Cruiser.308 Report post Posted August 28, 2014 I have 1970 Sako that I would love to bring back to life. Really nice rifle but it has some pitting that I don't like looking at. Anyone here restores guns or could recommend a gunsmith to take a look at it for me? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
southernxpress Report post Posted September 1, 2014 The pitting makes it tough. It could be sanded down past the pits and then blued but that will likely take some of the lettering with it too... or something you could do at home would be to get some of the metal epoxies and fill the pits and then use like duracoat or cerakote to paint it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4Falls Report post Posted September 1, 2014 Maybe a light sand and a reblue will camoflauge the pitting to a point where it will be tolerable to you. Its a sweet rifle for sure. It deserves to be outside working for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cruiser.308 Report post Posted September 2, 2014 That's the direction I was thinking to go too. It's a shame previous owner didn't take better care of it. The rifle is in like brand new condition but it was stored improperly. If not for pitting this Sako would be worth over $1600. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted September 2, 2014 Another thought would be to parkerize it. I did that with a BAR in 300 WM I bought when they first came out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cruiser.308 Report post Posted September 2, 2014 Another thought would be to parkerize it. I did that with a BAR in 300 WM I bought when they first came out.Not a bad idea, it would hide pitting a lot better too. I'm not sure how good it would look doe. I like it on hand guns but never had parkerized hunting rifle. I'll have to look at some to see if it would work for this gun. Thanks for ideas, keep them comming. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benbrown Report post Posted September 4, 2014 Parkerizing would not be restoration--the very thought of that makes me cringe. Contact Dan Pedersen (http://www.cutrifle.com/) and see if he might have a take-off barrel that could be reblued and installed. If he doesn't have one, he might have more suggestions about where to find one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjvcon Report post Posted September 4, 2014 Parkerizing would not be restoration--the very thought of that makes me cringe. Contact Dan Pedersen (http://www.cutrifle.com/) and see if he might have a take-off barrel that could be reblued and installed. If he doesn't have one, he might have more suggestions about where to find one. Take off barrel would be the way to go if you want it "original". If not, there are lots of ways to go. I wonder if the pitting could be dealt with with a light media blast and then some kind of a "bondo" type treatment with Dexcon Steel Putty or similar. A good gunsmith would probably know, and even if no one has tried it, it could be worth a try while looking for the take off barrel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
