Removing rust from feed ramp/bluing

[Fureraba]

Hello.

I have made the mistake of accepting this firearm as is from the FFL transfer thinking the rust would not be a problem to get rid of. I always thought rust on firearms was something easy to maintain and control as other new firearms I've purchased have never come with rust or have rusted once with regular attention and CLP. I have tried soaking this rust spot on top with CLP 5 times, each over an hour long and I am getting no results. Tried scrubbing with nylon brush and no good. I am fairly new to rifle shooting having only started a few months ago and finally decided to purchase a new rifle in .308 win because .300 win mag is getting expensive to fire and I have no ability to utilize this cartridge to its full capability around the place I live. (I also shouldn't have started out on .300 win mag)

It seems to be only surface rust but I cannot get it off. I have read for hours, different posts and forum threads with wars of white scotchbrite pads with oil to steel wool vs bronze wool to just using a brass or copper brush. I don't have any actual cleaning or maintenance supplies but have a Dewey rod kit on the way to keep up with cleaning and I plan on taking care of this rifle as much as I possibly can.

I don't want the rust to get any worse, that's why I've come here for any advice at all that can be offered. I should have not accepted it, I know. But I also had a very hard time finding this particular rifle in stock ANYWHERE especially being a left handed shooter without having to pay such a high premium from sites like gunbroker, etc. I didn't want to go through the weeks long process of sending an email and hoping I get a response to the time it would take to possibly receive a replacement.

Any advice or suggestions to aid in the removal of rust from the bluing and feed ramp/ best preventative measured to keep rust away would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Fureraba]

(Adding) the rifle is a Remington 700 LTR 20" Barrel, if that helps any.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

I'm no expert (well I am an Internet Expert(TM), ask anybody) but the pic of the feed ramp doesn't look like rust to me, it looks like some gilding metal rubbed off a couple of bullets. Try a copper remover. The others don't look like rust either, but some kind of staining... unless I do see some bubbling up there, not sure. If this is a new rifle you may consider sending the pics to Remington's customer service.

 

[Fureraba]

I'm no expert (well I am an Internet Expert(TM), ask anybody) but the pic of the feed ramp doesn't look like rust to me, it looks like some gilding metal rubbed off a couple of bullets. Try a copper remover. The others don't look like rust either, but some kind of staining... unless I do see some bubbling up there, not sure. If this is a new rifle you may consider sending the pics to Remington's customer service.

Thanks for responding. My camera makes it look a lot different but here are some "Better" pictures I tried to take. Sorry for the bad quality. I did remove the mounting screw earlier and it was caked with corrosion on the bottom.

 

[gyp_c2]

Feed ramp looks like copper.

 

[EMC45]

Feed ramp looks like copper/brass and the plug screw hole looks like some type of thread locking goop.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

That amber looking stuff is reminiscent of what Remington uses for a "packing grease". Try brushing some gun solvent in and around those plug screws to see if it is actually some hardened up grease. Bet it is.
#0000 steel wool and solvent will get that bullet jacket smear off your ramp. Then check for a sharp edge at the top of said ramp. If there is, some judicious work with a fine, round stone will fix things up in that area.

 

[beag_nut]

Is the metal area around that screw coated with anything, like a clear finish or even a colored one? If so, the discoloration could be lube or cleaner getting under the coating, and migrating slightly away from the screw. I agree about the copper smear.

 

[edwardware]

I don't want the rust to get any worse, that's why I've come here for any advice. . ./QUOTE]
That's copper or brass on the feed ramp. You should apply more, by feeding cartridges from the magazine, preferably with frequent loud "BOOM" noises.

That booger of grease on the scope mount plugs is also quite typical.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

On the receiver screw, looks like thread lock adhesive or thread rust inhibitor that has migrated over time.
The coppery looking streaks on the feed ramp look like bullet jacket rubbings to me. I have used Hoppes #9 and an old bronze bore cleaning brush on feed ramps before.

 

[.38 Special]

I agree with everyone else. The feed ramp is just copper, which won't hurt a thing. It could be removed with copper solvent, but will return as soon as the gun is used again. It's best to ignore it, as trying to "fix" it will likely cause more harm than good. The stuff around the screw holes is some type of thread locker. It could probably be chipped off with a plastic edge, like a credit card or putty knife, but again, it does no harm and will be hidden by a scope base anyway.

Were it my gun I'd give the bore a good cleaning, dab a bit of grease on the bolt lugs, mount a scope (and add my own contribution to the thread locker buildup) and then go shoot it. I don't see a thing wrong with the gun.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

I doubt that the stuff around the "plug" screws is any sort of "thread-locker". Plug screws are meant to be easily removed for an optics base, so why would anyone try to secure those screws from removal? Doesn't make sense. Try some "brake and parts cleaner".

 

[.38 Special]

I doubt that the stuff around the "plug" screws is any sort of "thread-locker". Plug screws are meant to be easily removed for an optics base, so why would anyone try to secure those screws from removal? Doesn't make sense. Try some "brake and parts cleaner".

I am assuming that this is a used rifle and that it previously had a base installed.

 

[wiscoaster]

The feed ramp is no problem. The rust around the screw is more problematic. It looks like it might be coming to the surface from inside the screw hole.

 

[herrwalther]

Feed ramp looks like typical scrapes caused by copper jackets going across. Rust rarely forms along straight lines. Two lines in a V shape match push feeding from a staggered magazine.

CLP is a good cleaner of most rust, so it may not even be rust you are trying to remove. Use some oiled 0000 steel wool to try scraping off the residue around the hole. 0000 is very fine and won't harm the bluing on the barrel. If it doesn't come off with that method, you may have to try something harsher that would take the bluing as well. But that can come later.

 

[Howland937]

Clean the screw holes as best you can, then hide them under your scope bases. Then mount a scope on, and it'll be harder to see the feed ramp.
I've had brand new rifles have surface rust form around where they were drilled and tapped for scope bases. Wiped them down with corrosion inhibitor and on about my business.

Dang, now I gotta take all my scopes and bases off and see if they're rusting again?

 

[mjsdwash]

If it is truly rust there is one way to get it off very precisely. use some kind of tool to rub aluminum foil over it. This will take off bluing, as any effective rust remover will. Aluminum foil is something bodywork guys have been doing since at least WWll. It works both abrasively and chemically. Keeping the foil smooth will prevent scratches. Wrapped around a dowel, it can do a feed ramp.