Action corrosion

[Chaotik]

I have a shooting buddy (new older rifle shooter) who brought his rifle by after a local match where he did not perform well. In looking at the rifle I noticed that the bolt was difficult to open, and upon inspection of the action and bolt I found a significant amount of corrosion. This rifle is about 2 years old and was bought new from Kelblys after a 9 month wait. I have never seen this degree of corrosion on any action, and I have strongly suggested to my friend that he call Kelblys and discuss the issue with them. He does use a PMA bore guide, but otherwise I don't know much about his cleaning procedure other than he uses Thoroflush and Thoroclean. He says the never cleans the action or puts anything on the bolt (such as grease on the bolt lugs or a light coating of oil on the bolt).

I have strongly suggested that he send the action back to Kelbly to get it polished if possible, but I am a bit perplexed how this much corrosion developed.

 

[butchlambert]

I guess I don't understand from your photos how it affects the action of the bolt. It appears to be a Panda which is aluminum. The bolt works on the steel insert in the front ring. I see corrosion in the aluminum, but "I" think it is not the receivers fault. Either neglect or chemicals introduced to it.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Could it be a sizing lube problem on his cases that he’s not getting off?

 

[tmwinds]

It’s hard to tell from the photos but if the action is raw or polished just use Mothers Aluminum polish to polish it out. If it’s bead blasted it will be more difficult to restore but it can be done.

 

[jackieschmidt]

What does the bolt look like.

My guess is the bolt rusted and transferred to the aluminum.

The bolt bodies are Crome Moly Steel. They will rust.

 

[Chaotik]

What does the bolt look like.

My guess is the bolt rusted and transferred to the aluminum.

The bolt bodies are Crome Moly Steel. They will rust.

Unfortunately I did not get pictures of the bolt, but it did not appear too bad and was not rusted as far as I could tell. It was, however, pretty dirty before I cleaned it up.

 

[Chaotik]

Could it be a sizing lube problem on his cases that he’s not getting off?

He told me that he uses Hornady 1-shot lube on the cases for sizing, but I was surprised when he told me that he does not clean the cases off after sizing before loading the rounds.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Any chance he's been using one of the off-label cleaners like CLR?

Aluminum does not like acids...

 

[Dgd6mm]

Any chance he's been using one of the off-label cleaners like CLR?

Aluminum does not like acids...

If he did it certainly is a mixture for disaster on aluminum.

 

[Chaotik]

I am pretty sure that he is not using CLR.
I believe that he uses Thorroflush/clean and C4.

 

[Chaotik]

I just found out that he keeps his rifle in his garage year round (Florida… very close to the coast) with no humidity control.

 

[M-61]

He says the never cleans the action or puts anything on the bolt (such as grease on the bolt lugs or a light coating of oil on the bolt).

That's an interesting maintenance program.

 

[LVLAaron]

I just found out that he keeps his rifle in his garage year round (Florida… very close to the coast) with no humidity control.

Well, there's your answer.

 

[coldboreshot]

Based on the photos, I don't see corrosion on the outside of the action body. Would it not be corroded as well, given the outside storage technique in the same elements?

Is the bolt one that has the black nitride? If so, perhaps this is chemical exchange, (wear-off), from the coating since your advising he does not use any barrier lubricants.

Suspiciously (again, from the pictures) it is centered around the bolt passage-way only.

 

[joshb]

Doesn’t clean it. Leaves it in the garage.
He needs a good bit of advice on how to take care of a gun!

 

[nakneker]

Unfortunate but he’s probably in the right state of mind to help him learn a few basics about gun storage. Maybe help him learn the ropes and avoid further problems.

 

[JimPag]

I have a shooting buddy (new older rifle shooter) who brought his rifle by after a local match where he did not perform well. In looking at the rifle I noticed that the bolt was difficult to open, and upon inspection of the action and bolt I found a significant amount of corrosion. This rifle is about 2 years old and was bought new from Kelblys after a 9 month wait. I have never seen this degree of corrosion on any action, and I have strongly suggested to my friend that he call Kelblys and discuss the issue with them. He does use a PMA bore guide, but otherwise I don't know much about his cleaning procedure other than he uses Thoroflush and Thoroclean. He says the never cleans the action or puts anything on the bolt (such as grease on the bolt lugs or a light coating of oil on the bolt).

I have strongly suggested that he send the action back to Kelbly to get it polished if possible, but I am a bit perplexed how this much corrosion developed.

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Have your friend call Ian Kelbly and arrange to send it back to Kelbly's and they will take care of it. That's the best answer to your question.

 

[M-61]

Have your friend call Ian Kelbly and arrange to send it back to Kelbly's and they will take care of it. That's the best answer to your question.

That’s impressive. You have his first name, can speak for him as to what he will do.
Go for it!!
Everything in this post is third hand. A shooting buddy and just found out not only doesn’t he clean and he lives one of the worst states not to do so.
When he calls ‘Ian’ ’ I’d leave out the part of never doing a single thing to maintain it.
Kelby’s is probably so good they’ll replace it so
this guy can start to ruin that action immediately.
If he’s in a rush he can piss on it daily. That will hurry things along.

 

[47WillysGuy]

Maybe a little galvanic corrosion going on. My best guess!

 

[Ggmac]

I can only imagine what the bore looks like !!!!
Stainless 416 still rusts .