After five safaris, my Searcy BSS rifle is showing wear and freckling from African style carry.
I'm considering Cerakote as an alternative to rebluing. I'm told it can be made somewhat glossy, with a look not unlike rust bluing.
It's a working rifle, not an H&H Royal.
Has anyone done this, or seen it done on a double? Impressions?

I have cerakote on my AHR rifle - after 4 safaris it wearing out in places. I am very hard on my guns when i hunt and my last safari in Burkina was even harder (the way the guns are attached on the truck). I like cerakote on my bolt rifles.

Not sure if I want it on a double - it is a little thicker than ordinary blueing. Very durable.

Hope the info helps,

Mike

It is paint, regardless of what the advertising says. ("coating") If you want to paint your DR, it will prevent rust. It will never look exactly like rust blue. It is a good alternative to bluing if you don't mind that your rifle is "coated" with something (paint). Of course, none can be put on the working surfaces like the frame/barrel face/ water table as it does have a thickness.

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:
After five safaris, my Searcy BSS rifle is showing wear and freckling from African style carry.
I'm considering Cerakote as an alternative to rebluing. I'm told it can be made somewhat glossy, with a look not unlike rust bluing.
It's a working rifle, not an H&H Royal.
Has anyone done this, or seen it done on a double? Impressions?

I'm having this finish put on. New custom rifle build. It can be made to look virtually like rust blue when done properly. Contact Dan Atwood or Gary Heaton at ACR in Chickamauga GA, some of the best. Their number is 706-891-6603

The more I hunt the more I like the patina guns acquire that have been hunted and used in the field. I would be inclined to leave it alone and enjoy the character it has acquired.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
The more I hunt the more I like the patina guns acquire that have been hunted and used in the field. I would be inclined to leave it alone and enjoy the character it has acquired.

Good point

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Marty:
After five safaris, my Searcy BSS rifle is showing wear and freckling from African style carry.QUOTE]

That my friend is referred to as "character". It is a very good thing on a mans rifle. Not only would I leave it be, I would reflect fondly on all the adventures it has been through to get to this condition. Only rookies have shiny new equipment!

Marty, think about Buzz's old .416 Rigby. That rifle is basically devoid of bluing, the stock is battered and scarred, etc. It would be crime against nature to restore and refinish that rifle. I would pay twice what a new rifle would cost to buy that rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines: I would pay twice what a new rifle would cost to buy that rifle.

Buzz is looking to acquire a new rifle/two with that comment

quote:

Originally posted by hunteratheart:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines: I would pay twice what a new rifle would cost to buy that rifle.

Buzz is looking to acquire a new rifle/two with that comment

LOL. I felt confident in making the offer that there is no reasonable price at which Buzz would sell that rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
The more I hunt the more I like the patina guns acquire that have been hunted and used in the field. I would be inclined to leave it alone and enjoy the character it has acquired.

And it is a terrible disease I suffer from. Buying a 375H&H CZ and having it custom finished by AHR I decided to leave on the factory stock. After 4 safaris and a fair bit of shooting I cannot get myself to send the gun back to Wayne to get it fitted with a custom stock. I am attached to my beat up rifle. I should have got the custom stock when I bought the rifle. The idea of banging up the factory stock and then getting a custom stock was no a very bright choice on my part.

Mike