Bluing and Glare

[worth1]

I am doing a PG hunt in 2020 and will be my first trip to Africa. For some reason, I feel like a wood rifle is what I should take. Was thinking about a Weatherby Deluxe in 340 Wby.

My one concern is around the fact that it is not a matte finish but a gloss blue on metal and gloss wood finish. I have never hunted with a set up like this before as mostly matte stainless and synthetic given a better choice on those hunts.

Is the glare/reflection something that would be significant and a challenge to the hunt or not?

 

[Luvthunt]

Never hunted Africa with a high gloss stock and shiny blueing. But did use a 340 Wby and can say it is a very effective. I used 225 gr Nosler Part.
Good luck.

 

[MMAL]

If that is the gun you want and shoot well use it. You may have the stalk with the gun hidden behind you but it will work. I once used a stainless steel barrel .300 win mag. No the best option but it worked.

 

[Hogpatrol]

^^^^^This^^^^^ Take the rifle with which you are most proficient. There are camo covers available for different firearms. Ask your PH expected shooting distances. You may not get a shot closer than 100 yards.

 

[JimP]

Talk to your outfitter and see what the usually shooting distances are and if something bright and shinny is going to be a problem.

I took my .340 Weatherby which is stainless with a silver scope but a black stock on it and had zero problems, but then I couldn't see my reflection in the stock. My shots were from 90 yards out to 479 yards.

 

[worth1]

Thanks for the input. Will reach out as suggested.

 

[Mike Van Horn]

Take your .340 and have fun. There are lots of things that shine, your eyeglasses, the frames of your eyeglasses. The lenses of your binoculars, your scope lenses. Just to list a few.
BTW the .340 is a great cartridge. I use the 225 TTSX

 

[worth1]

Thanks. I was am meaning to 225 Hammer bullet with Swift A Frame or TTSX as options as well.

 

[Red Leg]

I have hunted just a bit, and I can think of no instance in my life where rifle barrel glare frightened an animal. Movement yes - scent yes - rifle barrel glare? Never.

 

[wesheltonj]

There is only one animal that you have to worry about glare from a gun and that’s Charlie. And if you are hunting him, you are taking the wrong gun.

 

[Shootist43]

Like others have said I wouldn't worry about it. If you are still concerned wipe the barrel down with an oil soaked cloth and sprinkle some dust on it. Just remember to keep your action clean.

 

[jduckhunter]

I think that all you have to do to answer your question is look at the photo section of this forum and see all of the smiling faces posed with their shiny weapons and all of their dead animals.

 

[Hogpatrol]

If you are going to stalk and get in close, I would concern myself more with reflective clothing, stinky deodorants, bath soaps, and shaving creams, detergents with brighteners and perfumes (you'll find these at some venues), leather shoes, hats, belts and gloves (to an animal, they stink BAD), sunglasses, scope lenses, binocular glass, rangefinder lenses. Shiny barrels and actions should be the least of your worries.

 

[Longwalker]

During my recent hunt in Namibia my PH asked me to sling my nice shiny Verney-Carron rifle muzzle down over my left shoulder as we stalked. ( I'm a right handed shooter) It is a carrying method that I was already accustomed to, so no problem. It pretty much eliminates the glare of overhead sun from reflecting forward towards an animal. I am quick to the shoulder from that position too, faster than traditional muzzle up over the right shoulder that's for certain. Keep your hand on the fore end in the usual position, for good muzzle control. Shrug your shoulder to let the sling slip off, and turn the rifle up and swing the butt in to your shoulder to aim. Quick, easy, and little glare.

 

[Red Leg]

During my recent hunt in Namibia my PH asked me to sling my nice shiny Verney-Carron rifle muzzle down over my left shoulder as we stalked. ( I'm a right handed shooter) It is a carrying method that I was already accustomed to, so no problem. It pretty much eliminates the glare of overhead sun from reflecting forward towards an animal. I am quick to the shoulder from that position too, faster than traditional muzzle up over the right shoulder that's for certain. Keep your hand on the fore end in the usual position, for good muzzle control. Shrug your shoulder to let the sling slip off, and turn the rifle up and swing the butt in to your shoulder to aim. Quick, easy, and little glare.

How I normally carry mine when closing with an animal. It catches on nothing and comes up, as you say, instantly. And we are in good company - Len Taylor - one of Zim's more famous PH's, carries his exactly the same way.

 

[worth1]

Thanks for passing along that carry technique. Something I hadn’t heard previously.

 

[Mike Van Horn]

It's also a very safe way to care your rifle, and still be ready

 

[K-man]

The only time I have covered a barrel is for a Leopard hunt and for waterfowling, not for PG hunts. Like others have said, worry more about movement of the body and arms and wind/scent. Good luck and carry the gun you are most confident in.

 

[Alchemist]

Movement and scent is your biggest problem. When walking, stay about 2 -3 yards directly behind your guide. You do what he does. If he stops, you stop etc. It is his job to track and find animals. He knows the environment and the prey. He will also shield you from the animals seeing you. When he set up the shooting sticks look over him and you will see the animal which he selected. Happy hunting.

 

[Bonk]

Wood stocked blue steel rifles have been used successfully all over the world for well over a hundred years. The matte finish synthetic stock era is a fairly recent phenomenon. I've hunted with both and I don't think it matters one way or the other. Any perceived advantage of a stealth rifle can be easily erased if it's not a rifle you shoot well or don't have confidence in.

I prefer wood/blue steel but if the weather is really crap I have a couple of stainless/synthetic rifles I can use.

I'm having a rifle built for my first African hunt. I'm going with wood/blue steel because it looks better and it's classic old school. I briefly considered a synthetic stock but not for long. When, not if, the pretty new walnut stock gets a few hunting dents and scratches I won't care. Then it will be just like me. Slightly scarred, imperfect and with some history.

Look at all the beautiful engraved gold embossed highly blued doubles, Rigby's, Hollands & Hollands, etc that a lot of us lust over. I'd gladly carry one of them into the woods given a chance.

If someone has a rifle they love to shoot and has complete confidence in then take it hunting regardless of how pretty it is. If you're really concerned about it being too shiny just rub some dirt on it. Seriously. It won't hurt it. Clean it up when you're done hunting.