Rust Problem on Plains Rifle

[rd97]

I keep having problems with rust on my BP 50 cal plains rifle. I clean as recommended: run regular water (not hot) through the barrel flushing out the residue. I then keep running patches through until they come out clean and dry. I then soak a patch in Ballistol and coat the inside of the barrel. When I check the gun in three or four days the patch comes out with a slight rust residue. I then use CLP and really get the inside coated. I have read others who use Ballistol have no rust problems. I am befuddled :mad:

[SHbicycle]

Welcome to Blackpowder.


Who made the barrel?
Get some wonder lube I've been doing this for 30 years and wonder lube is the best.

[TnShooter83]

It's the salts in the powder that keep enabling the rusting process.
With the metal heating up and expanding. The powder being forced
in the microscopic crevices in the metal.
And the contraction of the metal, that "traps" the salt/powder
in the metal. It next to impossible to keep it from forming some rust.
Salt draws moisture from the air, and then you get rust.

As long as you do not get any pitting it will shoot fine.
Realistically minor pitting will have little to no noticeable effect on accuracy.
Most pitting will start as the base of the lands/grooves. Where the powder
fouling starts. As far as accuracy is concerned you are fine until it pits on the upper portion of the lands. Even then you can use slightly larger bullet diameters to regain
some accuracy. But then you need to watch for excessive powder fouling, which will increase chamber pressures.

The short answer is...Don't sweat it. Clean it after shooting it...CLEAN IT GOOD.
And soak the barrel in a good thick oil. I use CPL.

Just be sure to clean the oil from the barrel before you shoot it again.
As the oils will increase the rate of fouling as it likes to "grab" the powder and hold on to it in the barrel.

I'm anal about my firearms, and if one of my "smokeless powder" guns gets pitting
I'll have a new barrel put on, or trade it in on a new one. But I gave up on my black powder rifles being pristine for the entire working lives. Not to mention all mine were given to me in USED condition. But still I wish they were in like new condition.

I'm in no way a firearm expert. But I am real anal about my firearms.
All except my Black Powder rifles. Which I have finally learn to live with.

[rd97]

The barrel is origional Lyman.

[SHbicycle]

Lyman are great barrels.
you will have many years of fun with it.
as for the rust wonderlube 1000 is the best thing out there.
just remember to pop a cap in it before you loed it.

[rd97]

Thanks for all the help. I will change lubricants and see if this corrects the problem.

[towerclimber37]

Thanks for all the help. I will change lubricants and see if this corrects the problem.

hey! did you notice he said to leave a crap load of it in your rifle bore after you clean it?
this helps to deny that leftover salt any air to wick moisture from.
don't forget that part :)

[rd97]

hey! did you notice he said to leave a crap load of it in your rifle bore after you clean it?
this helps to deny that leftover salt any air to wick moisture from.
don't forget that part :)


I got it.:) Thanks

[rd97]

Just a followup on the rust issue. I posted this question on another BP forum as well. One person stated he uses 409 cleaner and not water. I tried the formula 409, dried the gun and lubed with CLP and no rust!!:)

[Mark@Sea]

Have to use something besides hot water - windex, 409, what have you. Anything with a bit of ammonia in it ought to do.

[rd97]

I agree. Water seems to work for some but I had problems. Years ago I used water and WD-40 with no rust issues. I don't know why I had the problem this time. I have started shooting again after a long absence. Still can't hit the side of a barn.

[rd97]

Solved my rust problem. I now clean with 409 cleaner, dry with a few patched, put a patch with WD40 through the barrel and run a patch with Remoil. I have had no more problems. I clean the oil out before shooting to prevent fouling.:)

[towerclimber37]

thanks! well, I know now, what to do with my .36 navy colt! :D
I was using hot water as well..now I'll use the windex/wd40 cleaning method :)

[rd97]

It's working for me just fine. Just have to be careful to get the oil out befire shooting. I have a small bottle of alcohol for this purpose.