Wooden gun rack.

[emilianoksa]

I´m building a wooden cabinet with an upright rifle rack, and was wondering what material is best for lining the cutout recesses of the cross bar which secure the rifle barrels.

I know some people use strips of felt, but wondered if this might soak up too much of the thin coating of preservative oil I keep on external parts during routine storage, leaving the area of contact susceptible to rust in a humid climate.

I thought about thin strips of rubber or leather as an alternative, but then wondered if the chemicals in treated leather would react with the blueing over time.

I live in Lima, Peru, by the way, which is on the coast and therefore pretty damp during the winter and sticky in the summer.

Of course a metal cabinet with foam inserts would be better, but I can´t get one over here.

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

I say go with the felt.

Rubber will degrade over time and leave a sticky mess on your barrel. Leather is full of salt-based tanning compounds and will attract moisture like a sponge.

 

[emilianoksa]

Thank you, Mojo.

 

[Cannonball888]

I used green felt. You can get a 8" x 11" sheet with an adhesive back from Wallyworld for under 50 cents.

 

[hoghunting]

I sanded the wood and finished it with polyurethane. I didn't add any strips to the racks as the wood hasn't scratched any of my gun finishes, and my rifles have been in wood stocks for years without any damage.

 

[moooose102]

+1 for felt. in a short time, it will absorb enough of the oil to saturate it enough that it will no longer take it from the barrel. just re apply oil for a month or so as needed, then it will be a done deal. p.s. you may want to think about epoxying the felt to the wood. this will seal and seperate the two, so the oil can not migrate to the wood.

 

[CZguy]

Darn good idea.

p.s. you may want to think about epoxying the felt to the wood. this will seal and seperate the two, so the oil can not migrate to the wood.

That's a darn good idea, thanks for sharing it.

 

[Horsemany]

I've seen cabinets with two white plastic pins. This works better than felt since it doesnt absorb anything from the barrel. I would geuss plastic thumbtacks could work just as well.

One way to get around the felt is use a dry wax based preservative in storage. Gunslick guns seal, Birchwood Casey Barricade, or Eezox all dry in seconds and the felt doesn't leave any marks. Everything I mentioned protects from rust better than oil too. I've done dozens of corrosion tests.

 

[Shawnee]

Don't be bashful, Emilia..., post some pics of the cabinet you're building.

 

[TAB]

Cork is also a good choice.

 

[HeadlandRam]

I really don't have any suggestions but I have to show mine off,