Do you camouflage your stainless steel rifle barrel?

[wapiti hunter2]

We are talking muzzleloaders here.  Full camo dress, rutting elk, one hopes and NO orange vest.

[Whitelightning]

Interesting.  So, when it comes to coyotes you camo-up.  But when it comes to big game and spending potentially a thousand dollars or more for an in-state elk or deer hunt you don't.  You spend hundreds on camo clothing, face paint etc then leave your gun silver?  I ask because I have spotted hunters stainless rifles in the woods before seeing them on several occassions and I know mine sticks out like a Star Wars light saber.  How can you say you have never had a problem?  If the deer or elk sees you first it's gone.  You'll never know.  I am going to camo-up I just don't know if I am going to paint or tape.

As I said mine are not polished, they are satin, Blued rifles will reflect more light than my stainless will. Camo on a rifle barrel is not necessary IMO. I don't polish my blued rifles either I like satin finish. As said critters dont see color, if it dont shine!

[carpsniperg2]

yeah as long as there is no flashing going on it can be any color, i just use camo gillie cut and rolled around the barrel it works but not perfect i could never bring myself to painting a barrel

[ML_Hunter]

We are talking muzzleloaders here.  Full camo dress, rutting elk, one hopes and NO orange vest.

Yup...talking muzzle loader.  In unit 666 or if your hunting ANY piece of Federally owned property, you MUST wear orange. I don't hunt these area often for its hard to get access too (ft. Lewis never available open areas for muzzy) but even when I'm just out hunting...anywhere, the only time I'm actually in camo is when its raining out, for my rain gear happens to be camo.  I've taken both elk and deer not wearing camo, took an elk with out even having a shirt on and with my white belly I'm sure I was reflecting light all over the place.

If your barrel has a satin finish and is not glaring...no need for camo.  My rifle is just black stock and matte blue finish...no glare...no issues getting close to game.  IMO camo is highly over rated.

[ML_Hunter]

yeah as long as there is no flashing going on it can be any color, i just use camo gillie cut and rolled around the barrel it works but not perfect i could never bring myself to painting a barrel

Agreed...a painted barrel looks gaudy, and although it may not matter much on a muzzleloader, paint will just destroy the value of your firearms!!  Sorry, I spend 8 hours a day evaluating firearms, many times under the paint one can find rust, the paint does not allow the metal to breath and that's not good for the longevity of the firearms life.  Muzzle loaders will rust anyways, why speed up the process with paint?

[Lowedog]

To each his own I guess.  The rifle I mentioned earlier that my friend could see reflecting light as I moved through the trees has/had a satin finish.  I don't buy my rifles with resale value or how pretty it looks in mind.  I buy them for my use, they are a tool to get the job done.  I will take any advantage I can get.

[stumprat]

I use a stainless Bighorn as is and haven't seemed to have an issue. If your concerned about glare. Buy a camo'd muzzleloader.

[the1rod]

as far as the question of paint or tape goes, i would say paint. take your time, do a good job and it would look fine IMO. and as far as the rust argument goes, well it dosent go far, were talking about stainless, stainless= no rust. 

[Whitelightning]

Stainless dont rust? I have seen many stainless rifles in particular M/L's rifles and pistols that have rusted and or pitted. Stainless is rust resistant not rust proof, you still need to take care of it.

[carpsniperg2]

  very well put, stainless can and will rust if it is not taken care of for sure.

[wapiti hunter2]

I like the tape idea. As for those of you who have not found your stainless rifle to be an issue, how would you really know.  If people can see your rifle barrel from one or two hundred yards away, game sure can.  Nothing gives away movement faster than a silver stick waving around.  I will use any available thing I can afford to help me be successful.  Camo gloves, hat, face paint and yes, my rifle.  I also agree, stainless will rust, just not easily.  

[stumprat]

I don't move around much!!!!!!!

[the1rod]

quality stainless will not rust unless its impegnated with mild steel, if stainless is appearing to rust it is due to a impurity on the surface. so therefor if there are no impurities at the time of painting, it will not rust under the paint.

[Whitelightning]

I thought Deer didn't see color rather shades of gray. I don't think a stainless or blued rifle with no glare can be any differant than a weathered tree limb or stick.
 Paint does not seal out moisture. The film still breathes and will allow moisture to penetrate to the metal. Stainless (Top Quality) must have an Acid etch applied to it prior to an intermediate coat followed by the color film. With out the etch the color film will not adhere. I have never seen stainless of that quality on a rifle or pistol barrel.

Impurities will rust for sure but those typically are from the bead blasting process to satin the finish. Stainless in a rifle can be affected by weather and acids in the powder. Take care of your stainless.

[wapiti hunter2]

Whitelightning.  Deer don't see in shades of gray contrary to all of the old opinions.  Actual recent scientific studies indicate they see in blues, yellow and greens.  Check out the articles in this tread.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,53672.0.html