weatherproofing your shotgun for hunting

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In my searching out for a new duck and goose gun (see thread "thoughts on a waterfowl shotgun") I've narrowed down the choice between a SBEII (camo & synthetic) or a Browning Cynergy Classic Field 3.5 (blued & wood).

I have never hunted the salt chucks around our area but there is a good possibility that I will. Usually my hunting finds me in a marsh and sometimes in a field. My question is how do you go about preparing your shotgun for a foul weather fowl hunt?

I keep hearing stories of guys going out in our local waters and their guns turning brown before their eyes and want to know how much of a premium to put on a synthetic, camo dipped gun vs the effort to keep an traditional O/U rust free in rough weather and salt spray.
 
I have found myself in that same problem before. I agree with the carnuba wax, and have used it before on my benelli. It works quite well. As a second defence I would suggest "rust-check" Its a spray that goes on fairly thick & even, its perfect for a quick "rust-proofing shot" in the field. It may not be a pretty fix, but its a cheap one that works. I think it even tells you on the can that it displaces moisture? You can pick up a spray can of rust-check at C-tire for the $7-$9 range I think.
 
Sounds like you're going to be hunting in the Boundary Bay/Ladner area. Have you considered a Beretta Xtrema 2 with aqua tek?

You got it! I usually hunt the Pitt Marsh and some local fields but friends have been venturing out that way and I'd like to join them!

I haven't looked too closely at the Extrema 2 because it felt heavy compared to the other guns. However, it does have quite the following. What exactly is the aqua-tek coating anyways?
 
You got it! I usually hunt the Pitt Marsh and some local fields but friends have been venturing out that way and I'd like to join them!

I haven't looked too closely at the Extrema 2 because it felt heavy compared to the other guns. However, it does have quite the following. What exactly is the aqua-tek coating anyways?

You comin into me huntin grounds? :) where you planning on going?
 
give it a couple of sloppy treatments inside and out with clp a few days before you go...that is a good start..but it will take more extreme measures for extended exposure...rust check, vaseline etc.

Break Free has a 'collector' product which is for long term storage, corrosin protection..up to five years.

There is also a 'LP' product that is one of the products in the corrosion/rust experiment that was linked/discussed here last month. I use all three, CLP for cleaning and one of the others for a wipe down, or pre-bush excurion. Works so far.
 
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I have been hunting in just such scenarios for 14 years or so. Just a good cleaning at the end of the unt and gun oil is all I use. The only time I ever had a problem was leaving a gun in it's case over night but even then, fine steel wool and oil and everything was fine.

My buddy has a Citori 3.5" that he takes the stock off every time it sees "fowl" weather just make sure to tighten the nut properly when you reassemble, his stock was loose one day and split.

I have yet to remove the stock on my Citori or My browing gold, both are wood and both are rust free.
 
I use Sheath on the metal and tung/teak oil on the wood of my 870 express, but sometimes Fluid Film on the metal parts.

I strip it right down, dry it off, oil it and reassemble after every wet outing.
 
Just be careful with some oils, especially penetrating oils.

I bought some Suzuki brand penetrating oil on a friends advice, worked great, cleaned the gun and lubed it. But it also removed all of the gold lettering from the gun.
 
....What exactly is the aqua-tek coating anyways?

From the Beretta website:
Aqua Technology is the name given to the exclusive special surface and protective treatments that are applied to the metal parts of the new Beretta A391 Xtrema2 shotgun.
The steel barrel is chrome-plated inside to withstand the rigors of steel shot. The external surface of the barrel is first blued and then covered that an exclusive protective coating which remarkably increases its resistance to corrosion. The receiver is made of black anodized aluminum alloy and also boasts the same protective coating. All the internal parts are either nickel or chrome plated, or they are protected by a special process based on a ionic deposition which impregnates the surfaces with ceramic compounds and metals (e.g. Titanium, Chrome) guaranteeing a great resistance to wear and corrosion.
 
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