This stuff is pricey but nothing compares in overall performance.

Renaissance Wax

Have hunted with me Kentucky.45 in 20+ below in 3ta4 ft snow, crossed creek, thin ice, water was knee deep... So when got ta climbing a tree & sitting in rainy weather with me high-tech 30-30, twas above the norm... Gives em carector part reason they called me caveman...
Did find out, effects 10 or more yrs later on hog hunt, them bullets don't go BOOM when ya pull the trigger... killed a hog with Kentucky Jr. forgot ta change measure on flask, had the one for my .44 postal, third less powder... Powder over 25yrs old, still only took 1 shot... i got cheap posts... they even started an ignorance list

I wouldn't own a gun I didn't feel comfortable using anytime, any weather.

My Winchester M70 Extreme Weather is one of my favorite rifles for just this reason. Yes I've spent some good money getting it set up, but it is a hunting rifle that I can use in any condition and not worry so much about it.

I don't hesitate to take my nice rifles, that's what they are for.

^^ this. I have 2 rifles and both are ready to run rain, shine, or snow.

I understand your concern though which I why I don't own any wood/blued rifles anymore.

If you don't take your nice rifle, why'd you buy it? You can always clean it up, and remove any rust if you get any after the hunt.

Use it and take care of it.

Montana Rifle Company stainless with a synthetic stock has worked well for me in all conditions including freezing rain, but dusty and sandy actually are harder on them than water.

I have been looking at short range (iron sights) rain gun for deer and hog.
Stainless synthetic rifles with sights are not common. There are Ruger All Weather and Winchester Classic Stainless but cartridges in the sighted rifles tend to be large. Ruger SS barrel band front sights can be had through Midway and added by a smith.. Many rear sights are anodized aluminum and corrosion resistant.

M

So the general consensus here is that I need to stop being a sissy about it and let her get wet. I can deal with that. Was hoping you guys would talk me into a new utility (beater) rifle...LOL!

Yesssr.

OK, I will be there for you.
You must go out (after Christmas craziness) and buy a new stainless rifle.
Wood and blue guns disappear like the witch in The Wizard of Oz if they get wet.

M

Yeah hunted in steady rain all weekend.....in a TRIPOD! I cut the leg off of my neoprene waders and modified to hunt. Never got to take a shot but I could have but only ONE. Rifle stayed mostly dry the whole time.

Get you a savage 25-06 200 dollar scope get the plastic stock oil it up this should be under $750.00 with ammo and cheep case. They shoot just as good as more expensive rifle. Just rember 3 shots then cool off when sighting in. No don't carry the heavy gun hunting at all.

I would buy a new rifle built for harsh environments, then probably another one to have a backup.

Rem oil is your friend.

yes his wife did say he could buy a 30-30 but does it have a scope on already or are you back to iron sights. i have several deer rifles all are blued and have wood stocks they look just as good as the day i purchased them. i m o why spend that kind of money on a rifle you can only use in texas in november when its nice outside like everyone has said oil before you leave and clean when you get back. im not going to say its a tool. i clean my guns every time i take them to the lease whether i shot them or if it is bad weather or not. its just a good practice to keep them in the best possible shape but that is how my dad raised me. everyone has there own opinion it still come back to what you decide.

.....but I would ALWAYS recommend adding to the herd.

Yessir...I'd agree. I own a good many guns, but I would use anyone of them anytime I chose...weather be danged. That's just silly.

if its wood stocked, seal the barrel channel ect with sealer of some kind, when the hunt is over take down and clean and light oil, you will be good to go

Frankly, your wife just said you can buy another rifle...GO BUY YOURSELF ANOTHER RIFLE!

As for using your other rifle, I'd have no problem using it.

I just re-read the original post and he said its his TARGET RIFLE.....meaning its 90% likely to be a synthetic stocked gun anyway.



just go hunt with it.



jeffbird......you are 100% right dust and sand is a lot harder on them than rain. We have to carry our rifles in a case when we are driving around in west texas because the talcum powder fine dust will lock up the action tighter than a bank vault

I feel the same way about my custom knives. I use every one of them, regardless of how pretty the are.

I have a few of my grandpas guns I don't hunt with in bad conditions but all my other guns I don't care my berreta a400 has taken a lot of abuse hunting in 20 degree weather with wind and rain, getting laid down in mud my boss flipped when he saw it had mud on it and I was still shooting I just shrugged and said it's what its made for