What is this?

[Ruger No. 1]

I got my new 700 last night and when I got it out of the box it had this "stuff" on it. It kind of looked like rust but Im not exactly sure if maybe it was something they put on the gun to keep it oiled? Any ideas on what it is?

[Captqc]

Can you post a picture of it? Is it on the action or what? Have you tried to remove it with gun cleaner? When I got my new Remington last year she was clean as a whistle! Gary

[futuretrades]

is it kind of sticky, but dry, kind of crusty? if it is, it sounds like it may be cosmoline, or some other preservative. it can be removed with gun solvent, and should be removed before firing. no biggee. just clean her up good.

[Ruger No. 1]

Its kind of a orange color, and its kind of spotty. It almost looks like rust but im not really sure what it is. but it wont come off with normal gun oil. Im really hopeing this isnt rust because the gun is basicly new and I HATE haveing rust on my guns. The gun is stainless so I didnt think it was supposed to rust? what do you think?

[Hawkeye Joe]

Barrels are made with 400 series stainless which has quite a bit of Iron in it. And it's magnetic. I hate to say it, but it's probably rust.

[Ruger No. 1]

What about the action, because the worst of it is on the action.

[Hawkeye Joe]

Hit it with a magnet.. If it sticks,I'm sure it will, it can rust.

[Ruger No. 1]

Your Right, It sticks. I put quite a bit of oil on it and stuck it in the gun safe with a golden rod so hopefully that helps. I hate it when guns rust.

[greystone]

Wipe it down lightly with gun oil and 0000 steel wool. That should remove any surface rust. Dave

[acloco]

If you ever have the barrel off of the action, I would GLASS bead the action, lug, barrel, and bolt handle. Coat with no gloss or matte clear and be done (use small/x-fine glass).