Stumpkiller, FYI it has rained nearly every day for the past month at my ranch near Del Rio. Texas. I do not "Drag" my rifles thru any mud and the barrel is always protected from rain drops..i.e. I do not point it "up" when carrying. The elevation of my ranch is approx. 2400' ASL, so it receives a fair amount of snow. Same for how my rifles are carried in snow weather.
At my age, ALL of my rifles will last far beyond my "useful life" and my sons are fully aware of rifle maintenance procedures.
My sympathies are with hunters from New York. Not only must you deal with bad weather, but anti-gun politicians are a dime a dozen.
It is common knowledge, in Texas, that a clean barrel will not shoot to the same point of aim as a fouled barrel. Been there, done that.