I have an old Herters 308 Norma Mag and the barrel has finally worn out.
As this story goes, I was about to put in an order to get a new barrel made and upgrade to a stainless barrel. My son got wind of this and started in on me how the rifle would look like a three piece jigsaw puzzle.
Old blue Mauser action, stainless barrel and black composite stock.
So back and forth we go on the subject of how the old girl would look when I brought up the point we dont have one to compare too or know someone who has done the same upgrade/repair.
Here is the fun part, we made a bet and I have to abide by what the popular vote is here in this forum whether to use the stainless barrel or go for the old blue, could even use a chrome moly and blue it as well.
So its up to you guys, have fun.
Regards, Greygriz

How many years did it take you to wear out the original? Consider that before giving weight to the long life of stainless barrels (and that's not nearly as true today as it was 20years ago).


Unless you intend to refinish the action, then even a new blued barrel is going to be "a three piece jigsaw puzzle"...just a bit more sedate.

Personally, I'd probably go with a standard blue steel barrel for a good maker.

Well, Sir - I have a customized Brazilian Mod 1908 Mauser that has a black syntethic stock, a blued action and a stainless Shilen barrel (fluted). I don't see nuttin' wrong with it and have had compliments on it's appearance. Has a matte black scope mounted, too. Tell your son its your rifle and you'll do what you want to! :p

my personal opinion is who really cares what it looks like as long as you can hit what you are shooting at. never seen a national competition for the prettiest rifle. just my .02$

You know that most smiths can give you a stainless barrel that's coated to look very simular to blue. Got a friend with a Remington just had that done, but I agree with kdub in that it doesn't look bad at all. I've done that to several rifles that got rebarreled and it looks good. The advantage of the stainless is they seem to last longer.

Just for kicks and giggles are you going to stay with the 308 Norma or go to something else. I started hunting with one back in the 60's and it was a great cartridge. Gave it to my niece's new husband lots of years ago for a wedding present and he's still killing elk, deer and moose now that he's retired to Alaska with it.

I'll throw in a vote for the blue barrel. Stainless, while it may last longer, is more brittle than CrMo steel.

The Winchester Coyote comes with a blued action, stainless barrel and laminate stock. It kind of grows on you, personally I like the look. Stainless can be colored also. The difference in barrel life between a moly and stainless barrel isn't that great and a standard barrel won't rust with resonable care so it comes down to personal preference.

I have a blued Winchester 70 action, synthetic H-S Precision stock in grey and black, and a stainless Black star barrel, which is a light grey color. I think it looks nice. Nicer than the all-stainless Remington 700 with the laminate stock.
Go with thw stainless.

Guess I never thought of the stainless and blue as being mismatched, figured it gave the rifle a "custom" appearance, certainly more distinctive. How many stainless rifles have black scopes?

From a practical stand point, since this is a hunting rifle either choice will work and last well. If durability was an issue I'd tip the table towards stainless.

Not the greatest pictures but seein might help.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e153/Lumberjak/SSBl008.jpg


The bottom rillfe is what bsn mentioned, a factory Winchester Coyote

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e153/Lumberjak/SSBl003.jpg

stainless all the way, i love stainless barrels, and the blued bolt wouldnt stand out bad enough to make a difference

Just for kicks and giggles are you going to stay with the 308 Norma or go to something else. I started hunting with one back in the 60's and it was a great cartridge. Gave it to my niece's new husband lots of years ago for a wedding present and he's still killing elk, deer and moose now that he's retired to Alaska with it.[/quote]

Yes the old 308 Norma Mag will stay. I have lots of buds with the win mag 300, super mag, one with a 338 mag, several with the 7mm mag. I like the long range accuracy and knock down power of this caliber.
Its a pain for finding casings now and then but I bought the rifle cheap, it has always fired straight until the barrel finally wore out. The last moose I took was just over five hundred yards-one shot. All the guys who say its an outdated round I dont understand. But the ballistics books say it keeps up with al the new stuff, just you have to reload your own or live with super expensive Norma loads and only in 220 grain.
I use the Nosler 180g ballistic tip and love them. Moose, elk and bear all go down well. In fact sometimes I dont like using the Norma when elk hunting in close areas, my old 3006 is better.
Your nieces husband if he is like me will not ever give it up, the old 308 norma is a good round to hunt with.

Not the greatest pictures but seein might help.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e153/Lumberjak/SSBl008.jpg


The bottom rillfe is what bsn mentioned, a factory Winchester Coyote

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e153/Lumberjak/SSBl003.jpg
Thanks luberjak, thats a nice rifle pic. Gives me a nice view of what might be. Its fun to read all the responses so far the on issue of the blue or stainless barrel with this little bet with my son The one response about "no pretty gun awards" or "as long as it hits what its pointed at" from the others have given me a laugh. Thats why we made the bet, for some fun and keep the old girl rockin. Thanks for the input, Bruce