used Corrosion X on the metal prior to the hunt. When hunting in the evening a coating of WD40 on exposed metal and a squirt in the bore( mop out ) always seemed to keep rust from forming on the wet days…. After the hunt separate the metal and stock and use Corrosion X and store…..
saved my next hunt camp mail question
I get asked about this topic every couple months in mail. I figured it was finally time to make a video.
Great video. I’m a neoprene scope cover and electrical tape guy.
I’m that guy too! Did we just become best friends?
Great video as always DD, I learned of a couple new products. Ive used "finger cots" for muzzle protection for years, didn't know about the rifle condoms, same thing damn near.
I like Sthealthy Hunters scope action barrel protection all in 1 but currently use the flip up covers with neoprene cover.
Thanks again DD!
Fantastic always love your expertise as a seasoned professional.
Neoprene plus Stealthy Hunters muzzle/scope cover with handle for me, most hunts.
Showed me a couple new items-thanks. Good topic DD.
I didn’t realize the Model 70 Extreme Weather was such a good-looking rifle. The last thing I need is another rifle, but…
Corrosion x is good stuff I recommend as well I first found out about it from the USCG
The Coast Guard and Navy buys thousands of drums of that stuff. I heard the Air Force uses it as well.
ACF-50 is also used as a metal surface corrosion inhibitor.
Good content as always DD, I use Butler Creek flip up scope covers on most of my rifles. Given that all my outings for deer are fairly close to home and not very seasonally restricted here in the UK, I tend to stay home if it’s wet or sit in a covered hide.
Another nice video Desert Dog. I like the simple neoprene scope cover and taped muzzle the majority of the time.
That's what I've settled on.
Things have come a long way back in the day we used to make scope covers out of entertubes
DesertDog I really like your straight to the facts videos. They are excelent ! keep the good work. Some of the stuff you mentioned are not easilly obtainable down here in Argentina, Though the electric tape was an old favourite of mine because --i always carry my rifle muzzle down!
An old kids shoe on the floor of your truck is a good muzzle protector if your hunting from a truck
Where was this before last season?! I got my brand new X bolt drenched on the last day of season. Misting all morning and then while I was dressing out my deer it poured real good. Laid my pack over the action/scope but I still managed to soak the scope/action. Complete disassemble and copious amounts of ballistol in every nook and cranny, letting it sit awhile and then wiping off all the excess seems to have done the trick so far.
Hi desert dog. My old winchesters stay in the house when raining snowing. Then my Henry lever guns are used. I always cap my scopes and pit a balloon on the muzzle. And the wipe dry and swab the bore. . Bad thing grandpaps Woolrich coat needs dried out. But I'm warm. I was born in the wrong century. I absolutely love a 3030 lever, als44 mag lever gun. They are what I always use. And I have some m70 and m54 winchesters too. But I'm a lever rifle guy. God bless you. You are awsome. Please don't laugh at me. How I get my deer is more important to me than how far and how many.im using my greatgrandpaps 3240 next year God willing of course.😊
Great info as always, DD!
Thanks Pard that’s good info
🐶 Brittany Spaniel best dog ever
My Riserva rifle soft case came with waterproof covers. It came in super handy. At first, I didn't think much of it.
Lots of good information there.
Like you said about the flip up covers, makes elevation adjustments hard unless you've memorized your up/down direction after slipping the scales when you zero. Another way to alleviate that is just use the old school max point blank zero.
Electrical tape and the SoloHntr full rifle cover is what I use primarily. I've got an eberlestock pack mountable scabbard as well to use for transport and don't need immediate access.
Awesome video
DDO You hit it out of the park with your experience knowledge to shared wisdom with one a kind inclusive revealing of firearms protection ( mostly rifles/ shotguns). Especially the reality of the metallurgy 101 and propensity of stainless to rust at rest when moisture present. How about a handgun hunting in foul weather and storage tutorial? Always a Sunday break with your real time adventures applicable to many who appreciate quality over quantity. TRJM 🙏🍀✡️🦅
Great video, DD! Thank you.
"If you're a western hunter who is not actually road hunting." RONFL you're a comic genius.
Lol I know, he just lost most of his Utah subscribers.
I love when my viewers pay attention 😂. These subtle jabs almost always go unnoticed. The Utards will revolt.😅
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Nice thing is the woods are very quiet once you get out of sight. 🤣But hey, you and Rinella and Newburg and Hushin and the others, you TH-camrs are ruining public land hunting, it's not OUR choices😆.
Desert Dog I recently purchased one of my dream rifles. It's a limited production remington 700 classic chambered in 300 savage. I love the 300 savage cartridge but it's hard to find a modern bolt action chambered in it. This particular rifle has been a safe queen for the past 20 years. Never fired & never taken into the woods. Here where I hunt in the mountains of eastern Maryland & west virginia I never really have to shoot past 200 yards. I'm going to use this rifle as one of my primary whitetail rifles since I've wanted one for so long. It's days of setting unused in a safe are over. That being said I really want to do everything possible to protect it so I can one day pass it down to a family member. Any more tips on protecting wood stocks on hunting rifles? I'm not afraid to get a scratch or ding but I do want to preserve this rifle as much as possible so that one day my grandchildren can enjoy hunting with it as much as I do. Thanks for the great content!
Something often missed is the effect of condensation that forms whenever a firearm is exposed to rapid temperature changes. Anyone who has ever fired up a propane heater in a deer stand on a frosty morning knows this all too well. It can also happen when gun safes for placed in garages or other areas where temperatures and humidity can change quickly. IMO, what people often miss is how this condensation can be absorbed by fouling buildup inside rifle barrels. Months or even years may pass before the gun owner discovers pitting inside a barrel caused by fouling that's repeatedly absorbed and held moisture against bore surfaces.
