Modern Gun Maintenance for Deer Hunting

Any hunter worth his or her salt knows that gun maintenance is synonymous with gun safety. But gun maintenance does more than just keep your firearm safe; it also helps to increase the life of your firearm not to mention improve its performance. Want to know more about how to maintain your hunting rifle like the pro’s? Look no further! Today Edenwood’s expert guides for Wisconsin whitetail hunts are sharing some top tips for modern gun maintenance. Read on to learn more.

 

How Does Gun Maintenance Help?

There are several reasons why maintenance is so strongly encouraged by hunting rifle manufacturers and experts. The key is to remember that – just like anything – wear and tear will happen. When it does, the effectiveness of your firearm will be compromised.

Regular maintenance can reduce wear and tear as well as improve long-term function in several ways:

• Decrease internal buildup (fouling residue) of carbon, lead and copper
• Stop rust from occurring
• Prevent serious problems such as failure to fire, eject or feed
• Helps an owner become more familiar with his/her firearm
• Keeps a firearm properly lubricated

Also, remember that maintenance is more than just cleaning. You’ll want to be sure to read up on your manufacturer’s specifications to see what they recommend for your unique firearm. Pay special attention to details about storage requirements and approved brands of gun oil.

 

Tools Needed for Gun Maintenance

One of the best ways to keep routine gun maintenance simple is to keep all the necessary tools organized and stored in a convenient location. Having everything you need in one place will make your set up and cleanup process quick and simple. The quicker and simpler this is, the more likely you will keep up with doing it on a regular basis.

Be sure you have the following on hand:

• Bristled brush
• Cleaning rod and attachment(s)
• Brass jag
• Cotton swabs
• Gun oil
• Cleaning solvent
• Paper towel or cloth
• Flat space to work on and a mat to lay everything out on
• Organizer with divided sections to keep small pieces from “walking away”

If you are a beginner or just prefer to have access to the best of the best, consider investing in an all-in-one universal gun cleaning kit. A cleaning kit is a great solution to storage, organization and high quality tools, especially if you aren’t quite sure what brands you prefer just yet.

 

Gun Cleaning Tips

When you clean, be sure to work on a flat surface. We also highly recommend using a mat that will protect your surface from the chemicals and oil used in the cleaning process. Another helpful tool you may want to invest in is an organizer with divided sections. This can be helpful in keeping small pieces from “walking off” while you are cleaning.

It’s also a good idea to have your hunting rifle professionally cleaned on a regular basis. We recommend every year or so, depending on how often you use it. This will ensure that everything is in working order as well as restore it to near factory condition. If you have a guided hunt booked on one of Edenwoods deer hunting preserves, consider getting your rifle professionally cleaned a few weeks before that time for optimal functioning.

 

What NOT to Do

No self-respecting gun maintenance blog would be complete without a few tips about what not to do. Even if those of us who have been hunting for a lifetime still appreciate a few good reminders from time to time.

• Never begin with a loaded gun
• Do not store your ammunition and maintenance/cleaning supplies in the same safe as your firearm; have a dedicated, separate locked space
• Do not ignore cracks or other signs of wear and tear
• Do not put your hunting rifle into storage wet – always take the time to wipe it dry thoroughly

 

Wisconsin Whitetail Hunts

We have a wide variety of ladders and hang on stands for the hunter who enjoys a more challenging adventure. Edenwood caters to all hunting styles – we can customize your hunt package to fit your individual needs and wants. Edenwood offers high fence hunts with our own self-sustaining herds of Whitetail, Fallow and Elk. For those of you who have never experienced this type of trophy hunting bring your camera and even an observer to share your wonderful experience. Give Edenwood a chance to help you bag your next trophy and we will win your hearts. We treat you like family!