10/22 blued vs stainless barrel, any concerns with rusting?

G. Freeman · September 26, 2012, 11:44 AM

Hi Guys,
I bought a new Sts. Ruger 10/22 recently and really enjoy it. There was another 10/22 that caught my attention-- the Tactical Model FS (with muzzle brake).

I'd like to get one but I for one tend to shy away from blued guns/barrels. Does the bore of a blued gun require more cleaning and care than a stainless barrel? I want to prevent bore pitting as much as possible but don't want to have to scrub the bore any more than how I plan to maintain my stainless 10/22 (I plan to scrub the bore only when accuracy begins to suffer).

Do you give your blued Ruger 10/22 more care and cleaning compared to your stainless one?

The gun will be used mainly for target shooting only in dry conditions.

Thanks in advance!

Pahoo · September 26, 2012, 02:42 PM

As far as the bore, I am not very concerned either way or measure the difference between SS and blued. I have worked on both barrels that I don't think were ever cleaned and have never drug any signs of rust out of the bores. ....

Now, as far as external surfaces, I give both equal attention as the SS barrel can get rusty. I have actu ally seen what I call, rust worm holes. In fact, that holds true, for me on all SS barrels. ...

Be Safe !!!

Mobuck · September 26, 2012, 07:11 PM

Modern 22 bores are not prone to rusting even when not cleaned. The wax bullet lube coats the bore sealing out moisture. I leave a plain blued 22 in the barn year round and another in the pickup cab and there's no evidence of any rust or corrosion inside the bores.

G. Freeman · September 27, 2012, 03:21 PM

Would it matter at all that most of my shooting is with buck pack copper plated 22LR ammo?

Mostly Federal & Winchester. I don't know if the Remington bulk pack that I recently used (copper plated) has a small film of wax on it.

But the best ammo prices I've seen is still with the Federal Bulk Pack.

Pahoo · September 28, 2012, 10:22 AM

The 10/22's, have a reputation of being able to east just about any ammo with little or no negative results. So no, it should not make a difference. ..

However, I have had more than my share of problems with Federal Bulk packs as they are dirty, under-powered and accuracy is not consistant. Understand that Federal has more than one choice, on bulk packs with different colored boxes. ...

Be Safe !!!

September 26, 2012, 11:44 AM	#1
G. Freeman Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2001 Location: Walnut, California Posts: 155	10/22 blued vs stainless barrel, any concerns with rusting? Hi Guys, I bought a new Sts. Ruger 10/22 recently and really enjoy it. There was another 10/22 that caught my attention-- the Tactical Model FS (with muzzle brake). I'd like to get one but I for one tend to shy away from blued guns/barrels. Does the bore of a blued gun require more cleaning and care than a stainless barrel? I want to prevent bore pitting as much as possible but don't want to have to scrub the bore any more than how I plan to maintain my stainless 10/22 (I plan to scrub the bore only when accuracy begins to suffer). Do you give your blued Ruger 10/22 more care and cleaning compared to your stainless one? The gun will be used mainly for target shooting only in dry conditions. Thanks in advance!

September 26, 2012, 02:42 PM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	SS can and will rust. As far as the bore, I am not very concerned either way or measure the difference between SS and blued. I have worked on both barrels that I don't think were ever cleaned and have never drug any signs of rust out of the bores. .... Now, as far as external surfaces, I give both equal attention as the SS barrel can get rusty. I have actu ally seen what I call, rust worm holes. In fact, that holds true, for me on all SS barrels. ... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

September 28, 2012, 10:22 AM	#5
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Switching gears The 10/22's, have a reputation of being able to east just about any ammo with little or no negative results. So no, it should not make a difference. .. However, I have had more than my share of problems with Federal Bulk packs as they are dirty, under-powered and accuracy is not consistant. Understand that Federal has more than one choice, on bulk packs with different colored boxes. ... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

September 26, 2012, 07:11 PM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Modern 22 bores are not prone to rusting even when not cleaned. The wax bullet lube coats the bore sealing out moisture. I leave a plain blued 22 in the barn year round and another in the pickup cab and there's no evidence of any rust or corrosion inside the bores.

September 27, 2012, 03:21 PM	#4
G. Freeman Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2001 Location: Walnut, California Posts: 155	Would it matter at all that most of my shooting is with buck pack copper plated 22LR ammo? Mostly Federal & Winchester. I don't know if the Remington bulk pack that I recently used (copper plated) has a small film of wax on it. But the best ammo prices I've seen is still with the Federal Bulk Pack.