opinions about rifle storage

[canhsat]

Which do you guys prefer in a case? storing rifles butt down or storing barrel down?

I usually store butt down but some of my friends always store theirs barrel down.

[bubbawitha4570]

Firstly, I wouldn't store a gun in a case. There are normally too many problems with moisture becoming trapped and rust resulting after a very short term. If you are storing them in a safe, closet, cabinet, whatever, then up or down doesn't make much difference. I know of one person who had to store his both ways in his safe due to the sheer number of longguns in there.

Personnally I store mine barrel up, to allow the least of air movement in and out of the barrel. Even better would be barrel up with the bolt open. I just don't have the room for bolt open.

[DocHolladay]

I store mine barrel up, I feel that it lets air in and doesnt damage the end of the barrel or rifling. Some plastic cases are coming with a rust preventer in them now that seems to do a pretty good job. You can also by aftermerket rust preventers if you keep yours in a case and it doesnt have one from the factory.

[madoktor1]

There are also silicone gun socks to prevent rust and they are $10 or less. I store mine barrel down because I give then a good oiling before storage and it keeps the oil from running into the action. A friend of mine stores his M/L's barrel down with a plug in the end and the breech plug out and fills it with SAE 30 oil. It helps keep the barrel seasoned and prevents rust. I also put a towel under them so I don't ruin the wood floor in the closet. LOL!!!

[bigblue]

I store mine muzzle up in a safe. I think all safes are made to store them that way. The only reason I could see for muzzle down would be to keep excess oil from running down and possibly staining a wood stock. That being the case, there would probably be too much oil being left on the gun. If I had a choice, I wouldn't store them in a case.
Don

[canhsat]

thanks for all the replies!!