I have always wondered if stainless steel barrels are better or not. I just like to hear opinions. I own both, can't tell much difference in the amount of time to clean plain chrome moly or stainless. The care in manufacturing of the rifling seems to be more important. I personally can not tell much difference in which is more or less accurate.

As you've already stated it's hard to say depends on the barrel, action , assembly , manufacturer process .

SS is more durable , how ever CM barrels with hard chrome bores Well ??.

For hunting nasty weather conditions either SS or a fully coated say in PTFE finish would be my first choice . Providing all accuracy were equal .

I also own several in all finishes , Parkerized Mil Spec has with stood the test of time , rode hard put away wet and still looks like it did 65 years ago . So it's a matter of preference .

A fine English Dbl. just wouldn't look or feel right in SS !.
Just like it would be a criminal act to put one in a synthetic stock !.

Say what one will , how ever that's why there are so many different choices of weapons stocks finishes materials .

My one and only complaint is the limited choices for Lefty's . Some times life can be harsh !!!.

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

SS will last approximately 25% longer in the throat resistance to eroding. Ever try to cut SS with a cutting torch??
The Gunsmith I frequent uses Lothar Walther barrels very often, they have their own mix of SS wich is supposed to be superior to 416.
In fact he says it is a catch 22 for him because it is very hard on reamers, and he has to have them sharpened or replaced frequently.
I would think there would be almost no accuracy difference however,
Cdog.

quote:

have always wondered if stainless steel barrels are better or not.

IMO no....but many will disagree.......and a lot of it depends on what the desire for SS was to achieve.

I'm not truly sold on the SS as the "better" material.

I had to decide if I wanted to buy two Browning Composite Stalkers in Cr/Mo or one in SS. I shoot alot of predators in my pecan orchard and I like .204 Ruger Caliber. Browning decent in accuracy,light, smooth bolt, sixty degree on the bolt turn doesn't hit the scope. The 204 is a limited run for Browning and they are discontinued and I could buy the plain (blue)composites stalker for $469.95/ea. or $589.95 for SS. I bought the two Cr/Mo. I carry this type a gun around a lot in my truck and RTV and life is not easy on these guns. I use them. My other 204s are 2 to 3 lbs. heavier and I hate to beat up my Kimber. Thanks for taking the time with the replies.

Isn't there (or, wasn't there) a problem with re-barreling the SS Brownings?

as usual i have to agree to vapodog. but cdog is correct, especially when it comes to high volume shooting. Throat erosion was noted on target ranges where rapid fire events in particular occurred. the stainless barrels helped that. I thing at least that i get better accuracy out of chrome moly, but i don't have to reblue when i rebarrel with stainless.

quote:

Originally posted by crashcarruthers:
... I bought the two Cr/Mo. I carry this type a gun around a lot in my truck and RTV and life is not easy on these guns. I use them. ...

Hey Crash, That being the situation, I'd have recommended the Stainless Models. But I also would have recommended them if they spent most of their time in the Safe.

Blue just doesn't stand up too well when subjected to the rain, mist, fog, and dripping water from the trees, plus the sweat from my hands. And I like the ability to set the rifle on the porch, eat supper and then clean the rifle rather than the other way around.

The Stainless barrels on my rifles look like an old Gray Oak limb when they are inside the woods which is better for my style of Hunting.

Lots of folks are very happy with Blue, but I was sure glad when Stainless became available.

Best of luck with the new rifles.