Does a chrome-molybdenum barrel require bluing?

[JBD]

I am trying to figure out which barrel to buy. The walther lothar comes in stainless 1-8, but in chrome-molybdenum in 1-7. I would prefer the 1-7 to be able to try the heavier grain bullets in my 223. But asthetically I would prefer to leave the barrel in the white as my action is stainless. If I do buy this one and leave it in the white and baby it with sheath will it work?, or will it just rust immediately?.

I believe that I had an unfinished guillard barrel and it was made of chrome-molybdenum and it was not prone to rust, so maybe this is not a big issue.

Can anyone help with this decision.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

Chome moly rust fairly easily. Not sure if the barrel chomoly is any different.

 

[sako6br]

Cromoly is 4140 pre-hard and will rust just fine.
Maybe try an old fashioned browning using Muriatic acid fumes.

 

[CanAm]

if you polish the chromoly and wax/oil it, it will not rust that easily.

 

[guntech]

I don't know about a guillard barrel but Ted Gaillard only makes stainless barrels.

You could spay a clear rustproof finish on top of the polished chrome moly barrel but the bore will always be susceptible to rusting.

 

[thebigslide]

if you polish the chromoly and wax/oil it, it will not rust that easily.

The crown will be susceptable to rust no matter what you do short of nickel plating - which is an option.

 

[tjhaile]

Chrome-Moly steel, such as 4140 or 4150, is fairly common for non-stainless gunmaking applications. It is normally blued or otherwise finished.

 

[CanAm]

The crown will be susceptable to rust no matter what you do short of nickel plating - which is an option.

Of course, that is why you keep it oil as you go along. Blueing is very poor at preventing rust. Bolts, parts and even barrels have been left unfinished for centuries and many devices. Just oil away. I start with paste wax to ensure a solid coat.

 

[Obtunded]

CM are a pain, remember, they rust on the inside too.

I have had some intereting discussions with a machinst/gunsmith that was an advocate of the hardness of CM steel for barrels. He has changed his tune, having discovered that his 4150CM steel barrels were eroding throats far faster than SS. Granted, he is using cartridges that are of a far higher overbore index than a 223. (also, almost every rifle produced for military and tactical application is made with CM to allow the use of optimal finishes.)

FWIW, I'd suggest a SS barrel. It will do everything you want, although you will have to find a maker that will supply your desired twist.

 

[JBD]

Thanks for everyones help. I ended up nixing the lothar walther barrel idea and I am on a waiting list for a stainless maclennan in 1-8.