The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Relatively new shooter, and I thought I took cleaning seriously! Rifle in question is a stainless Howa, and I clean immediately after each shoot. The process is Forrest foam followed by wet/dry patches of Youngs 308 till I'm happy (which is normally a lot of patches) then using a chamber cleaning rod and cotton buds, again using Youngs. I give the lot a coat of oil before putting it away. Trouble is I've now found all this in the chamber after a fairly long time without use. To be fair I've only recently put a dehumidifier in the storeroom where the cabinet is, but can anyone tell me how I can get rid of this and suggest any better way of cleaning/preserving so it doesn't happen again?

Mods please move this if there's a better place for it. Ta.

Are you sure it is rust and not congealed oil? It could just be the photo that makes it look like oil.

If it is rust a rub down with a pan scourer and some oil will remove it, next time just make sure that all surfaces are well coated and check the firearm regularly, I use Youngs 303, never heard of Youngs 308 but if the oil is like the calibres then the 308 will be inferior, and have had no problems with it it is a fine oil. For long term storage Xlox is hard to beat as it was designed to protect deck carried aircraft being transported across oceans.

The photos look more like the magwell in the receiver than the chamber, is the chamber/bore rusted as that is a different matter.

Give that Howa a clean immediately, it should be ok.

I reckon your problem is humidity. Get some of those Napier VP90 and the humidifier working, also make sure you have enough air ventilation and that the room is not too cold.

One thing to be aware of is that some wood will react badly to some oils.

Thanks guys. Yes that's correct it is the mag well, there is a bit of contamination in the chamber though it's harder to see from the photos but I've tried it with the flash on it's the same contaminant whether that's rust or congealed oil. I've tried getting at it with wire wool and oil but can't get it in the tight corners. Even if I strip it I'm not sure how I'd get it in those corners.

dromia wrote:I use Youngs 303, never heard of Youngs 308 but if the oil is like the calibres then the 308 will be inferior

Stainless steel is very rust resistant in normal circumstances. That looks like oil. Should come off easily with a cotton bud dipped in Methylated Spirits. If it can get in Baby's little places.....

I agree, start off with acetone or methylated spirits however take care not to get it on the stock.

You could try a sharpened kebab skewer for the bits that are hard to reach.

I had a stainless Howa 1500 that was as prone to rust just as much as a blued one.