Hunting weapons can be a lifelong investment - it is not uncommon to encounter seasoned hunting veterans who have been using the same rifle for several decades - mind you, with the same optics, which are considered outdated by modern standards. Nevertheless, impressive hunting success continues to be achieved. This is only possible if the weapons are always carefully maintained. To keep your rifle in top condition for several decades, you need the right maintenance equipment:
Optics
It is best if the objective and ocular glass are protected from dust even in the gun cabinet. For this, so-called telescope covers are recommended, which can be opened with a single finger movement - in no time, even just before the shot. Otherwise, it is advisable to gently clean the lenses with a glasses cleaning cloth.
Stock
Nowadays, various fine woods are offered in the manufacture of long guns, which not only impress visually but also stand out for their robustness and durability. In contrast, less emphasis was placed on special wood in the past, but rather on impressive engravings, which have somewhat fallen out of fashion now. For the treatment of any wood, oils are especially recommended; even gun oil suitable for steel parts can be applied sparingly with a cloth. It is also important to protect the weapon from moisture and to dry it off again if it has been exposed to wet conditions in the field.
Barrel and Bolt
The most important thing is to protect all metal parts from rust and erosion. Many parts, such as most barrels, are blued, meaning they are covered with a black layer of rust that protects the parts from weathering. However, this layer can wear off over time, causing the metal to shine silver through the black layer. At least in small areas, it can be quite simple and straightforward to reblue. A quick bluing solution is included in many gun care kits.
The bolt in repeaters is not blued, as the layer would wear off due to the friction generated during cycling. It is important for this part of the weapon that it operates smoothly and does not jam or stick when cycling. Therefore, a light layer of gun oil should be applied regularly. It is also advisable to disassemble the bolt from time to time and remove any deposits inside. In classic 98 systems, this cleaning also ensures silent deactivation with the rotary safety. However, care should be taken when disassembling the bolt not to bend the firing pin. If it is bent by just fractions of a millimeter, it will no longer deliver the necessary impact on the primer, and the cartridge will not ignite. This is an extremely painful experience when you are just about to take a shot at a buck - an experience that the author of this text had to endure himself.
Surface rust can usually be wiped off with a cloth. In more severe cases, treatment with a brush helps. Afterwards, simply rub a cloth soaked in oil over the previously rusty area.
Interior Barrel
The interior barrel of shotguns and rifles should be cleaned with a cleaning rod or a bore snake after every shot. In principle, it is advisable to apply a drop of gun oil to protect the interior barrel from rust - however, this protective layer must be completely removed before the next live shot to avoid an "oil shot." In an oil shot, the oil film affects the behavior of the projectile in the barrel and thus the subsequent trajectory - the projectile flies somewhere, just not where it should. Therefore, when working with oil, it is important to be sparing - and definitely to run a dry cleaning tool through it again before the next shot.
Dings and Scratches
Certain marks are inevitable on hunting weapons; after all, hunting is a craft where things can get rough - the weapons are manufactured with regard to stresses and are also designed to "take a beating." Even with the most diligent care, traces, scratches, and dings cannot be avoided over time - they are part of it and give the weapons a certain charm. After all, they are not decorative items but tools. Moreover, one or another scratch will certainly remind the experienced hunter of one or another particularly exciting hunting experience.
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