re-blueing process for pre-64 Model 70

Brno8x57

Brno8x57

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I just returned from a sheep hunt near Atlin with my son. We spent 7 days in the alpine and saw the sun for only parts of 2 of those days. Our weather for the first 4 days pretty much confined us to camp. Fog was so thick at times we couldn't see 30 feet. When the fog lifted, it rained heavily for hours at a time. We were not successful but did see a ton of game when we were able to scout and glass the hillsides. Caribou, Mtn Goat and Dall Sheep and moose.

I have a pre-64 Model 70 fwt that has been hunted hard all its life and there is more grey gun metal showing than blue. Always maintained, cleaned and oiled after every outing and it is my go to gun for crappy weather. I put a McMillan composite stock on it about 20 years ago.

This year with our awful weather, despite being oiled inside and out, there was so much condensation and humidity that rust started to show up on the outer surface of the barrel.

I have heard about the Radocy re-blueing process and I am wondering if it is suitable for this rifle? I also remember reading somewhere about older Winchesters not taking a re-blueing very well due to the alloy of steel used in their barrels and actions. Is there any truth to this? If so is there a different process that I could use to weatherproof this rifle. I do not want to re-barrel as this old rig is a great shooter and is not even close to being worn out. Also, I am not really crazy about Teflon coating or Parkerized finishes.
Your thoughts??
 
I would support Kamlooky on keeping it original. __ in fact, if you look at HIS lever gun photos, they are pretty much polished white , but in beautiful condition (how do you keep them rust free??)-- actually-- 'looky -- please post up a couple pics!
However-- i will tell you, if you are stuck on re-bluing, the Radocy is the one that will blue nicely. Its Oxynate that seems to fail miserably at bluing old winchesters (pre-64). I dont know why, but i have asked the online smithys and that is the concensus. THe oxynate is a simpler process where the gun is boiled in the mixture with a pre dip and post dip, i believe (you can watch some on you tube).
I have used radocy on my pre-64 model 94, and it worked brilliantly. Its a lot more work than oxynate, since you need to dip, card boil, wipe, 8 or 9 times, but it blued up mine perfectly
here are some pics. There us a bit of flare from the camera flash, but i can assure you it matches the barrel perfectly. Its the 3rd one from the top in the second photo. (the one above it is an untouched 1977 model)
IMG_4658_zps1ddc3e05.jpg

IMG_4754_zpsuxwxvy68.jpg
 
Sometimes Winchester steel will take extra effort to black with the "Belgian Blue", but it (should) will take.
I have seen it done while doing my own blacking along side.
Extra coats and boiling in between were required but it worked.
Give it a go

Years ago I had a Win barrel hot tanked and it would NOT take.
 
I don't remember any great problems re-bluing pre 64 Winchesters when I was doing them. Both with home made salts and with Brownell's. A blued rifle seems to 'hold' an oil or other rust inhibitor better than worn bare metal. I use G96 Gun Treatment in the field to help prevent rust.

A well used and worn Model 70 has very little collector value, it has more shooter value. Fix it up and use it if you like it.
 
Thanks for the replies gentlemen.
I have another rifle (Ross MkII sporterized) that was re-blued with the Radocy process/product and it is a beautiful job.
I think Denis is right about the collector value of my M70. This one has seen a lot of field time over the years. It is just a great old solid hunting rifle that has dropped a considerable number of moose and deer for me since I bought it second hand in 1985. It is a 30-06 so not rare by any means.

Again, thanks for the replies.
 
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