Bolt jewelling - Just cosmetic? Or functional?

[roob]

G'day,

I just posted about DIY jewelling a bolt on one of my Tikkas and have been searching for info on it.

I though that jewelling helped the bolt move smoother, but reading some other comments some are adamant it is only for looks.

Now a bit confused.

What's the story chaps?

Just cosmetic? Or functional as well?

Thanks.

[on_one_wheel]

Jeweling is also called Engine Turning and Damascening, it holds oil better to prevent rust. It's sometimes done to reduce friction, Quite often its done just to look nice.

[chilliman]

my R700s have jewelled bolts - not sure if it's form or function but they sure look nice.

[Usurper]

The 'only for looks' thing is something that's got distorted a bit.

Jewelling is done at times to hide rough machining marks. I suspect people have read this and leapt to the conclusion that it's only cosmetic.

Same old, same old. People read something on the internet then spout it off like experts and it becomes one of these "truths".

Like on_one_wheel said, holding a layer more oil is a function when it's done.

It does just look pretty too though...

[Tinked]

It does just look pretty too though...

TBH I have to say I think that's 99% of it.

Maybe it holds a little extra oil but I've used a few each way and couldn't feel a difference.

Gotta clean and oil them both anyway to protect them.

No difference for me anyway.

[paps]

Doesn't it help to shift grit too?

A grain of sand or whatever can more out more easily with the jewelling or something?

Could be wrong...

[Hadoku]

Doesn't it help to shift grit too?

I wouldn't think so. Not to a noticeable level anyway.

So little material is (or should) be removed in the jewelling. Certainly not enough for a grain of sand to move freely between it an the action.

I give it points just for looks.

[Norton]

I give it points just for looks.

Nothing wrong with making your ladies pretty

[roob]

Thanks for replies guys.

Sounds like it's mostly cosmetic.

That's ok anyway, still something I'm keen to give a go.

If it's 99% cosmetic 1% functional I guess it's a 1% bonus I didn't have before

[Oldbloke]

Wouldnt a shiny bolt increase the likelyhood of spooking game due to reflections?

[Mark TAC]

^^^ yeah but a bolt that scatters the light would mean the reflection is less intense in any given direction?

Comparing a normal silver bolt with a jewelled bolt that is.

If relection was a big deal I think we'd see black bolts on everything bar budget rifes? And maybe anti reflection grates on all scopes

Dunno, just thoughts

I jewelled my bolt to look purdy on a custom build.

If all I wanted was the slight increase in slipperiness (as jewelling may hold oil better) AND I had to pay $100 or whatever it is for jewelling, I'd rather spend the $100 on getting the bolt done in Cerakote Microslick black....

[Sender]

This is just totally from casual observation and not any type of real testing...

I've noticed the jewelled bolts are a bit more noticeable but give out a diffused glow rather than a bright pin point like a regular surface.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other I guess.