243win said:
Caliderscope,
barrel manufacturers state stainless lasts longer
below is one quote.
Obviously we want to use the best barrel we can get, but what type of barrel? Stainless Steel! When replacing a barrel on just about any rifle, the advantages of stainless definitely outweigh those of chromoly. First, stainless will not pit inside the bore from moisture. This is a common problem with factory (chromoly) barrels because the bore is totally unprotected. When pitting occurs the roughness can cause severe accuracy problems. Second, stainless will tend to be more accurate then chromoly. Lastly, the accuracy life of a stainless barrel will be about 30% longer then chromoly.
steve
Its not a pi**ing contest, its just fact mate, here is on of many well respected people in the know. A mate of mine is also an engineer (Riflesmith) in Norway who also works in the Oil industry, he knows a bit!
Contrary to genral impressions Stainless steel that is used in the
firearms is not more difficult but is much more machineable than
chromoly. The s/s used in barrel steel is stainless screw stock 416R made
to run on auto screw machines at high speed. The steel used in s/s
actions is 1704, a tougher steel that take more tool pressure but
machines nicely. Stainless doesn't have the tensile strength that a
chromoly like 4340 does. Due to the softness of barrel s/s which is 27
to 29 Rockwell C it will not last as long as 4140 and while it is
believed to withstand heat erosion better I have not found that to be
true. As a summery due the better machine ability, s/s barrels can be
made with closer dimensions and surface finishes. It will produce more
accurate barrels. The sole benefit of fluted barrels is that to some
people it looks neat. If you are lucky a fluted barrel will shoot as
well as or nearly as well as an unfluted barrel. And the gunsmith needs
the money.
Gale McMillan