Thanks. We have been getting a lot of moisture this year, and I have been out with this rifle between the winter and about 3 weeks ago. I have had it in the snow, rain and other bad weather, but I never had an issue until now. I will point out that I did not store the rifle in the case all the time, but it has spent a lot of time in the case.
I fired some 60 rounds through it today (will post pics) and did another cleaning with exxoc as a coating (last can from my LGS). Barrel looked great, and no sign of rust or pitting that I could see. Accuracy was about the same I was seeing before this crap, but have noticed the groupings have opened up a little more on a warm barrel. I'm going to do some loads running Vargent next (ones today were what was left of CFE223 loaded close to max, running Hrndy V-Max 55gr, and some 75gr HPBT) Coming back from checking targets and loading the mag, I was able to hit the black paster I was shooting dead center once zero was redone, but follow-up shots would appear low or high about a half inch at times from the initial hits. This was shooting off a bag, prone, with a bean bag supporting the stock and hand. Again, I will post pics tomorrow.
Thanks for the input from everyone. Things, thankfully, turned out good. I am happy was built this rifle from the ground up as I was able to somewhat tear it down, clean it and rebuild. I did take it to the smith to have the OPS Inc collar taken off as it had rusted to the barrel (no paint was applied under it except for the factory coat from Douglas...odd). So my rifle is a little lighter. I will get another collar, but that will be when I go for broke and get the correct suppressor for it. Until now, no collar. But it shoots and I didn't have to sweat cash for a new barrel.
As of now, I have made room in the safe and it is sitting there as I type. Starting mid-week I will be doing weekly inspections and better upkeep on weapons. Guess I fell in the trap of peace of mind of having a safe or a good weapons case to store and protect my weapons.
Dude, what is your problem? Like I have enough grief on my own.
For starters, this is my first Stainless Steel barrel and I didn't really go deep enough in proper maintenance. Furthermore, I have been bombarded with information and do's-and-don'ts of cleaning barrels to maintain accuracy, such as just using a boresnake, to running a rod through it carefully. My next purchase is going to be a carbon fiber cleaning rod that I will probably have to order out considering where I live, and what local LGS'es sell.
This rifle isn't just a show piece to rattle the local fudds at the range, it is a hunting rifle and precision rifle. It is also my main varmint rifle. The paint is their for a reason...concealment. Also to note, the barrel was already painted black from the factory. And rust was on the factory painted portions, not just what was rattle canned.
Rust was also inside the barrel. That is what I am really curious about as I don't shoot corrosive ammo through it (unless I just found out CFE223 attracts a lot of moisture, but I have need read anything about this).
A lot of people rattle can their rifles, mostly with Krylon. I used Rustolum as it was on sale for a case of cammo paint. My neighbor talked me into it, and for four or more months, I had no problems with the paint or rust except walking past my rifle twice looking for it.
My problem looks to have steamed from, as you boldly pointed out, wrong cleaning and protective agents, and storing in a case that retains moisture very well and does so keeping it out, too. Go figure. The paint was also a contributing factor on the outside of the barrel. I'm still wanting to know what made rust appear on the inside. It looks to have been surface rust, but still, who cares once it is on a $400 barrel? You just want it out and pray it doesn't screw it up. This lesson only coast me $30. I am very happy about that at this moment.
And again, this is my first stainless steel barrel. I just realized in three days how much new territory for me this has become.

