Long-Term Storage of SS barrel?

[Syncrowave]

I bought a replacement stainless barrel for a rifle I have, and want to store it, possibly for up to a few years, without it rusting, and was hoping someone could advise me.

For the bore, I ran a patch of Kroil through, then a patch with Oakite Special Protective Oil (this dries "dry" to the touch and creates a thin film that can be removed with mineral spirits), then, after the Oakite was dry, I ran a patch with some RIG grease through the bore.

My main concern is the outside of the barrel, since it has a polished finish. I coated it with Oakite and was considering wiping it down with a thin layer of RIG grease and then wrapping the whole barrel with Saran wrap or bubble wrap, but what concerns me is that, as I understand it, stainless steel depends on having oxygen around it to maintain its rust-resistant properties.

On the other hand, if I just wrap it with paper or cardboard, I'm concerned that the residual acid in the paper (added at the paper mill to improve drainage of the paper pulp) will attack the SS.

Does my plan (layer of Oakite under RIG grease under Saran wrap or bubble wrap) sound OK, or if not, is there a better way?

I don't want to worry this to death, but on the other hand, I don't want to go to use my barrel in a year or three and find that it has turned into a pig of rust.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[PhulesAu]

I don't think bubble wrap or Saran wrap would be a good idea.(chemically speaking) and would trap any moister inside, I'd go for plain brown paper or a piece of cotton duck? like painters tarp. If you're not just leaving it out in the garage, your plan should give excellent protection.

 

[Lapua40X]

... wrapping the whole barrel with Saran wrap or bubble wrap, but what concerns me is that, as I understand it, stainless steel depends on having oxygen around it to maintain its rust-resistant properties.

Bad idea .... plastic wrap will lock in moisture. Not a good thing.
Frankly, I'd wrap it in a couple of layers on cheese cloth soaked with Kroil, overwrap that with butcher paper and put it away.
If you're as concerned as your post suggests, you might want to just coat it with cosmoline (http://www.cosmolinedirect.com/?gclid=CPC_mJybmr4CFe9r7AodeC0ALA)

 

[hogpatrol]

Get some Boeshield or CorrosionX. I used to use CorrosionX atomized in a spray on aluminum surfaces in aircraft applications Boeshield leaves a paraffin wax coating for rustproofing. Hog

http://boeshield.com/

http://www.corrosionx.com/

 

[JRS]

Put a coat of Renaissance wax on it, and forget about it

 

[Eddie Harren]

Purchase a hermetically sealed special tube and have it purged with nitrogen. Then go take a nap. You must be tired from overthinking this situation. ZZZZZZZZZZ

 

[Syncrowave]

Purchase a hermetically sealed special tube and have it purged with nitrogen. Then go take a nap. You must be tired from overthinking this situation. ZZZZZZZZZZ

That would probably work, certainly far better than (for example) giving it a coat of oil and putting it on a shelf, which rusted and pitted the barrel of a SS Ruger 22 I own...

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

 

[M-61]

Aside from the clean up.....PVC capped at one end, fitting for a removable plug at the other. Insert barrel and fill with oil, screw cap on. Store it standing with screw cap UP. This would really be for 'long term' as the clean out will also be 'long term'.

 

[mshelton]

Put a coat of Renaissance wax on it, and forget about it

+1

 

[butchlambert]

Well I never thought too much about it. I do have a roll around barrel box that has vertical holes cut in it. It will hold 35 barrels. I have a plywood cover that I slip over the top. I don't treat the barrels and some are over 25yrs old. I might need to treat them or throw them away.

 

[butchlambert]

They are still like new 8 more years later.

 

[AckleymanII]

I have some SS barrel blanks that have been sitting around for a long while, a few since 1990. Dirt dobblers are my major concern, but not concerned about rust.

Here in the South, I worry about chrome moly barrels, Hornady One shot and Frog lube are the best I have ever tested. I put a single barrel shotgun in my hay barn for six months with zero rust exposed to the elements inside the barn with doors open....Hornady one shot is an incredible product:

Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner 10oz Aerosol

Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner with Dyna Glide Plus reduces friction, cleans grit, grime, old oil and gunk from firearms, loaders and loading tools. It...

www.midwayusa.com

I wish I knew a source to purchase those little square boxes that barrel makers ship barrels in!

 

[FNSafari]

Renaissance wax

 

[SEM]

Tetra cleaner lubricant leaves a light polymer coating that does last a long time and a silicone treated gun sack, unless you will have high humidity then insert in a sealed tube would be the best better choice. I used to get rusty Hornady dies at the drop of a hat now I can leave them on the bench for months and no rust coated with the Tetra polymer, easy not much to clean up when you want to use it

 

[Dave M.]

I bought a replacement stainless barrel for a rifle I have, and want to store it, possibly for up to a few years, without it rusting, and was hoping someone could advise me.

For the bore, I ran a patch of Kroil through, then a patch with Oakite Special Protective Oil (this dries "dry" to the touch and creates a thin film that can be removed with mineral spirits), then, after the Oakite was dry, I ran a patch with some RIG grease through the bore.

My main concern is the outside of the barrel, since it has a polished finish. I coated it with Oakite and was considering wiping it down with a thin layer of RIG grease and then wrapping the whole barrel with Saran wrap or bubble wrap, but what concerns me is that, as I understand it, stainless steel depends on having oxygen around it to maintain its rust-resistant properties.

On the other hand, if I just wrap it with paper or cardboard, I'm concerned that the residual acid in the paper (added at the paper mill to improve drainage of the paper pulp) will attack the SS.

Does my plan (layer of Oakite under RIG grease under Saran wrap or bubble wrap) sound OK, or if not, is there a better way?

I don't want to worry this to death, but on the other hand, I don't want to go to use my barrel in a year or three and find that it has turned into a pig of rust.

Thanks for any advice.

Put a thin coating of kroil inside and outside of the barrel and then wrap the barrel loosely in VCI paper. We store SS parts for 3-5 years on the shelves like this at work.
Dave

 

[Bill K]

The triangle box/tube USPS has works just as well.

I wish I knew a source to purchase those little square boxes that barrel makers ship barrels in!