Tikka t3x stainless vs blued. Pros/Cons for each.

[Macintosh]

Sorry to revive/necromance this thread but was hoping for more experiences with blued Tikkas in inclement weather? Assuming you put some maintenance into them (yes I know stainless needs it too) do they both hold up well enough?

The stainless is $200 more here

Its always interesting to see my own comment from a while ago. Sometimes I find that Ive changed my tune. In this case my response is exactly the same as it was a year ago above^^. I live in Northern New England, it rains a lot, it snows a lot, its pretty humid. And I clean my guns at least once a year whether they need it or not. (Thats not really true, but Im not overly anal about it). Unless you are coastal and dealing with salt, Im not sure you’ll find too many climates that are so much harsher wrt rust. What type of “inclement weather” are you worried about?

 

[Igloo]

Its always interesting to see my own comment from a while ago. Sometimes I find that Ive changed my tune. In this case my response is exactly the same as it was a year ago above^^. I live in Northern New England, it rains a lot, it snows a lot, its pretty humid. And I clean my guns at least once a year whether they need it or not. (Thats not really true, but Im not overly anal about it). Unless you are coastal and dealing with salt, Im not sure you’ll find too many climates that are so much harsher wrt rust. What type of “inclement weather” are you worried about?

3-4 days in rain/snow while tent camping (probably longer trips would have to be unlucky to have worse weather than that though)

At worst

 

[General RE LEE]

3-4 days in rain/snow while tent camping (probably longer trips would have to be unlucky to have worse weather than that though)

At worst

Carry a dry towel and some rust preventative.

These towelettes are awesome. They have Barricade which is an excellent rust preventative.

https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/products/barricade-rust-protection-take-alongs-25-wipes.html?srsltid=AfmBOormX_7_F8fReWe7Rj4r8NHRHjgGAzH95rFo8-rzsplk8tRxKI7l

 

[Igloo]

Carry a dry towel and some rust preventative.

These towelettes are awesome. They have Barricade which is an excellent rust preventative.

https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/products/barricade-rust-protection-take-alongs-25-wipes.html?srsltid=AfmBOormX_7_F8fReWe7Rj4r8NHRHjgGAzH95rFo8-rzsplk8tRxKI7l

Thanks! I *think* those are available locally...if not, can always order them. Honestly would be doing the same for a stainless rifle anyway so no big deal to me. Was planning on "dry rag, plus a rag with ballistol" or eezox or what have you.

And I'm assuming, lots of dry patches down the barrel as well, especially when the rifle comes into shelter from the cold?


Do you guys find that the stainless rifle barrels clean a lot easier? Much less work to get the fouling out?

 

[Sled]

Thanks! I *think* those are available locally...if not, can always order them. Honestly would be doing the same for a stainless rifle anyway so no big deal to me. Was planning on "dry rag, plus a rag with ballistol" or eezox or what have you.

And I'm assuming, lots of dry patches down the barrel as well, especially when the rifle comes into shelter from the cold?


Do you guys find that the stainless rifle barrels clean a lot easier? Much less work to get the fouling out?

To be honest, I don't clean that often. Maybe at the end of just prior to or at the end of a hunting season if I put a lot of rounds through it. I usually patch out a barrel when it's wet but not truly clean it. As for the outside, wipe it down or paint it. For the cost you described you could buy blued and cerekote it, then now worry about the outside and the weather.

 

[Broken Twigg]

The stainless steel used provides a good level of rust resistance. Others have said to carry a towel for wiping down a blued version, but rain and snow with get to areas you can't easily clean in the field. It really isn't that much more cost to jump to the stainless. Weigh your priorities/concerns and put function over form. This will get the right answer for your question.

 

[General RE LEE]

Thanks! I *think* those are available locally...if not, can always order them. Honestly would be doing the same for a stainless rifle anyway so no big deal to me. Was planning on "dry rag, plus a rag with ballistol" or eezox or what have you.

And I'm assuming, lots of dry patches down the barrel as well, especially when the rifle comes into shelter from the cold?


Do you guys find that the stainless rifle barrels clean a lot easier? Much less work to get the fouling out?

Bore Snake for the bore. Maybe a little solvent like Hoppes ahead of the brush part. That should get out any moisture. I carry a Bore Snake in truck.

 

[Sled]

rain and snow with get to areas you can't easily clean in the field. It really isn't that much more cost to jump to the stainless.

All of my stainless tikkas have rust staining under the action and scope rings. None of my cerakoted hactions have that problem. And I could take them apart after each use in humid conditions but the reality is, I won't be doing that.

 

[The Harbor Master]

Same here as others have said. No rust issues on a blued T3 Varmint and a blued T3x Compact. The compact hasn't seen much terrible weather but the Varmint has been snowed on quite a bit. I dry it thoroughly and wipe down with CLP. If Im feeling extra worried about it I remove it from the stock and wipe the entire barreled action, just in case.

I'm in the "don't clean the barrel unless you have to" camp, but will run a dry patch, then lightly oiled patch, then dry patch or two, if I suspect any moisture in the barrel... which is rare.

 

[Broken Twigg]

All of my stainless tikkas have rust staining under the action and scope rings. None of my cerakoted hactions have that problem. And I could take them apart after each use in humid conditions but the reality is, I won't be doing that.

I agree that cerakoted is better for hard to reach areas, but he asked about blued vs stainless. Of the 2 choices, the one with rust resistance would be better.

 

[Igloo]

The whole "its stainless IN the bore where cerakote is only on the outside" thing kinda makes sense, I mean if you can live with perhaps light surface oxidation on the outside. The inside should be better off and clean up easier.

How easier I wonder.