Water in the barrel?

[Lucky6547]

How detrimental is having water droplets from rain or condensation in the barrel?
Thanks,
Ken

 

[dkhunt14]

If it gets on the case that is bad. The water causes the case to have no room and it is like hydraulics. No where to go and pressure goes up. Matt

 

[XTR]

There are a couple of bad things that happen when you get water in there.

I haven't seen it but I have read that water in the bore can result in damage, but as as above, I haven't seen it.

What I have seen and experienced is water in the chamber.

Water in the chamber presents two issues. One is that it acts as lubricant, when fired the case expands but it can't grab the chamber walls so you get greatly increased bolt thrust, the kind where it can be beyond sticky with obvious ejector marks from loads that should not do that. The chamber pressure isn't going up, just the manner in which it is manifest.

Second in the chamber if there is enough to form droplets they won't compress so you can get dented/collapsed shoulders when the water is pushed up into the front.

 

[CharlieNC]

Put a piece of tape over the muzzle and no more worries.

 

[Preacher]

You also need to remember that bringing a rifle in and out of the house over night when it's cold will cause condensation to form in the barrel..
It will also be found in the chamber and it will cause problems....

 

[mikeinct]

Keep your hunting rifle or shotgun in a good quality case..If you go from extreme cold into a warm house..Allow some time to slowly come up to room temp before opening...This reduces that condensation effect...mike in ct

 

[savagedasher]

I always left mine in the car when it was cold.
If it was raining I carried it muzzle down . Finger protector work great . Larry

 

[NorCalMikie]

You also need to remember that bringing a rifle in and out of the house over night when it's cold will cause condensation to form in the barrel..

When you pull a rifle out of the case and it's DRIPPING WET, you know you've got problems.
Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. In that case, WD 40 is your friend. Hose it down, wipe it off and re oil it with your favorite gun oil.

 

[yotehater]

Muzzle down. I keep them in the safe the same way where oil won't migrate to the chamber or bedding. I tried the foam ear plugs thinking it would blow out from pressure but upon inspection they bullet hits them before they are blown clear.

 

[KMart]

I wouldn't do this myself, but these fools did.

 

[KMart]

Then there is this. Go to about 1min 58 sec.

 

[stacy]

When you pull a rifle out of the case and it's DRIPPING WET, you know you've got problems.
Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. In that case, WD 40 is your friend. Hose it down, wipe it off and re oil it with your favorite gun oil.

NO WD-40 IT WATER BASED ITS NOT MY FRIEND !!

 

[John Russell]

NO WD-40 IT WATER BASED ITS NOT MY FRIEND !!

It is not water based - it is a hydrocarbon solvent with a small amount of stuff in it that stays behind when the solvent evaporates.

 

[stacy]

It is not water based - it is a hydrocarbon solvent with a small amount of stuff in it that stays behind when the solvent evaporates.

THANK YOU SIR I STAND CORRECTED !

 

[Preacher]

It is also a water displacement product, and works well at it's intended purpose...

 

[NorCalMikie]

In most circles, folks think that WD 40 is "CRAP" as far as a gun oil BUT, it will drive out moisture from places that you can't see or get to. Even drive out moisture from electrical panels. Hose everything down, wipe off the excess then go back and lube with your favorite gun oil. In this case, WD 40 IS your friend.

 

[284winner]

I wouldn't do this myself, but these fools did.

Interesting. We've shot many Glocks under water using fmj ammo during training time in armorer's school. Trainers indicated ONLY use fmj ammo for this lesson as hollow point ammo MAY open up prior to exiting the barrel causing an explosion under water. Water is a great buffer for explosion protection but my nads never dropped enough to try this lesson with hollow points. I'd say that it applies to rifles as well. Not drops of water but submerging the complete barrel and action. I've had several occasions where water from snow and rain coated the inside of my barrel. Didn't seem to affect the guns function. I do use black tape since to cover the muzzle. Makes less work of cleaning.

 

[284winner]

Years ago I heard of a situation where someone thought screwing on a muzzle brake style cap on their barrel to keep water out may work. They copied threading the piece on without the brake side holes and no bore hole. Just a cap to keep out precipitation. That worked out really well until after a few days of hunting before getting a shot, he totally forgot about the cap being on the barrel. Well, he survived but his barrel and most of the rifle did not. What saved his life was his blind that he shot out of. His shooting port was small and protected him from the explosion. Action damage did cause hand and slight facial injury. His comment after the incident was " I never thought I'd forget to remove it !" Famous last words. I had photos but cannot find them to post. Don't get that obsessed with a little water in your gun barrel. Rain doesn't add up to much of an issue. Tape or a barrel condom is a better option.

 

[XTR]

Finger Cots, they run about $5.50 per gross

 

[284winner]

Finger Cots, they run about $5.50 per gross

Same thing. That's the cheaper hospital version of the actual barrel cot. Unless you care if they are black.