EssentIal CleanIng

LOCK, STOCK & BARREL

- Lee J. Hoots

There is a whole lot to like about rifles: the way one balances and feels in the hands and against the shoulder cherished inherited hand-me-downs from family members, lever actions that have a somewhat interesting history, fine walnut-stocked bolt actions, and repeatable accuracy. The list can go on and on, depending on a hunter’s taste.

A few personal examples include my late father’s 1958 Marlin Model 336 .30-30 carbine that spent much of its time in the mountains of Montana before I even knew it existed. Then there is the first rifle I took to Africa, a custom Remington Model 700 .270 Winchester built by High Tech Customs in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and third, a Remington Custom Shop Model 700 6.5 Remington Magnum that I was lucky enough to help craft.

Finally, this last one is just a basic Remington Model 722 .222 Remington (the grip checkered by the previous owner) with its original 26-inch barrel, iron sights, and aluminum buttplate. It also came with an old Weaver K10 scope.

All of the reasons listed above are important enough to see that each rifle, including non-heirlooms and rimfires, are taken care of. They should be stored in such a way that they are not subjected to moisture or periods of excessive heat. Most soft cases will allow the transfer of moisture.