Pack Rubbbing Finish off Rifle

[Professor]

Until last year I hunted with a rifle in a Hogue Overmolded Stock or a Tikka with a factory stock so this was not an issue. Last year I hunted with a Ruger Hawkeye in a painted MPI stock and my cordura pack rubbed the finish off my stock. I am sure I am not the 1st to experince this. What solutions have y'all come up with to protect your stock finish.

 

[hand skills]

A few coats of clear with a can of satin polyurethane from the hardware store

 

[Professor]

A few coats of clear with a can of satin polyurethane from the hardware store

That will hold up to the cordura? I assume I need to recoat every so often?

 

[Mike Islander]

Rifles are a consumable item. I wouldn't do anything.

 

[PanhandlinPat]

As hand skills said get some matte clear coat to protect stock paint. Done that for years on old fiberglass McMillans and the like. Or just let it wear and admire the character you gave it.

 

[Professor]

Thanks,

I will get some clear coat this week.

 

[hand skills]

That will hold up to the cordura? I assume I need to recoat every so often?

Yup, it's really tough stuff if you prep the surface correctly (degrease and givr a light sanding)

Rifles are a consumable item. I wouldn't do anything.

Barrels maybe, but stocks and actions?

I respectfully disagree.

 

[Mike Islander]

Yup, it's really tough stuff if you prep the surface correctly (degrease and givr a light sanding)


Barrels maybe, but stocks and actions?

I respectfully disagree.

To each his own. No shade on preservation. But a painted stock holds no preservation value for me. That's just me.

 

[mtnbound]

Until last year I hunted with a rifle in a Hogue Overmolded Stock or a Tikka with a factory stock so this was not an issue. Last year I hunted with a Ruger Hawkeye in a painted MPI stock and my cordura pack rubbed the finish off my stock. I am sure I am not the 1st to experince this. What solutions have y'all come up with to protect your stock finish.

The smart ass in me says, you are carrying it strapped to your pack too much, carry it in your hand and it won’t be an issue. That being said it sounds like the rifle is moving too much while it’s strapped down, I would look to make it more stable, it’s going to keep rubbing the finish off and possibly damage your pack if it continues to move.

 

[flyfisher117]

I would be more worried about the rifle rubbing a hole in my pack.

Clear coat will slow down the wear but it’s still going to happen. You’ll be reapplying it every so often and where it doesn’t rub you’ll stay to see extra build up.

Painted stocks look better with some character.

 

[Professor]

I would be more worried about the rifle rubbing a hole in my pack.

Clear coat will slow down the wear but it’s still going to happen. You’ll be reapplying it every so often and where it doesn’t rub you’ll stay to see extra build up.

Painted stocks look better with some character.

Not my pack. Its a Frontier Gear Of Alaska Moose Pack on a Freighter Frame.

 

[Professor]

The smart ass in me says, you are carrying it strapped to your pack too much, carry it in your hand and it won’t be an issue. That being said it sounds like the rifle is moving too much while it’s strapped down, I would look to make it more stable, it’s going to keep rubbing the finish off and possibly damage your pack if it continues to move.

I have to cover some ground at times and need my hands free to navigate thick brush stay upright.

 

[roosiebull]

Until last year I hunted with a rifle in a Hogue Overmolded Stock or a Tikka with a factory stock so this was not an issue. Last year I hunted with a Ruger Hawkeye in a painted MPI stock and my cordura pack rubbed the finish off my stock. I am sure I am not the 1st to experince this. What solutions have y'all come up with to protect your stock finish.

I have had that happen with a couple different rifles, last one was a sako a7 rough tech, it wore off a big patch of the finish… I recall it happening at least one other time on a different rifle but forgot the scenario

I never did try to remedy it because they were both synthetic stocks, so they got beat up looking but no different functionally. I don’t hunt with wood stocks at all, but if I had to, I’d probably put a little fiberglass pad where the rifle contacted my pack, it would be a little ugly, but it would protect the stock from getting the finish wore off and being exposed to the elements.

If it’s showing wear, you’ll either have to change how you pack it, or refinish it often to keep it looking nice

 

[Geewhiz]

I’ve got a rifle in a hs precision stock that spends a fair bit of time in my pack when hunting mainly because it’s heavy. After the first season I noticed some wear on the finish on the stock. Doesn’t bother me a bit. Call it a battle scar or just signs of use. Like scratching marks in a wood stock for each kill, or a fighter jet with bullet holes in the fuselage. All part of the story.

What would be worth more, a pristine rifle that was never used that was handed down from your grandpa, or a beat to crap, worn and weathered rifle that held all the stories of many adventures. I’ll be passing on the second rifle to my kids and grandkids.

Take care It, yes, but don’t be afraid to use it for what you bought it for.