Re-barrel on a Remington 700 Heirloom - Bluing

I inherited a few rifles from my grandfather a few years ago, one of them is a Remington 700 chambered in 7 RUM. I'd like to rebuild it a bit and take it hunting one day, but try to keep it semi-original and "classic". I will find a nice walnut stock for it and I want to re-barrel. The barrel on it is shot, and I don't really want to shoot a 7 RUM anyway, so I'd like to put on a new barrel in .257 Wby Mag. I'll probably buy a Bartlein or similar in 3B or so profile. I'm looking for a gunsmith who can chamber the barrel and also blue the barrel to match the action and bottom metal. It's kind of a brushed semi-gloss. Would be great if I can find someone in DFW, I'm just not familiar with gunsmiths who could do quality bluing work. Thank you!

Does this belong in the Gunsmith section?

I'd talk to Mike Bryant about it. https://bryantcustom.com/

JPatzig said:

but try to keep it semi-original and "classic".

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According to your statements, 'semi-original' is kinda out of the question since the only part left is the receiver, bolt and bottom metal I guess. Like so many others, we start with an action and add onto it with our selection of other parts. 'Classic' will always be questionable based on the opinions of others.

JPatzig said:

also blue the barrel to match the action and bottom metal.

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Matching the bluing from one part to another is difficult at best. The process is not exact. The best solution for matching is to have all the parts blued at the same time. Here the question is, if the bottom metal is typically the Remington cheap aluminum which cannot be blued. To include aluminum parts it's easier to specify Cerakote and have all the parts done at the same time.

Build what you want but use the Cerakote to get the matching finish.

just cerakote it. It will be hard for the gunsmith to match the bluing.

Have the entire gun re-blued. Removing the existing blue is not all that difficult and if matching is important it's the only way. Expect it to cost more than the spray paint coatings just because there is a little chemistry and art to the process, also it's just not as popular now so there are less people doing it.

You will want to check the bottom metal and trigger guard for being carbon steel which can be blued.

Generally Remington parts like this are aluminum and hot bluing destroys aluminum. The chemistry is usually ruined as well.

Check first!

It won't matter about matching, since you won't have much of your grandaddy's gun left anyway.

I've got a very similar 700 in 300rum and when talking with my gunsmith about cerakote with the engraving he was worried about it filling the engraving in spots and thus not having the beautiful engraving anymore. Blue is not exact but it will look better. I was looking to add a wyatts box to mine and some required opening the ejection on the top of the receiver up and cutting thru the engraving . I opted for the just a bit bigger than stock option so only the under side of the receiver was cut just a bit

Once again, what do you do with the traditional bottom metal from Remington which is usually aluminum?

Aluminum is destroyed in Bluing Salts!

This is a tough one. I get the sentimental value of it, but trying to match the blueing will be difficult. Not to mention finding people who actually do it anymore is harder and harder.

If you want to make it "classic" looking and put it in a walnut stock and have a fully blued rifle, then go for it, but be prepared to put some money towards that project.

If you want to go hunting with your grand father's old rifle, then just pull the barrel and go with a remage.

Frank in the Laurels said:

..for all the expense are you sure you want to do it ? Going to have to pick a cartridge with the same basic bolt face unless you really want to $$$$$.

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This is true, although there's only .003 difference in cartridge base diameter. He could try to cycle some 257. WBY cases through to test it. Another option is to go with a SAUM cartridge and wildcat it for 25 cal. Or just do one of the SAUM's.