Guns in the rain?

[greenmountain]

Is there an issue with hunting with a rifle in the rain and having the stock or any wooden components swell or get damaged? Obviously you would want to dry and oil the metal parts after but will extensive soaking in the rain damage the gun in any way?

[early]

Too much moisture can damage wood.

I apply a coat of plain paste wax to the outside, and the inside (under the barrel etc..) of my woodrifle stocks.

If they get wet well hunting, I dry them the best I can at the end of the day.

early

[RugerM77.270]

Moisture in the air can cause a rife stock to swell and put the POI off.

[Paul L Mohr]

I would hope the wood on your hunting gun is sealed and rain should not be problem. If weather effects the accuracy of your gun it needs some work done to it.

Paul

[RugerM77.270]

Even a sealed wooden stock can absorb moisture like a door that swells when it rain even though it has polyuathene on it. That is one of the reasons you free float a barrel on a rifle to avoid preasure points. That is one of the major benefits of a synthetic stock.

[Paul L Mohr]

That is why I said if it effects it your gun needs some work. Most new guns come with free floated barrels, and even bedded actions.

People have been hunting for over a hundred years with wood stocked guns in some of the nastiest conditions so I wouldn't be afraid to get your gun wet.

Lord if that were the case you would never be able to hunt in half the states, surely not Michigan. Heck in MI you would never be able shoot, it's either snowing, sleeting, raining or hot and muggy.

Wouldn't be a bad idea to shoot in different climates to make sure though.

Paul

[heeze gutshot shortee]

greenmtn...forget the weather....just hunt..and dry and clean andoil when you get home

[IndyHunter83]

You could treat your gun I guess but most of those guns already have a polyurithane coating on them (thats what keeps them shiny). I wouldn't worry to much about it honestly. Just clean it and dry it off after your done each day and you should be fun. You would really have to worry if you were camping and you're gun was going to be exposed to moist conditions for over 72 hours straight.

[greenmountain]

Thanks for all the insight. I am using a borrowed Marlin model 336 and had planned on going out today in the rain but my schedule did not work out. If it had been my gun I would have just gone out with it. Of course the rain stopped at sundown just to p*** me off!