Is there a distinct difference in the accuracy and barrel life regarding blued barrels vs stainless? I personally like stainless because they can take the elements and ruffer handling and not show it as much as blued. I have 2 stainless guns that shoot excellent, and the 3rd is at the factory for accuracy problems. What is the straight poop!

Jbok,
The biggest difference is in the resistance to gas erosion that stainless provides. In something like a .222 there is little differance with todays steels, but with a 22/250 or .220 Swift the stainless will give longer barrel life.
This is the reason Rem. introduced the 7mm Mag. with a stainless barrel (although it was coated to look blued) back in the '60s.

In the early days of stainless barrels the impuities in stainless steel was controlled alittle better than carbon steels and this resulted in barrels that gave better accuracy in "most" of the stainless barrels. This along with the fact that most stainless barrels were installed as after market by a good gunsmith helped to establish the accuracy reputation they enjoy today.

Of course there are the obvious benefits of stainless, such as weather resistance.
Good Hunting!

Just the way I see it,,,,,

[ 10-29-2003, 20:27: Message edited by: Ma Bell ]