Protecting rifle stocks in the safe

[Philip Glass]

I am about to take receipt of my first “fine rifle” it’s a Dakota 76 with exquisite wood. This is not my first wooden stocked rifle, but my first that has exhibition grade wood that would make me cry if it got safe “rash”.
I know that having a larger safe with lots of space is the best answer but what other methods of protection do you recommend?
I have taken my AR15’s out due to their sharp edges and am putting them in another small safe. I have gunsocks but wonder if they will prevent deep burnishing by other bolt handles.
What works for you guys that have high dollar rifles and shotguns?

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Gun socks

 

[Stamp Collector]

Midway sells a Midway branded sock with a Velcro cover at the bottom. I believe that they sell a few different models under the Midway name but the one that I’m thinking of and own a few of uses extremely thick well padded material. Far thicker than any other sock that I’ve used. I can’t imagine scratching a stock in one of those socks. They don’t have a lot of stretch but are cut very large and will easily hold any scoped bolt action hunting rifle.

 

[Vinxton]

I’ve been in a similar situation with my own rifle—beautiful walnut stock, and I just kept thinking, “I can’t let this thing get dinged up!” A bigger safe with proper padding definitely helps. For extra protection, I’ve been using soft cloth gun socks, and while they’re great for preventing surface scratches, I noticed they’re not always enough to prevent those deep dings from the bolts.

I ended up getting a Home Safes with thicker, cushioned shelves and added some custom foam inserts. It’s been a game changer for keeping everything secure without rubbing against each other. I once learned the hard way after a small bump left a tiny nick on a rifle—lesson learned!

 

[CamoManJ]

I also use gun socks, silicone versions for rust protection & of various colors for identification purposes.

 

[deewayne2003]

As a follow up to my question. This rifle has a front sight, barrel swivel, and front sight so changing to a new barrel is not an easy or cheap affair. My friend says to not shoot hot loads in it so I don’t burn out the barrel. Would you avoid powders like RL26, RL17, Ramshot Hunter and others that give high velocities especially considering the typical long barrel life of 30-06.

How many rounds do you shoot through your rifles? I mean a 30-06 should go at least 4,000 rounds.

I ask because the worst cases of throat erosion I've ever seen were from .308 sniper rifles that a buddy of mine got over a decade ago as police trade ins; he was told there was no specific round count but just by their training regiment and the amount of time in service that 6,000 per rifle was a safe minimum number.

Tested at the range with 168gr SMK these rifles were shooting 1.5-3" groups at 100yds, my buddy who was not only a dealer but smith took the barrels and cut off the back 1/2" of the threading and re-cut the chambers and reinstalled the barrels..... all rifles shot clover leaves afterwards.

 

[gbflyer]

Something so simple as removing the bolt had never even occurred to me. Duh. I have lefties and righties so it’s always a problem. Wow. Thanks for that, whoever said it first way back in the beginning of this thread.