Is it safe to say that SS rifle barrels stay cleaner than CM barrels with the same dimensions and twist, etc.? Thank you.

CB,
I cannot say I have ever noticed a difference in the amount of fouling between the two. Throat erosion now thats a cat of a different color.
John

NOr have I, barrels tend to be individuals, I personally like Chrome moly, because I like blue guns and wood, and locally its easier to find someone to blue Chrome moly..SS is for guns used under severe climatec conditions with plastic stocks Strictly my take on the subject without going into the whys and whyfores of techknowledgy..

quote:

Originally posted by custombolt:
Is it safe to say that SS rifle barrels stay cleaner than CM barrels with the same dimensions and twist, etc.? Thank you.

Yes, its been my experience that match grade barrels on the most accurate equipment on earth, stainless barrels have a significant advantage when it comes to cleaning.

However for the majority of my rifles, its a non-issue since most rifles are not capable of showing the difference, assuming we are talking about quality, custom barrels that are properly lapped for both stainless and moly barrels.

quote:

Originally posted by custombolt:
Is it safe to say that SS rifle barrels stay cleaner than CM barrels with the same dimensions and twist, etc.? Thank you.

BY cleaner if you mean rust yes other dirt no different.

Gundog
More comments on the throat erosion?

Throat erosion is caused by abuse for the most part, proper cleaning and proper fireing with time to cool slows the process down greatly..I have a special varmint rifle that Ive babied to death that still shoots tiny groups after 3000 plus rounds, I't shoots so good I have never allowed it to get too hot, warm is time to switch if your intent on proving a point or preserving that special barrel..

I just shoot them the way I want to, and when they erode I toss the barrel and stick another on, usually around 2000 rounds, SS or chrome moly. Perhaps the SS will last longer, but not enough make any difference to me.. I don't want or need to know, makes life simpler..

Krieger Barrels and Bartlein Barrels, two of the top makers of Palma and F-class barrels, have previously stated that there should be negligible differences in the efforts of maintenance between stainless steel and chrome moly barrels.

I don't think we can compare match barrels with normal barrels.

In normal hunting, factory rifles, I have seen so much variations in the quality, and ease of cleaning.

Immaterial whether they are stainless or not, some barrels seem to get dirty very quickly, and very hard to get cleaned.

Others seem to be the opposite.

Thanks. Not worth the switch to SS. Check.

Rifle barrels are a gamble..but todays barrels are pretty damn good..I like Lothar Walther because they all tend to shoot 1/2 to 3/4 groups, so Im good with that..They are really popular down this way...Lots of good barrel makers in the USA..