If you are going to paint your rifle, you need to paint the whole thing. The whole idea is to break up the outline of the weapon so that it doesn't attract unnecessary attention from what it is being aimed at. Mask off the scope lenses, the ejection port and moving parts of the bolt and spray away. My brother did a Stevens model 200 in a solid coat of Krylon Tan then wrapped the whole rifle in the plastic mesh that you see in screen doors. He then sprayed the rifle in selected spots with Krylon brown and got a nice mesh pattern effect that totally breaks up the shape of the rifle. It looks great and has lasted very well in the field. I have done binos and a spotting scope (one with the mesh and one with a laundry bag) and both turned out great.