Noob with a Lee Enfield- Help!

You can use Hoppes gun cleaning solvent to remove any grease and grime from the wood. Once that is done, start applying light coats of raw linseed oil, letting each coat soak in and rehydrate the wood. It should be good to go after 7 or 8 hand-rubbed coats. Please remember that once the wood is rehydrated, it will fit differently when you reinstall the barrel and receiver since the wood will expand slightly. Raw linseed oil is what was used on your rifle at the factory when it was first built. Hope that helps!

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Looks pretty good now. It'll be a bit easier to assemble without the crud fitting... I wouldn't worry about the verdigris on the butt, doesn't the butt plate cover it? BLO and go...that will also free more crud from the wood.

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Had to go do snow clean up. On my way to get the BLO now. With Regards to metal- thus far I am again doing just toothbrush, small scraper, and oil. I have some people go crazy with barrel cleaning. I plan to just use a rod with oily cloth rag and run it through many times. Some people say to avoid copper or brass brushes. I don’t have one that fits anyway. I have one to fit my .556, but the .308 one fits initially, but has a wider portion that won’t. To clean the barrel entry I assume. Scotch brite perhaps?

Please heed the advice not to use "BLO" ("Boiled" Linseed Oil). The product needed is RAW linseed oil (RLO) which, unlike BLO, will not readily dry on the surface and leave a shiny, sticky film that's absolutely not what is called for on a military arm.

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Originally Posted by Parashooter

Please heed the advice not to use "BLO" ("Boiled" Linseed Oil).

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Pardon me, I mis-spoke... Yes, RLO. Personally I use Danish oil but do more US military and civilian stocks now.

Mind you it's almost an even score of 33.333 % each when it comes to BLO, RLO and other oils on wood. We've all seen the lengthy threads about wood finishes.

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Originally Posted by LuvNH

I have one to fit my .556, but the .308 one fits initially, but has a wider portion that won’t. To clean the barrel entry I assume.

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Are you speaking of the chamber brush for the AR family?

The BLO will have to wait. Two stores nearby, one closed and out at the other. Just seeing posts about not using boiled. Ok, that’s on hold for now. Thanks much all!

Cinders - didn’t have any stainless wool, but found another wonderful tool! Qtips work great. I also had a small brass brush that I used on the but plate. That was gross. Measurable amount of junk on that. More toothbrushing and rags worked. Pics below.

The receiver came out well. The qtips are great for the screw and pin holes. When the cotton is done, I’ll pull that off and use the flat end as a scraper. Worked well. The sides are just abrasive enough, but gentle so as not to harm any metal.

Did not do barrel yet completely yet. That will have to wait. Ran some oil through to keep it wet.

Question- Should I take the front sight band block off? I have the bracket off, but not sure I want to go any further. It doesn’t appear to need it, but wonder the chances of rust underneath. And the rear hand guard retaining ring has spotty rust on it. Removing the front sight would allow me to get the ring off. Again, worth it?

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Are you speaking of the chamber brush for the AR family?[/QUOTE]

Yes, my vocabulary failed me. Apologies.

Don't fool with the sights get as much done as you can and leave it, your only interest is to get the grunge off it and replenish the stock start trying to drift things out who knows what malady's may befall you.
It is a battle rifle and not a parade rifle give it care yep that's what your doing but to go down the tunnel of pulling a serviceable item off just to make it look pretty is not the way to go.

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Originally Posted by LuvNH

the chamber brush for the AR family

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That shouldn't go further than the barrel extension/chamber of the AR. You can find lots of brushes for .303/.308 that will do nicely. They wear out too so replace them regularly.

RLO is available online. Example at Amazon - Amazon.com: LinSheen Raw Linseed Oil – Food-Grade Wood Treatment Conditioner to Rejuvenate, Restore and Protect Wood Patio Furniture, Decks to Kitchen Cutting Boards, 8 oz Bottle: Health Personal Care

The link above may solve the problem for you, but if you want to source your RLO locally, make sure you also ask for flax seed oil, (ensuring it is unboiled). Linseed oil & flax seed oil are one & the same. Your local store might have it under the different name...... I bought my RLO as human consumption grade flax seed oil off 'that internet auction site'. It gives so much better results than BLO.