How to Temporarily Cover Glare From a Gun Barrel, Suggestions?

[HankBuck]

It's hard to overthink it when your quarry is bent on staying alive and out of your reach. Even a little thing like the stark white letters on my brother's cap as he walked toward me was almost like waving a flag. We have to remember that animals are used to having their own identifiable colors, like the white near black stripe on the rear side of a cat's ears, or a white tail on a deer or antelope. That is all they need to get alerted to presence--why should we get a pass when we identify ourselves accidentally.

@steve white - now you’re Really over thinking it

 

[Ridge Runner]

Well, you are astute to address a problem many overlook on blued high polish guns! I saw one glinting bright blue across a field about 80 yds out. It was shocking how bright it was. I thought at the time, that a deer could easily get spooked by it.
Glad to have learned some solutions, like the medical tape.

@steve white - I agree there is glare off of some guns but same goes for the Glass off many scopes — if the Sun hits them right - and lots of other stuff….including many Synthetic Camo outfits can be very “shiny” .
I’ve only put some camo cloth tape on one barrel - a stainless barrel on my CVA muzzleloader and my Son kids me that “Dad, you’re Over Thinking it”….I agree with him, but I have kept the tape on. Likely unnescessary but doesn’t hurt and makes Me feel better !!

It's hard to overthink it when your quarry is bent on staying alive and out of your reach. Even a little thing like the stark white letters on my brother's cap as he walked toward me was almost like waving a flag. We have to remember that animals are used to having their own identifiable colors, like the white near black stripe on the rear side of a cat's ears, or a white tail on a deer or antelope. That is all they need to get alerted to presence--why should we get a pass when we identify ourselves accidentally.

For those of us who grew up reading Outdoor Life, Peterson's Hunting, Sports Afield, Feild and Stream, and a whole bunch of other hunting magazines.

One magazine published an article on glare and how shiny barrels spook game from a distance. Soon after there was a sworay of products on the market to prevent glare off bows, rifles, scopes binos, and shotguns. Paints and tapes weren't favored due to ruining and/ or damaging the finishes on fine rifles. Hence the gun sleeves/"socks".

Following the article on glare came the article on what colors deer could see and clothing detergents to reduce ultraviolet and human scent, camo and scent eliminating clothing and cover scents, etc, etc, and here we are today.

 

[thoma018]

We used to smoke (soot) out sights when shooting across the course and at 1000 with carbide crystals (same as used in an old miners lamp) in a nifty little lighter called Gunsmoke; its probably still available and even if it isn't there are aerosol (spray) sight black products that you could use. I think the aerosol product would cover a barrel better. Check the web for Champions Choice and other High Power websites.

 

[HankBuck]

For those of us who grew up reading Outdoor Life, Peterson's Hunting, Sports Afield, Feild and Stream, and a whole bunch of other hunting magazines.

One magazine published an article on glare and how shiny barrels spook game from a distance. Soon after there was a sworay of products on the market to prevent glare off bows, rifles, scopes binos, and shotguns. Paints and tapes weren't favored due to ruining and/ or damaging the finishes on fine rifles. Hence the gun sleeves/"socks".

Following the article on glare came the article on what colors deer could see and clothing detergents to reduce ultraviolet and human scent, camo and scent eliminating clothing and cover scents, etc, etc, and here we are today.

@Ridge Runner - agree with “and here we are Today”….believing and more importantly “Buying” everything written about in magazines and mentioned in Hunting Shows, both of which rely heavily on advertising $$$ from the companies that make products they endorse. Those of us that hunted before 1980 rarely used or saw camo and certainly Not Gun hunting for deer or Big game, it was rare in the Duck blind too….now it is a staple Head-to-toe and a Billion $$ wardrobe. I think it doesn’t hurt, sometimes helps, but is never essential. My favorite New gadget is the “Range Finder” and find it very helpful, the best invention for rifle hunting since the “Scope”. My other favorite “real” improvements: Pop Up tent Blinds; Cross Bow technology (even though I use compound); Climbing tree stands; E-Callers for Predators; GoreTex. My favorite Marketing & Advertising Genius/Gimmicks:
1). Scopes on Turkey shotguns.
2). Camo as a “Fashion Statement”, 1000+ patterns.
3). All Scent Eliminating products - with a special Award to the electronic ones!
I won’t claim that none of them work - just not to the extent advertised and not needed. These are only my options and obviously highly biased based on my experience and general sour-grumpy nature regarding anything “new”. Also, if IF I had invented any of these gimmicks or had my own TV Hunting Show - I’d be hawking everyone of these Products !!

 

[Red Leg]

I am not sure about the whole rifle glare phenomena. I have been hunting for a while and in a lot of different environments - in sunshine and shadow. For the last twenty-five years or so that has been with rust blue or coated barrels like an R8. But for the first forty, I largely used firearms with high gloss finishes. I have had game spot my face, see movement, and catch my scent. However, I am confident I have never seen a game animal frightened by barrel or scope glare (that too was a popular for a while and created a small industry for a few years with sun shades for telescopic sights - the legacy of some other gun writer). I sure as heck would not put an adhesive product on any rifle I remotely cared about.

 

[SaintPanzer]

For those of us who grew up reading Outdoor Life, Peterson's Hunting, Sports Afield, Feild and Stream, and a whole bunch of other hunting magazines.

One magazine published an article on glare and how shiny barrels spook game from a distance. Soon after there was a sworay of products on the market to prevent glare off bows, rifles, scopes binos, and shotguns. Paints and tapes weren't favored due to ruining and/ or damaging the finishes on fine rifles. Hence the gun sleeves/"socks".

Following the article on glare came the article on what colors deer could see and clothing detergents to reduce ultraviolet and human scent, camo and scent eliminating clothing and cover scents, etc, etc, and here we are today.

 

[Flewis]

Guys, they make a product called dulling spray. I think you can get it at a craft store. We use it on stuff on tv shows

 

[BRICKBURN]

Camo equine tape.

https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=2dce5ffd-79a0-4ce6-ab88-00e7304d68bd

No sticky residue and should have no effect on harmonics.
DB

and the benefit of a very rough surface.

 

[skydiver386]

Several others beat me to it. Used several types, but found this to be the best and easiest to use.

Gear Aid Camo Form Protective Gun Wrap Multicam

Camo Form camo wrap from Gear Aid gives you the option of a camo gun, without having to spend the money on a different gun. This heavy-duty stretch...

ads.midwayusa.com

 

[DrBob]

Paste wax (like Turtle Wax)... but don't buff it off. Take the can with you for touch ups.