Need help restoring some guns (pics added)

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Chrasen

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Ok, so I just inherited a couple of my grandfathers guns. A model 88 .308 Winchester(66) and A model 94 30-30 (65). They need some work, but I want to keep them in good condition since they were my gramps. I am going to work on the 3030 first. Though I am new to this hobby. Is there any websites or advice you could give me to help me finish the stock and clean the few little rust spots. I will post pictures as I go

Thanks for the help
 
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Quite possibly you are better off to not restore them but to clean them lightly and go from there. Many guns, like other old furniture and items are better off and more valuable left in their original and natural state unless damaged.
I would suggest you post your pictures before you touch them and get a cross section of experience and opinions as your first step.
Possibly just rubbing your wood with teak oil or something similar will make a big improvement in it. For the rust spots you could soak them for a day or 2 with penetrating oil or furnace oil too soften the rust and then clean carefully with super fine steel wool. Go slow! .........but.....I'd still post the pics and get opinions from a handful of different people first.
 
I agree with the advice given so far that you should probably not undertake a restoration on these rifles if it is your first attempt and they are of importance to you. Having said that, the guns you have described have little collector value and it sounds like you wish to keep them so you may do as you wish. You should keep in mind that the 88 is difficult to disassemble (and even harder to reassemble) and that the basket-weave on the stock might make your first refinish job a little more difficult if you go that route. If it were me, I would just give them a thorough cleaning. I would give the stocks a good oiling and use very fine steel wool on any surface rust. Use 0000 grade with some oil and rub gently. I think you will be pleasantly surprised just how much better they look after a good cleaning. Keep us posted on your progress.
 
Thanks for the Advice.. After giving the 88 a good wipe down I have decided that needs no work really just a really good cleaning. As for the 94 It has a bit of rust and Im sure I can take care of that no issues, but the stock had an old butt pad/cover on and I took it off and Looks a bit bad.. Kind of like if you peel a sticker off and not all comes off. I will post pics tomorrow if I can find the camera.
 
The 88 is not difficult to tear down and clean.If you have an interest,and pay attention,you will make out fine.Good luck with the both of them.
 
Your getting some good advice here about leaving well enough alone. But if you wish to proceed with refinishing the stock on the M-94 as the pad has ruined the finish, it can be done relativily simply depending on how bad it is marked.

Don't dare use sand paper. You will cut through to the bare would plus take the fill out the pores in the wood. Without going into detail #0000 steel wool is the coursest abrasive you will need plus a wee bit of pure tung oil. Stock at present probably isn't shiny so you don't need anything with driers etc to give you gloss.

Anyways if your not handy and willing to give it a try it will all be a mute point regardless. Post some pictures if you can so the fellas can comment further.
 
Chrasen said:
Thanks for the Advice.. After giving the 88 a good wipe down I have decided that needs no work really just a really good cleaning. As for the 94 It has a bit of rust and Im sure I can take care of that no issues, but the stock had an old butt pad/cover on and I took it off and Looks a bit bad.. Kind of like if you peel a sticker off and not all comes off. I will post pics tomorrow if I can find the camera.
Click to expand...

Yea, if they're shootable load em up. Old guns look good - cause they're old...
 
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Theres what I am talking about the stock on the 94
 
Try rubbing the butt out with 0000 steel wool soaked in turpentine, then wipe down with clean rags. It may remove some of that staining. After it is good and dry, rub some boiled linseed oil into the butt, it may look half decent.
 
Steel wool as fine as you can find it for the rust spots but if it is just light surface rust maybe just oil the barrel. If you go to crazy you will rub the bluing off and then you are in for a world of hurt
 
The black staining comes from moisture and mildew under those old slip on recoil pads....(Bane on my existence...ban em...Now). No real way to remove the mildew and in essence rot in the wood without removal of wood...aka...sanding away the damaged wood.

To kill the mildew, you may want to try a little spot with some bleach first. Small area for testing. If it works then go get er!

So if you are ok with a little staining in the wood then by all means do a fine rub down with steel wool or very fine sand paper (300grit or so) using a wet sanding technique (dip and sand little pieces at a time with very light pressure, then rub off the residue). Yes, by all means stick with an oil finish. Wet sanding removes the old grime and present you with what is really underlying there.

Be sure to seal the butt plate area as well! Great old rifle to keep gramps proud! Good on ya for taking on the flame.
 
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The 88 I would clean up and then just use it.
The 94 I think I would strip the finish off and then oil her up.
Or try oiling the wood only.
These are tools of the trade, not glamor queens.
Oil and go......
And don't forget to looky up, smile and say thanks every now and agin..... :)
 
:) The .308 shoots well. I wasnt getting great groupings but I was shooting some old ass ammo and not quite used to the sights.. But still a good day, though my shoulder is killing me.. We also shot a mini 30, glock 17 and a mossy 500. Great day, will take the 3030 out next range day!
 
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