Bolt Handle Rust Question

[olwhiskeyleg]

Let me start off by saying this might be a dumb newbie question but I have concluded that I am in fact a dumb newbie. So I have a (fairly) recently purchased Savage Axis in .270 that I've put about 60 rounds through. After returning from vacation and opening my safe to go back out to the range I noticed there was rust building up on my bolt handle and small amounts on the magazine. Thankfully it doesn't look like any is on the actual bolt itself just the handle. After research I came to the conclusion that it is probably the oils and acids from my hands that I failed to clean off. I have heard one should apply a light coat of gun oil to prevent this from happening. Now my question is, would Hoppes lubricating oil work for this purpose or do I need something else? Also what type of substance/tool should I use to remove the rust already there?

Thanks for any help and sorry again if I sound dumb.

[JMP]

Keep your bolt lubricated with some grease. As far as the bolt handle goes, that really doesn't sound right unless you were shooting in the beach or it's being exposed to some corrosive agent. Is it possible that you left it exposed to a cleaning solvent? With just your hand, metal surfaces on firearms shouldn't be oxidizing in your safe after a short period of time. Look to make sure that metals of similar materials are okay. To get the rust off, use an anti-rust solvent/lubricant or polish and wipe it off and clean the handle. You don't lubricate the bolt knob or it would impede your usage as it would be slippery and make it difficult to quickly cycle the bolt. You probably exposed it to something much more corrosive than natural oil from your hands.

[CobraRed]

Keep your bolt lubricated with some grease. As far as the bolt handle goes, that really doesn't sound right unless you were shooting in the beach or it's being exposed to some corrosive agent. Is it possible that you left it exposed to a cleaning solvent? With just your hand, metal surfaces on firearms shouldn't be oxidizing in your safe after a short period of time. Look to make sure that metals of similar materials are okay. To get the rust off, use an anti-rust solvent/lubricant or polish and wipe it off and clean the handle. You don't lubricate the bolt knob or it would impede your usage as it would be slippery and make it difficult to quickly cycle the bolt. You probably exposed it to something much more corrosive than natural oil from your hands.

It happens to my savage 10 as well. When I store it I just rub some gun oil on it, when I go to use it I wipe it down with a rag first. Have no adverse effects as of yet, and I've often run that rig pretty hard n dirty

[Fjold]

Some people's sweat is more acidic than others. Always wipe the blue metal down after use with oil. Hoppe's oil (not powder solvent) will work fine.

[dskit]

Do you live near the ocean? That will do it too.

Also, if it really bugs you, a replacement savage handle is cheap.

And to answer your question: "Should I oil my firearms to prevent rust" the answer is "yes".

[JMP]

Okay, perhaps I was incorrect. I may need to check some of my guns to see that they haven't rusted closed. I'd hate to have a nondetachable mag on a bolt rifle.

[olwhiskeyleg]

Ok thanks. To answer some questions yes I do right on the coast. I also changed climates rather dramatically, from 100+ degree dry heat to a foggy, coastal region. It also sat without oil or any type of treatment on the bolt handle for a little over a month. As far as the other metal surfaces go it's just the bolt handle and feeding lips of the magazine, all the internals appear fine.

Also thanks Fjold, I wanted to make sure the Hoppes lubricating oil would work and not actually cause more damage