A gun is a crucial part of your camping or hiking gear. It’s your ally when you need protection against any dangerous animals out in the wilderness. But without proper preparation, your gun can fail you when it matters most.
That is why preparing before embarking on your trip into the wild woodlands is vital. Here are some helpful tips for preparing your firearm for camping or hiking in the wilderness:
Check the Local Laws and Regulations
Statista states that nearly 59 million Americans were engaged in hiking-related activities at least once in 2021. Since 2010, this number has increased by 80.4%, making it the highest ever seen in the North American region. However, even though you may be prepared to camp or hike in the wilderness, it’s still essential to be aware of local laws and regulations.
The first thing you must do is check the laws of your state. For example, some states require a gun license while others do not. Even if your state does not require a license/permit, it may be illegal in other states that are part of your trip route.
Make sure there aren’t any laws against shooting within 50 yards of campgrounds or campsites and 100 yards from designated campfire areas if you use a firearm. Unfortunately, many people don’t know this until they get arrested.
Learn How to Bore Sight a Rifle
Ever wondered how to bore sight a rifle with precision? The explanation is fairly simple, so you must follow a process. First, you have to understand the objective, which is to align the bore of your rifle with the point of impact on your target while keeping both in your sights. Then you can adjust your scope or iron sights to align with this point of impact instead of being misaligned by several inches off center.
The steps for bore sighting a rifle include:
- Find an open area with plenty of space and nothing in sight that could cause injury if a stray bullet hits, i.e., no houses or people. You should also ensure that no one else is around who may be hurt if you accidentally shoot them or their property by mistake.
- Set up 02 targets at least 50 yards apart from each other. It will keep things consistent. Ensure the targets are big enough to be easily seen after each shot is fired into the field beyond them. You’ll know how to adjust your aim before pulling the trigger again later when practicing with live ammunition.
Choose Your Ammunition
A report by GrandViewResearch estimates that the world market for ammunition was at USD 22.35 billion in 2021 and is projected to rise at a CAGR of 3.2% (2022 to 2030). The type of ammunition you choose to bring along on your next hunting trip can make or break your experience. When choosing the appropriate ammunition for your needs, you should take into account several factors:
- Choose ammunition for a rifle that you can comfortably handle in the field. If you’re hunting with a bolt-action rifle and want to bring it along on a camping trip, make sure it’s light enough to carry around all day long without getting tired.
- Choose the right kind of bullet for different kinds of targets. There are many different types of bullets available on the market today. Some have better penetration than others due to their design, while some are better at stopping an animal in its tracks when it hits its mark. It is because they cause more damage and shock.
- Choose ammunition based on what conditions will be like during this trip so that nothing goes wrong when shooting at moving animals or under poor lighting conditions. For example, if snow is on the ground, use night vision goggles, so everything seems clear when looking through them.
Lubricate the Metal
You can protect the metal parts of your gun with a dry film lubricant. It is a dry, fine-film lubricant that protects the metal against corrosion and wears. An excellent example of this type of product is Break-Free CLP.
Another option is to use a wet lube, which provides both corrosion protection and rust prevention in one step. For example, some companies offer a unique blend of synthetic oils, graphite powder, and water repellents in an aerosol spray can for easy application. However, it is used on moving parts such as slides, triggers, and hammers without disassembling them first, which could result in damage.
Make Sure Your Ammo is Stored Safely
According to Forbes, Americans bought 19.9 million weapons in 2021, a 12.5% decrease from 2020. However, 2021 was the second-busiest year on record for the sector. One of the essential considerations when planning a camping trip is to ensure your gun is properly stored and prepared for transport. You should never store ammunition in the same compartment as your gun, even if they are separate.
It will ensure that if one gets wet or damaged, it won’t hurt the other. In addition to keeping them separate, you must keep ammunition out of reach of children and pets at all times. If this isn’t possible, then at least ensure that both are locked up so that others can’t access them than yourself to have access to them.
Last but certainly not least: do not store ammunition near flammable materials. It includes storing it near open flames, like campfires or any other potential source of heat/fire.
Clean Your Gun and Test It Before You Leave Home
The first crucial thing to remember when preparing your gun for a camping or hiking trip is to ensure it is clean and dry. You should also oil it before putting it away so that rust does not form on the metal parts of your weapon.
When you leave home to go camping or hiking, or if you are going on an expedition into the wilderness, you can test your gun at home before setting out. Testing your gun at home before leaving for an expedition into nature will give you peace of mind knowing that everything works properly and efficiently.
Pack Extra Ammunition, Cleaning Rods, Patches, and Gun Oil in Your Hiking or Camping Gear
You should pack extra ammunition, cleaning rods, patches, and gun oil in your hiking or camping gear. Ammunition is a consumable item you might use up during your wilderness expedition. Therefore, you should have a spare bag of ammunition in your backpack or camp gear.
You also need to bring extra cleaning supplies because these items can easily get lost or damaged when hiking in the wilderness. You should also bring gun oil and patches so that they will be readily available if needed during your trip. These items can all be purchased at any local sporting goods store and are inexpensive compared to other camping essentials like tents, sleeping bags, etc.
These Tips Will Help You Understand How to Prepare Your Gun for Camping or Hiking
Safety is the first concern when preparing your gun for a trip into the wilderness. First, check local laws and regulations of your state, country, and destination to know exactly what kind of gun you can bring. If it is legal to carry a firearm, then learn how to bore sight a rifle with or without a laser. It will help keep your aim consistent while shooting targets during hunting or target practice.
Once you have chosen your ammunition, be sure to lubricate the metal parts on the gun and make sure they are stored safely in their case when not in use.
