Carefully disassemble EVERYTHING and dehumidify by placing in a very warm area for atleast 24 hours. Then 1. Reassemble with gun oil. 2. Place in case. 3. Package up with ATLEAST 300 rounds. 4. Ship to me. I will be glad to run it thru it's paces and rezero the scope if necessary.

P.S. Please don't forget to include a postage paid return container.

Personally, I would avoid the WD-40 altogether. Clean the gun as you would a muzzleloader - hot soapy water, very hot rinse - then blow it out with a high pressure air hose. Lightly oil with break free. Give thanks for the recovery. There is a Winchester Model 12 at the bottom of John Martin Reservoir that got there the same way as your rifle did - after eleven years, there probably isn't much to "recover" even if someone did find it - and return it.

Thanks for the help,I totally disassembled the gun and cleaned all parts including the trigger assembly. However, I did not take the scope off or the scope mounts. What would be the difference with what happend to me and hunting in the rain, The rings will still get a little watter under them?
Borty

That sucks.

I feel the pain. I flipped a cones and although I didn't have a rifle, I lost a very good camera and a tackle box full of tackle and a good fishing rod and reel. It went down in 70 feet of very cold water. I spent the night on shore under the canoe it one of the worst thunderstorms I have ever seen. Lucky to be alive though so it could have been worse.

Thats the reason I hate a canoe with a passion. Lost some nice rods in a canoe.

You do know...thats what they make ropes for don't you????

Sorry...Hope you get it cleaned up and ready to go....