Which gun to bring on first deer hunt in the rain?

[Bear2000]

I know this is a stupid question, I'm sure, but I'm going deer hunting for the first time tomorrow and it will probably be in the rain. I have two rifles I can bring.

1) My new Tikka Hunter (wood) 6.5x55mm Swede. Bushell 4200 3x9-40, 140 gr SPs. I got this gun specifically for deer hunting.

2) My Tikka .308 Varmint (plastic stock) with heavy barrel, Bushnell 4200 6-24x40, 150 gr SPs. This gun is heavier (8 vs 6.5 lbs), but will certainly do the job It's stainless and has a plastic stock.

Shots will be at 100-200 yards, and both rifles are very accurate, with the nod going to the .308.

Guess the question is: will sitting in rain all day with my new Tikka hunter 6.5 damage it? I really wanted to use it.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

It matters not in the least, accuracy-wise, the fact that it will be raining. Take whichever one you hit better with under field conditions.

Is the Tikka in 6.5 a stainless bbl/action? Is the wood regular or laminated?

 

[skinewmexico]

That's why I don't buy tools with wood stocks any more. But if the barrel channel it waterproofed, it probably won't hurt it.

 

[justice4all]

How much rain? If it's really coming down, it will affect visibility, so you'll be looking at closer shots, where you don't want a six power scope.

 

[Art Eatman]

I'd go with the 3x9, just for the field of view. I'd just use a garbage bag as weather protection on the way to a stand.

Sneaky snake walking? Do the best you can to protect the scope lenses, and have plenty of Kleenex to dry them. Otherwise, don't worry about it. Maybe spray some WD40 as initial protection.

After the hunt, liberal spraying with WD40 will drive off the water so you don't get rust started. Protect the scope lenses, of course. After you get home you can take things apart and do a proper cleanup.

I've never hunted in heavy rain, but plenty of mists, drizzles and sprinkles. The WD40 never hurt anything, for sure, and I have a couple of rifles that are over 30 years old with no rust on them...

 

[rcmodel]

You can also wax the snot out of it with Johnsons Paste Floor Wax.

Rain will just bead up and run off of it.

Might want to keep the scope covered as long as possible, as Art suggested.
But hey! That's what they make scope covers for!

I also totally agree that a 6-24x40 scope has no business at all in the deer woods!

rcmodel

 

[moosehunt]

Be careful with the WD-40. Don't overdo it, because it has the potential to penetrate the primer cup and inactivate the primer. No problem as long as you don't over use it. Because of the rain, much as I dislike plastic, I'd take it. Keep the scope on 6X, you'll do fine. Whatever you take, in the evening you need to COMPLETELY strip the gun down, take apart everything that can be taken apart--everything! Wipe down with quality oil, then wipe dry, properly lubricate and put back together. If you must take the wood stock, then rub every bit of surface, inside and out, with wax, a good coating before you go out.

 

[Bear2000]

Hi.

Thanks, I'm going to bring the Tikka Hunter (wood) 6.5x55 and just try to keep it dry. We'll see if the Rainguard on the Bushnell elites is worth what it's cracked up to be. But you're right, the 6x24 is a bit much, even though it is my only stainless rifle.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Yeah, that's the best idea. You can wipe it off good at the end of the day back at camp, and when you get home, just wipe it and oil it good, and it will be fine! Good luck!

 

[skinewmexico]

The wax idea was a good one.

 

[CSA 357]

I have never done good deer hunting in the rain, after is a differnt story, i have guns that i would rather not use in the rain, but if im out there they are too! Clean and oil them good and you will be fine, good luck! Csa

 

[35 Whelen]

Bear, I think you're making a good choice with the Tikka. Just make sure you have a scope cover. I cut sections out of old truck intertubes and stretch them over the scope. They're 100% watertight, pop off easily and best of all, they're free!
Also, remember: before your wood stock was a wood stock, it was a tree than got wet all the time! I'd suggest that after season you ensure the barrel is free-floated then if the stock happens to bend a little because it got wet, it's no big deal. And a blued rifle isn't just waiting to rust at the first hint of rain contrary to popular belief. During our annual elk hunt this year, the ONLY night Dad and I decide to spend the night on the mountain, it rains...and rains, and rains. Our rifles got soaked to the nth degree. Mines a Mauser in a synthetic stock and the metal is Parkerized, so it was no big deal. But Dad happened to be carrying his Rem. 700 Classic 35 Whelen....that'd be the Classic with the blued barrel and walnut stock. But, no harm, no foul. He got his bull on Sunday morning. I wasn't able to disassemble his rifle and clean it until almost a week later. Still, no rust anywhere!
35W

 

[Art Eatman]

Moosehunt: Re WD40, Spray. Before. Loading.

 

[moosehunt]

That's rather obvious! Still, overdoing it can leave enough of the stuff to potentially cause a problem regarding primer, and be sure, many a fellow thinks that if a little of this stuff is good, more must be better. I'm rather anti-WD-40 on firearms in the first place. I see it abused a lot. Many use it as a lubricant and general douch, which it's not. It dries and leaves a residue that builds up over time. Many the time WD-40 gunk has stopped up proper function of a shooter. But I guess it's OK--guy comes and pays me to do a simple repair, i.e. cleaning! Have a good day!

 

[PotatoJudge]

I've used something like this since I spent a drizzly afternoon fighting my scope while squirrel hunting:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=198775&t=11082005

I just pop it open when I get ready (in a dry stand, when I see game). I figure some day I'll pull the rifle to my shoulder and forget the cap, so I got the clear cover. It makes things hazy and wavy, but not so bad it'd cost me a shot.

Otherwise, just clean the gun inside and out after a rainy hunt and you'll be fine.

 

[Rmart30]

That's why I don't buy tools with wood stocks any more.

+ 1 on that and add to it no more blued for me, stainless only.

 

[Bear2000]

Well, just got back from my first deer hunt in Halifax County, NC - 8 hours in the rain, two tree stands, no deer seen, great time - totally relaxing experience. I'm sure a few walked by while I was napping!

I took the fun home, wiped it down, coated all exposed metal parts with Break Free, cleaned the barrel, and put some break free down it as well for good measure. Bolt got gun grease. Hopefully that will keep the rust away.

Can't wait to go back again for another go it.

 

[High Tower]

If I was huntng in a stand in the rain I would use a poncho and keep my rifle covered. I have hunted in the rain using stalking as my method. Actually it rained after I was already out in the field. For myself, I don't like to do that. Visibility sucks and your boots feel like they weigh 20 pounds with all the mud that sticks to them. In the future I won't hunt in the rain. I enjoy myself when I hunt but not in the rain.

 

[moooose102]

taKe the wood tikka hunter. rifles were not ment for sunshine only days. hunters have been using wood stocked rifles for 300 + years in the rain. nobody ever worried about it. i still do not. the only synthetic stocked rifle i own is my muzzle loader. and if you think i am going to take that for regular firearm season, you are nutsy kookoo. besides, a 6-24 scope has no business deer hunting in the WOODS!