Bought a new Model 70 Featherweight 264 this weekend. got it home and ready to mount the scope. Took almost an hour to remove the sticker on the barrel it was grown onto it came off in little bits even after oil and solvent. After I got it all off I found there were several spots that looked like the bluing was flecking. Gun shop is sending it back to Winchester. Wonder how long it will take before I get the gun back.

Seriously, you are a "riflegunbuilder" or is that a farce? You probably should have used a hair blow dryer to heat the sticker a bit and pull it off very easily. It shouldn't take "almost an hour", as you state, to remove a sticker. Just a thought..

I used to build rifles. Children and life changed that direction.

Bejesus....!!

Sometimes all one can do is smile, shake your head, and move on.....

A legitimate point O/P offering here!

Predicate. Speaking here of the label from hell. I’ve experienced a few! Those that defy ordinary “pesky” category drudgery removal procedures. Well toward hazarding potential damage to underlying surfaces.
Observations:
1. Ultra difficult labels to remove, likely manufacturer packaging “defect”. Moreover foreseeable and consequential damage… Manufacturer, “label liable”.
2. Consumers shouldn’t be expected to posses tools, time or expertise to undertake special removal techniques! That particularly where hazarding product damage as biproduct.
3. Pointedly informing the manufacture via product return for adjustment is likely the best way both to achieve best results AND ‘bell over head’ packaging problem notification in graphic format!

4. The aside, suggestion a "gun builder" should be label removal nuances versed… Great point… in 1940 as yet the era of ‘generalists”! “Specialist” nowadays, implying rather the opposite! No expectation in respect of exceptional adhesion circumstances.

I congratulate the O/P for his actions in returning for adjustment with potential notification in wider customer service sense.

My take!
Best & Stay Safe!
John

Talked to a friend that is a dealer about 2 hours from me, he said he has had two browning rifles with pitting under the barrel. I'm assuming the stickers are similar.

IIRC, I've bought 5 Winchesters with the barrel label.

On the first one I noticed that the barrel label was adhered pretty good so I pealed a small portion away with my finger nail and then I applied Kroil, just a little bit, to the exposed underside area. Three, maybe four, Kroil applications and it came off very easily. Since then the others have received the Kroil treatment even though none of them appeared to need it.

Sometimes it pays to think and to experiment before getting a hammer out to solve a problem. Just sayin'....

Just take the gun and lay it in the floorboard of the truck for a week. Then it will all blend in together. 👌😎