I am making a custom, walnut stock 9.3 x 62 on a VZ 24 action. Since, I plan on using this rifle in both Alaska and Africa, I thought one of the ceramic coatings vs. a rust blue might work better. Does anyone have a view on which of the synthetics is the most pleasing and would look most appropriate on a Turkish Walnut stocked rifle. Thank you for your assistance

go with rust blue. It is a very tough finish if done properly. Just add a coat of wax on it before going in wet weather and you will be amazed at how good it is at protecting your metal. The other coatings seem to scratch much easier than good rust bluing, and once the protective coat is scratched, you are screwed.

I do not have experience with the ceramic coatins, but I have a lot of experience with rust blue. It will take a lot of out right abuse. Given just a little care it will do all you need it to do.

And if your blank is very suitable for a rifle stock and has been dreid slowly and allowed to age for several years, then give it a proper finish and it will be more stable than many, or even most, synthetics. If it has funky grain, is pretty fresh blank, and has an inferior finish, then all bets are off.

Ditto - Marc_Stokeld! Rust blue is the most durable of metal finishes with possible exception of Roguard.

http://www.robarguns.com/q_and_a.htm

Have you thought of a real nice fine bead blasting job,the parkerized.They have a nice matte type finish and looks good and is the MOST d durable finish,thats why the military uses it.And it is a blueish blak deep color. van

Thank you gentlemen. Your opinions confirmed my suspicions.

I just got my barreled action back from Robar today. One of my daughters had it done for me for my birthday. Turnaround was less than 6 weeks. It was done with NP3 on the barreled action and all internal parts, including the bolt. For those who absolutely must have a black finish, Robar also makes Rogard, but NP3 is the most durable finish I know of. Nothing is totally and permanently impervious to the elements and abuse from rough handling, but as NP3 wears, it continues to bring more lubricity to the surface. My barrel is a stainless Shilen and the action is a Sako M591 I bought in the white from Jerry's/Simmons. The finish is now a satin silver with a slight bluish cast. It looks and feels great.

SST, if you can post pics i would realy like to see them. Thanks Karry

Rust blue looks best on walnut bluied rifles, classy look IMHO

KLM300,
I've got a digital camera I've never used, and don't even know if I have the USB cable to make the hookup. I've never posted a picture online.

I got 2 barreled actions back this week. One from Robar (my 7-08AI), and David Christman just returned my M1999 with a new stainless match Shilen in .338WinMag that he bead blasted for the final finish. The NP3 finish is beautiful, but it is not dark at all.

I've had/still have rifles that have been parkerized and rust blued. Both held up with no problems up here.

I'm gathering parts for a 9.3x62 on a BRNO action and its gonna be parkerized.

IMHO, Parkerizing is hardy but ugly. Robar and Gun-Kote is nicer and about as hardy.

Rust blue is the class act ... but not inexpensive if done properly. I would imagine that it might not hold up as well in very, very humid environments.

Matt blue looks pretty good to me, and is very durable in my experience. This one has been in a lot of slop already, and it hasn't even flinched.



I've got a rifle that is Cerrekoted (sp?) also, and it has proven very durable so far as well, over 2 years old, and it is really fresh looking after some tough field use.

Good Luck--Don