Safari truck gun care?

Last year I went to the RSA on a 7 day plains game safari and because of physical limitations, most of that was done from the back of a safari truck. While that safari was wildly successful I did not use my own rifles. I used the PH's 7x57 and I noticed that this rifle to a hell of a beating while hanging in the outside gun rack day after day. Specifically, that fine African red dirt covered the guns and must have gotten into everything on a daily basis. Since I am taking my own rifles next year, how can I keep them clean and lubed at the end of each day? Red dirt and oil mixed together seems like a problem looking for a place to happen. What say you? Thanks...

GaryO

Fitst thing you need to do is purchase a Very good soft gun case...Boyt make some...i ship my rifle in the soft bag in the hard case with the bolt removed and in the side pouch...

While in the truck, i rifles and the Ph's rifles were in cases and zipped close...when we stoped the vehicles i was by a few seconds to un zip the bag and take your rifle out. and re zib the bag to keep dust out...

Tak a gun wipe rag that is sold and do not use prior to leaving on your safari and leave in camp when you leave for the PH to use...

I take a small cleaning zip lock bag with small oil, greese, and the brushes and rods you need and i leave it alll with the camp...

I do not use a soft gun case. That is something else I don't have to mess with when I'm in a hurry to get off the truck for that shot that is there now and gone while I'm trying to get my rifle out of the case. James' advice was sound otherwise. I take a silicone impregnated gun cloth and an Otis cleaning kit. Every evening I wipe down with the gun cloth and if it's wet or really bad, I might pull a swab through the barrel. That "dust" isn't really a concern of mine as long as I don't overlubricate and keep the action closed.

I'm pretty much with Pancho. I take a Bore snake to pull through the barrel each morning in case of small insects getting into it. I also take an old style shaving brush to flick off the dust and keep lube to a minimum. You can use graphite powder for lube but it is a dirty substitute.

If your rifle has really tight tolerances then you will need a full cleaning kit and time at night to clean it.

For my nice doubles I wrap them in that camo tape wrap from cabelas. Then I slip the gun in a silicone gun sock or the boyt gun sleeve. My old 375 I just hang in the rack and check the barrel each morning. That dust looks bad but it has never caused me any trouble.

GaryO,
i have seen this method of gun-racks on vehicles here all over Namibia as well - numerous times the guide / land-owner suggested i place my rifle in such a rack whilst we drive to the hunting area - but i refuse politely and keep it in hand.
I have noticed that en-route to the hunting area the racked guns (owner / guide) does not touch the vehicle at all but... going through holes or on a bad farm road, etc. do cause the rifles to swing and bounce too much for my liking, and i for one spend too much time zeroing my scope before hunts to jeopordise all the preperation and piece of mind with a 25-30 minute drive to the hunting area with my rifle in a vehicle mounted gun rack.

By holding the rifle in hand whilst driving to the hunting area - it also do collect fine powder dust. With my mounted scope covers and lock mechanism closed - the dust gathers on the outside only which is inevitable when the rifle is not transported in an enclosed cover as some members commented - the dust however does not bother me as i brush my rifles with a paint brush (part of my c/kit) every night after the days hunt. IMO as long as dust do not enter the loading mechanism and excessively gathers on your scope lenses you should really be fine.

That gun-racks on vehicles - not for me thanks.

GaryO,
There is nothing wrong about looking after your rifle, but I sincerely hope that by lubricating, you dont mean the inside of the barrel. Adding a thin film of oil inside the barrel by rod and cloth is fine for when the rifle will stand in the safe for a while. But oiling the barrel every night after hunting will only cause problems. A "clean" barrel causes most rifles to firstly shoot a fouling shot, which is mostly left and high. For this reason, I always shoot a couple of shots through the clean barrel, before sighting any of my rifles at the range. After the range session, the rifle will be used in the same state for the hunt to follow.
Never enter a hunt with a clean barrel.

Best Regards
Marius Goosen
KMG Hunting Safaris

my p.h. had a piece made for the butts of the rifle on the bed of the truck and another was mounted behind the cab to hold the barrels. the guns were transported verticle and were held in place very securely. this was a great idea.

I always put the rifle in a soft gun slip, ideally with a full zip which helps speeds up access.
A wipe down with a polishing cloth with Ballistol oil every evening with a Bore snake run through every few days works for me.

If you are in a place that is dry and dusty, oil becomes more of a liability than an asset. Here in North Carolina, it is so humid that everything rusts and must be oiled to prevent it. In a dry climate, that is not a big concern and oil just makes the dust stick better. Keep the lenses of the scope covered when possible, keep the action closed, and don't worry about the dust. It is an aesthetic problem, not a functional one. You can brush it off every night, but it will be back on about 2 minutes after you leave in the morning anyway. I've never bothered, but a small piece of tape over the muzzle will keep dust and bugs out.

It took me a while before I learned to stop treating my rifle like a piece of delicate fine art and to start treating it like a weapon, but Africa is relentless and eventually, you will decide what battles are worth fighting or not. Keeping the dust off my rifle became one that was not worth fighting.

Originally Posted by Bert the Turtle

If you are in a place that is dry and dusty, oil becomes more of a liability than an asset. Here in North Carolina, it is so humid that everything rusts and must be oiled to prevent it. In a dry climate, that is not a big concern and oil just makes the dust stick better. Keep the lenses of the scope covered when possible, keep the action closed, and don't worry about the dust. It is an aesthetic problem, not a functional one. You can brush it off every night, but it will be back on about 2 minutes after you leave in the morning anyway. I've never bothered, but a small piece of tape over the muzzle will keep dust and bugs out.

It took me a while before I learned to stop treating my rifle like a piece of delicate fine art and to start treating it like a weapon, but Africa is relentless and eventually, you will decide what battles are worth fighting or not. Keeping the dust off my rifle became one that was not worth fighting.

I have almost always kept my rifles in soft cases when in the truck or on the back. It only takes a second to take it out when you get off or out of the truck. On a few occasions years ago when hunting ranches I would hold the rifle uncased in my hands. But I see no need for that and most places and PH's with the exception of a few dont allow shooting from the truck. I agree with that. I understand some hunters have a physical impairment that does not allow them to walk and I have no issue with that either, everyone should have the chance to hunt as best they can. I do not ever put oil on my bolt guns and very sparingly on my double as it attracts dust and grime. I carry one of those silicone wipe down rags and give my rifles a wipe down every night, as much to check to make sure the screws are all tight as anything. I also carry a cheap cleaning kit "which I usualy give away at the end of the hunt to the PH" and of course some oil. I have been caught in the rain a couple of times. But after cleaning I wipe off as much of the oil as I can. I also carry a good screw driver kit and and some spare screws, a spare extractor, and few times a spare scope. I have never needed any of that myself but have helped out a few other guys along the way, including a couple of PH's. One more thing a few years ago I bought a Tuffpac it is the best money I ever spent on a gun case.