How to Store and Care for Your Shotgun Between Hunts

There’s a moment when the day is done.

The dogs are settled, the guns are slipped away and the pace shifts back to everyday life. Whether you’re heading into another hunt next week or simply taking a short pause, how you store and care for your shotgun matters just as much as how you carry it in the field.

Proper maintenance isn’t seasonal, it’s part of responsible ownership. Here’s how to look after your shotgun properly between outings.

Clean Thoroughly, Not Quickly

Even if your shotgun appears clean, residue and moisture can remain where you can’t immediately see them - take your time.

Using a structured kit such as the Field Traditions Brockenhurst Leather Shotgun Cleaning Roll Kit keeps rods, brushes and cloths organised and ready to hand. Work methodically:

• Clean the barrels properly
• Wipe down the action and exterior metalwork
• Remove moisture from hidden creases
• Apply a light, appropriate oil where needed

This isn’t the moment to rush. Care taken now protects performance later.

Check Before You Store

Before placing your shotgun away - whether for days or weeks - inspect it carefully.

• Check screws and fittings
• Ensure moving parts operate smoothly
• Confirm everything feels as it should

Using premium snap caps for safe dry firing allows you to test function responsibly without placing strain on firing pins during storage. It’s a small habit that makes a significant difference over time.

Store in the Right Environment

Where you store your shotgun matters.

Avoid leaving it in a vehicle or damp outbuilding, and don’t rely on a zipped case for long-term storage. While a gun slip protects during transport, it isn’t designed to be a permanent resting place.

Instead, choose a dry, temperature-stable environment with appropriate airflow. Moisture is the greatest threat to longevity.

Care for the Kit That Carries It

Your shotgun isn’t the only piece that deserves attention.

Wipe down cartridge bags, condition leather straps and check stitching and hardware. Empty and air out gun slips after use. Well-made leather shotgun cartridge bags and canvas pieces are built to last - but only if maintained properly. A few minutes of care extends years of use.

Ownership Is Part of the Craft

Looking after your equipment isn’t simply maintenance - it’s part of the discipline of the sport. Clean barrels, conditioned leather, snap caps in place - everything stored properly.

Whether you’re hunting year-round or between specific seasons, these habits ensure your kit is always ready for the next outing. Care well. Carry well. Shoot well.

Explore our Hunt Essentials collection to keep your equipment prepared for every day in the field.