Rebarreling questions

[krumfola]

I've got a BDL Varmint Special in 308 that I picked up from a member here and it'll need a new barrel before too much longer. I don't shoot competitively so the rifle is mainly used for informal long range shooting (600-800 yards) and hunting. I hunt primarily in bean fields and while the 308 isn't ideal for longer range hunting, I feel like by limiting my shots to reasonable distances and using good bullets, it works. I constantly see barrels for sale here in the classifieds and nearly all are stainless. I don't really want to change the look of the rifle. I like the gloss blued/walnut look.

My questions are...

1. Can a stainless barrel be blued?

2. I don't often see blued rifles here on the forum and have no idea who to use to get it blued. Are there any smiths that would be willing to chamber, install, and blue the barrel? What can I expect to see in costs for these services assuming I provide the barrel?

3. Would it be a better idea altogether to sell the rifle and put the money that would've gone towards the rebarreling along with the money for the sale of the rifle towards a new set-up? If I were to take this route, I would still like to be able to use the rifle for informal shooting and hunting so suggestions on a cartridge would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Keith

 

[jscandale]

Although 416 stainless is just barely stainless steel, is magnetic, and will oxidize, it will not blue like chrome moly.

JS

 

[Preacher]

I've seen Winchester SS barrels that have a blued look to them, and it can be done, but it takes a special process to do it..
Melonite may be a better choice...
Not a thing wrong with a 308 at any sane distance, altho I prefer the 7 MM's....

 

[watercam]

The trick is getting them glossy as well. Stainless generally needs to be coated unless one uses a salt bath treatment (which never seems to come out glossy). Any decent gunsmith usually offers blueing services in addition to barreling and every other normal gunsmithing service. Do a search in your area and ask fellow shooters.
There are a lot of very good gunsmiths on this forum, ask if any of them want to do the work via a new post.