There was a time when if it even hinted rain I was headed to the woods, not anymore though, grew out of that
I target deer locally on rainy days. Our deer get more active and tend to stay out all day when it rains.
DD thanks for the break down. I'm going to Africa the last week of May 2025. Please give me a break down of what you do , if anything, while riding in the hunting vehicle while there, etc.
Good for you man. What country?
Use a neoprene cover on your scope while it rides in the Bakkie. Use muzzle condoms or electrical tape if it rains. Keep it simple.
Reading a reply to a comment, you relayed the M70 is a much better then a Tikka action.
The X
I believe the explanation of this would make a great video. Not so much to bash a Tikka or any other type of action (savage, Ruger Amer, ect).
But more why the Win 70 is so much better. What makes them better. Not just accuracy.
Thanks DD
I’ve read that the tape on muzzle trick can alter point of impact, especially on small, fast calibres.
Not enough to ever be noticeable with a hunting rifle. I have a 6mm Dasher that shoots .16" to .22" groups, and there is no noticeable POI shift with tape. There are hundreds of videos and articles demonstrating this.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 Does that include 22 LR and other rimfires? I trust your experience, but most videos and articles are fluff pieces that never shoot enough in controlled conditions to be statistically significant.
Hey DD, l've spent most of my life in the bush , cannot remember ever having to" Dial the Dial "on the scope turrets, l know the zero range of my various rifles & more important my capability of a clean kill or crippling shot , where the target animal will leave blood spoor & not able to run far.
Surprised you dont recommend the lupold aliuma covers . They flip all the way up flat to the scope. Gets them outs the way
The reason I don't recommend ANY flip-up covers is because they offer no scope protection from bumps and impacts (which you really need with a Leupold)
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 got me worried about going Leupold now. Are they really that bad at keeping zero? I felt good about my choice until now. This is my first higher end scope ever
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 thanks for your answers. I really appreciate your point of view. I'm usually a Burris man but I wanted a better clear image. I went Leupold because I hear there the best and I see so many guys like you that use them. Now I hearing they don't hold zero well. I'm worried because I can't buy another for long time. I'm tight $$, wise.
@@REDNECKROOTS They are fine as long as you don't abuse them or over-tighten the rings. Leupold has great glass.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 absolutely beautiful glass! Well that's not that bad then . Just normal care don't drop the rifle. Don't let it fall over n hit the scope kinda stuff. Thanks desert dog. I really learn so much stuff since finding your awesome channel. We all appreciate it ! Your ethical standpoint is helping tons of beginner and seasoned hunters alike.
What about chrome lining the barrel of your hunting rifle?
You can't chrome-line an existing barrel (it will change bore dimensions and the bullet will no longer fit). Most bolt action rifles do not use chrome lined barrels because they are much less accurate. The military doesn't use chrome lined barrels for rust prevention; they use them because barrel-life is greatly extended.
What Bipod is on the rifle with the "Shower Cap" cover?
Atlas bipod.
What are your thoughts on coatings like cerakote to prevent rust on the outside of barrels and actions?
I use Cerakote on many firearms and do my own applications. IMO, it is great stuff. But I still keep the surfaces clean and use a coat of corrosionX. Micro-scratches and small impact indentations that are not visible to the eye can defeat any metal coating.
DD,
Can you please confirm that vinyl tape over the muzzle does not affect accuracy?
Almost all electrical tape is vinyl tape. As pointed out in this video, it has no effect on accuracy.
@mark__whitfield Correct. The air pressure in front of the bullet blows the tape off; the bullet doesn't touch the tape.
Excellent Video Thank you. I appreciate suggestions. Take care, flea1951
Hey DD, I have two questions.
Do you recommended the VX5HD Leupold scope and do you recommend the new model 70 super grades?
The new M70 Supergrades are fantastic (probably the best mass produced hunting rifles made). The only upgrade I give them is a proper bedding job. The VX5HD scopes have great glass, are very light, and have great features for the price. Unfortunately, they are relatively fragile.
Contractor trash bags and Velcro straps.
As far as I know, Neoprene is never waterproof, divers that are trying to stay truly warm, use dry suit. This is an improbable membrane, slick material like a rain jacket. I have never had the money to go on a night day long hunting trip, but I had to maintain weapons after rainy days and iraq. It is amazing in the 21st century , we still have and ages-old problem like rust.
Waterproof neoprene has existed for a long time. Most duck hunters use neoprene waders. All of my fishing waders that I've used for the last 30 years have had waterproof neoprene feet. Those spend all day underwater and my pants and socks stay dry. They have also made waterproof neoprene scope covers for many years and they will keep your scope dry.
33+ for Electrical Tape, IMHO.
My hunting rifles are stainless.
Take care of them like you would a chromoly rifle.
Welcome to remedial hunting class, kids.
I actually send quite a few new hunters to this site to acquaint them with information like this. So as remedial as this may seem to you, this information is still quite relevant and useful. Plus although I've been using electrical tape and a neoprene cover myself all these years, I'm still open to a new/better idea to protect my equipment out in the field.
my Remington don't need no damn rain protection
Using some of these covers during competition on a range would be problematic. No one could tell if the action is open or not. I see a safety issue with that!
They commonly get used when it rains or in places like Arizona where your rifle gets covered in fine dust while it sits.