I hunt with a 257 Roberts in M700 Classic. The stock is a shiny satin and the you can see your reflection in the blue. The gun is in great condition. Heres my problem. I dont like the shine of the satin and I dont want to see my reflection. I stalk around and hunt out of tripods alot and would like I nice "oil" finish and dull metal finish. What would yall suggest I do? Would a bead blasted blue be dull or do I need some sort of coating? The stock I guess is easy enough. Strip it and use an oil, but which one? One gunsmith told me the gun was too pretty to refinish.

I have an identical (well nearly) 700 Classic in 300 H&H and I agree with your gunsmith. I'd rather get another gun in the same caliber before I'd refinish that 300 H&H. It's a slick looking gun.

Getting another gun is not an option. It would be like leaving your favorite dog at home. I have killed scores of animals with this gun and would NEVER part with it, so keping it "original" is not a concern. It is accurate and fits me like a glove.

Listen to your gunsmith.

Refinish it.

I think the blue can be bead blasted with the finest media available. The advantage of trying bead blast is if it doesn't work, you can keep on blasting until the metal is stripped, then refinish.