How to go about Getting Rust off an old Weaver B4 scope

[AngryPossum]

So I've slowly been putting together an old Mossberg 46b bolt action .22 that my dad gave to me. We never fired it...I remember it always being in the rafters in the shed. My dad misplaced the bolt years ago and kind of forgot all about the rifle.

A year ago or so my dad brought up the rifle from home and gave it to me...still missing the bolt. (I'm slowly acquiring all the toys...I guess he is starting with the Junk first....hopefully soon the p7m13, colt 1911's, etc.)

Well about a month ago He called me and said he found the bolt burried in his shed. Once I got it I took it apart and noticed it had no firing pin. I ordered one from havlinsales.com and it should be here within the week I hope.

Anyways sorry for the long intro. The scope on the rifle is a Weaver B4 with a plain mount with a stamp "N2". I don't know anything about the mount, but I like those old weaver scopes. The finish on it is still great, but it does have a bunch of very small rust spots. I've never messed with scopes before and I'm afraid to take it apart and clean it.

How would you guys go about cleaning the rust off? Will fine Bronze wool and some wd40 scratch the blueing? Any thoughts about how to go about this or info you guys might have on the weaver B4 with the "N2" stamped mount would be great. I'll try to get a few pics up this Saturday or maybe sooner. Thanks.

[rjf]

If the scope is blued, the bronze wool and wd40 or other oil should work fine. Start in a hidden area in case the scratches the finish.

[Interloper]

I would try cheap paper towels and Vaseline first. I recently cleaned up a rusty Berthier with bronze wool and motor oil and it didn't harm the bluing but I'm not so sure about a scope. Like rjf said try an inconspicuous area first.
I had the darnedest time finding bronze wool. I eventually bought if from Amazon.

[mjsweims]

Start with something non-abrasive - patch and WD-40. Slowly work up into the abrasives. And yes, as the other post say, start in a hidden area.

[AngryPossum]

I would try cheap paper towels and Vaseline first. I recently cleaned up a rusty Berthier with bronze wool and motor oil and it didn't harm the bluing but I'm not so sure about a scope. Like rjf said try an inconspicuous area first.
I had the darnedest time finding bronze wool. I eventually bought if from Amazon.

I had to order it online as well. Milsurp collecter pointed me to these guys. http://www.briwax-online.com/brswool.html

I had the bronze wool in hand 2-4 days after I ordered. I can't remember exactly how long it took, but I was very impressed how fast I got it. Thanks for the info I'll probably try it out this weekend.

[rjf]

Kind of late but try the Dollar Store for bronze wool pot scrubbers.

[AngryPossum]

Should I stay away from disassembling the scope?

[Mike A]

Ya, you should NOT disassemble the scope itself. The N Mount is simple and easily re-assembled.

I agree with the Bronze Wool and light oil treatment for the bluiing; I use Kroil and the finest bronze wool; works great--no bluing is removed. My TrueValue Hardware in Seal Beach stocks bronze wool in three weights.

[AngryPossum]

I have some fine bronze wool...I'm planning on trying to atack it this weekended along with installing the new firing pin for the 46b.