Scratched Barrel on my Tikka.

[Mark251]

Okay, this is embarrassing but on last fall's elk hunt, I fell and scratched up the tip of the barrel on my "go to" elk rifle, a Tikka t-3 lite stainless.  Any suggestions about who might be able to help with repairs, hopefully in the Eastern Washington/Spokane area?  The damage is cosmetic but I love this rifle and want to repair the damage if at all possible.  I've attached a picture of the barrel.  Any ideas?  Thank you!

[Blacktail Sniper]

Scratches and dings are marks of a working rifle and should be worn with pride!

[WoodlandShooter]

guns get used and abused.

you should see how beat my little 270 is getting... even my fancy schmancy night force scope is in need of paint now!!

[Okanagan]

Those are character marks that show it has been outside!  I've got teeth marks worse than those near the muzzle on my calling rifle.

Just funning with you.   Follow your own preferences about how you want your rifle to look.   Tikka's are sweet rifles.

[Jonathan_S]

you could go to a Gun shop and buy a Winchester or a Remington...or a Ruger

Good point 

To the OP:  give a gunsmith a ring and find out what they could do.  I've never cared enough about scratches and have no clue what they'd do here.

[Henrydog]

Mountain Shadow, or shadow Mnt on the N Division Y.  I know they have a smith on sight.  If they don't do the work they might know someone who can

[Bob33]

Scratches and dings are marks of a working rifle and should be worn with pride!

[Angry Perch]

Scratches and dings are marks of a working rifle and should be worn with pride!

Yep, just like scars, and dents on your pickup. Ah, the memories. 

[buckfvr]

Think how sick youd be if it was a Savage......................

[jackelope]

You could have it cerakoted in whatever color you want, and you'd have a more durable finish for the future.

[Gringo31]

Another vote for leave it be.  It tells the story.   


I had a "new" rifle that ended up going along with me on a goat hunt in Haines Alaska.  Using it as a paddle to slow down going down rock slides leaves a few marks....

When I see them, it reminds me of that trip.

[Bob33]

Kids today.

I grew up in a era of wooden stocked rifles where dings and scratches from wear and usage were an enviable commodity. The more battered the rifle, the more it earned respect from onlookers. We envied the "old timers" with beat up rifles that looked like they'd been put through a meat grinder. My, the stories that rifle would tell if it could talk.

Now a ding or chip on a stainless synthetic rifle seems to have the opposite effect: "must be a careless hunter with that gun."

[Jonathan_S]

Just cut it down

 

[fly-by]

Unless the crown is damaged, just leave it alone. 

I am actually relieved when something gets banged up.  No need to baby it any longer. 

Or just get some Brownell's Aluma-Hyde and make it into an art project.

[ghosthunter]

Another vote for leave it be.  It tells the story.   


I had a "new" rifle that ended up going along with me on a goat hunt in Haines Alaska.  Using it as a paddle to slow down going down rock slides leaves a few marks....

When I see them, it reminds me of that trip.

Exactly
I get so attached to my guns , I can't sell them ,tus every scratch and scuff has a story that can be told over and over.
Embrace it. It makes it your rifle.

[2labs]

Cut it off and re crown, you'll have the only tikka carbine!

[Mark251]

Wow!  Thanks for all the great advice    Thanks also for reminding me that a hunting rifle's dings and dents are meant to be a part of that rifle's story.  From now on, when I see those scratches I'll just think of that elk hunt and smile.  Thanks everyone 

[blmathis12]

Sand them out up to 400gr and then glass bead blast it and it will look like new pretty easy fix

[Gringo31]

Wow!  Thanks for all the great advice    Thanks also for reminding me that a hunting rifle's dings and dents are meant to be a part of that rifle's story.  From now on, when I see those scratches I'll just think of that elk hunt and smile.  Thanks everyone

This made me smile!   

[jkononen]

Scotch brite.

[splitshot]

   if u don't want scratchs, dings and wear marks don't take it out of the case.  I don't want to hurt any firearm but *censored* happens.  good thread guys,  enjoyable.  mike w

[bear hunter]

Just use a DA sander,  buff, and glass bead it out.