rust on a stainless steel!?

[chadder]

I purchased a vangard in stainless about a year ago, it was a .257 ,and by the way it is the best rifle ive ever owened! but the barrel is starting to rust and it even looks like it is pitting in some areas. what do i do?! someone please help.

[phil]

I've had the same problem with mine. I was able to completely stop the rusting by making sure that I wipe it down with a good gun-oil after every time I use it.
Anyone know how to get rid of the rust that is already there?

[dubyam]

There are any number of products out there that will get rid of rust - Kroil, Blue Armadillo Gun Cleaner, Hoppe's #9, etc.  Just use care and some 0000 steel wool with a gentle hand, and you should be fine.  I've used 0000 steel wool on blued guns and stainless guns, and it doesn't affect the finish.  I got rust off a rifle barrel and out of some crevices on a couple of rifles without affecting the bluing at all.  Beyond that, go to WalMart (or somewhere that sells gun supplies) and buy a silicone gun and reel cloth, and wipe down your guns after use.  Do this often, and they will take on the look of fine firearms that have history, and won't rust.

[chadder]

thank you both for your replies this is great help



 

[Arnold]

I have used Blue Wonder, it takes off the rust and wont harm the blueing on your rifle. I dont know how it would work on a stainless steel rifle. One of the things i do when i first purchase a new rifle is to apply three or four coats of Paste wax (johnsons) this seals the pores of the metal, and water (rain) runs right off.

Hope this helps.

[JB257460]

Try Flitz metal polish.  It's great stuff 

[Dusty Roads]

I would demand an exchange and a explaination from Weatherby.

[dubyam]

With all due respect, I can tell you the explanation from Weatherby right now.  It is purely based in the laws of physics.  Stainless Steel is not rust-proof.  It is rust resistant only.  Because there is iron content in stainless, it has the ability to oxidize.  No gun is rust proof, unless coated by something like Cera-Kote or something.  Even then, those items are not truly rust proof, only highly rust resistant.  If you contact Weatherby and demand an explanation, they'll tell you roughly the same thing.

[Doc2005]

The single best product on the market for rust prevention, IMHO, is Rig Grease.  In fact, I use Rig Grease as the lubricant for the bolts.  It is correct that stainless steel will rust.  That reason is why I simply purchase blued steel and care for it regularly.

I assume that you are talking about rust on the firearm's exterior, not the bore.  The entire rifle should always be cleaned, dried and coated with some form of rust inhibitor when not in use, and especially when stored in a fire-resistant firearm vault.  Rig Grease works great in the bore, and need not be reapplied for 12 or so months if the firearm is in storage in the non-hunting season.  Of course the bore should be cleaned before firing.

In closing, never store your rifle long-term in a plastic case with foam rubber interior...that is the worst moisture-trap on planet earth.

[bassman185]

YOU NEED TO KEEP ALRIFLES OILED UP WHEN NOT IN USE , ALSO KEEP THEN AWAY FROM DAMP PLACES , OUT OF ALL MY GUNS I HAVE ONLY 1 HAS ANY RUST ON IT AND IT IS ONE THAT I RECEIVED AS A GIFT ( IT WAS A USED RIFLE ) WEATHERBY . EVEN IF I DONT USE MY RIFLES I STILL TAKE THEN OUT OF THE GUN CASE AND WIPE THEM DOWN AND RE OIL THEM BACK UP , I EVEN SWAB OUT THE BARREL

[hunter3705]

Stainless steel will rust.  I sold structural steel, concrete reinforcement steel, and misc. steel for many years, and everyone is always surprised when they see rust on stainless.  What we consider regular (blue) steel is a mixture of iron, carbon, and manganese.  Stainless uses iron, nickel, and manganese - the nickel replaces the carbon.  That's why ordinary steel is often referred to as "carbon steel."  It will still oxidize, but the good news is it's a lot easier to prevent rust, and to clean it off if it does rust.  Blue wonder is amazing, it works great.  You can also get rust off of stainless with a good lead wipe cloth, it'll take it right off.  You can also get it off with VERY fine (000) steel wool and oil and/or solvent.  Don't use the steel wool dry, it'll scratch the surface badly. 

[JGant]

Learn how to clean and maintain a rifle properly....pretty easy, and not a lot of effort.