Bluing and Glare

[Ray B]

Several years back I was hunting elk in Washington States Blue Mtns. It was mid day and I was just about to walk down a game trail to a pre-selected site. But before I left a vehicle pulled up and out gets four guys preparing to walk down past my site. As they uncased their rifles I noted one had a commemorative Savage 99- Fancy grade wood, gloss finish; silver plated receiver and lever with gold inlays. I thought to myself: no self respecting elk would be seen near that guy, so I'd better get to my site quick so that they can push any elk to me. I got set-up and several minutes later here came the four. To my disappointment no elk were pushed ahead of them BUT less than 100 yards after they passed I hear a shot. A nice five pt elk had come through the saddle, headed straight for my site, only to be intercepted by mr Savage 99. I talked with them as they field dressed the elk- not only was the guy using a rifle that might as well have had neon lights on it, but it was his first elk hunt- ever. So much for bright guns causing problems. that hunt was in 1981 and I wonder if the guy has had continued success or has been disappointed- since his first impression was that there was nothing to hunting branch antler elk.

 

[Hogpatrol]

@Ray B, Which brings us back to "It's the Indian, not the arrow".

 

[gordon kings langley]

Take the rifle you shoot well with. With good bullets.
Practice shooting of sticks.
Mine is a tikka t3 30-06 with a stainless barrel
Shoot some 300 animals over the years. Only one ph said it was the barrel was a problem and he was a pratt

 

[cperso]

I hunted Cape Buffalo this year with KMG Safaris and during a couple of failed stalks we had a spotter in a Marula tree while we moved in on buffalo. The spotter on a couple of occassions said the glare off our glass faced watches was very visable to a point that both myself and Marius removed them and carried them in our pocket for the remainder of the hunt.

 

[CBH Australia]

So you want to use a blued timber rifle in Africa, I say do it. The trophy photos will be much prettier and you will be happy you did.
It looks traditional and kinda suits Africa.
Don’t confuse it with Alaska, different weather and an excuse to buy the right rifle for that trip.

 

[BenKK]

Have hunted Africa successfully and happily with both blue and stainless, getting close to animals with both.