Blued vs S/S

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NitwiT

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Recently put up my tikka varmint for sale/trade. Got a couple querys back, and while waiting for the ideal one to respond, I've been thinking about the other offers, leading to this question.

What's the long term benefit/reason behind Stainless Steel barrels over blued barrels? Looks doesnt really matter to me, but durability and longevity does.
 
NitwiT said:
Recently put up my tikka varmint for sale/trade. Got a couple querys back, and while waiting for the ideal one to respond, I've been thinking about the other offers, leading to this question.

What's the long term benefit/reason behind Stainless Steel barrels over blued barrels? Looks doesnt really matter to me, but durability and longevity does.
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They "stain less" , but still rust.

There's no benefits to longevity of the bore.
 
There's no benefits to longevity of the bore.
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Some barrel makers and target shooters believe that stainless is slightly more resistant to throat erosion,so it provides slightly longer barrel life.

The big advantage of stainless is that it is more resistant to rust and corrosion,although it is not rust proof.
 
The 4 posts above this one are completely correct, and I feel the the best answer is stubblejumper's.

To answer the question- SS barrels are stainless steel, and blued barrels use chome-moly steel.
 
stubblejumper said:
Some barrel makers and target shooters believe that stainless is slightly more resistant to throat erosion,so it provides slightly longer barrel life.

The big advantage of stainless is that it is more resistant to rust and corrosion,although it is not rust proof.
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There are many types of stainless steels out there. I asked a metallurgist this question years ago. His answer was that it depends on the composition of the steel, whether it's stainless or not.

I have a few stainless rifles and have found that the rust resistance varies greatly between manufacturers. A Wby. Vanguard and Browning A-Bolt I own are worse than some of my blued guns. Maybe the Japanese don't have the stainless figured out yet. :D
 
FWIW Some barrel makers do not manufacture stainless barrels under #5 contour and recommend that SS barrels not be fired in temps colder than -20F...I expect it is their position that chrome-moly stands up better than SS under certain conditions...
 
Didn't Jeff Foxworthy say something like;

"Rednecks are attracted to shiny objects....ufo's, beer cans, fishing lures...that's why bass boats have that glitter finish..."

...and stainless barrels.....
 
The finish on the steel also greatly impacts the rust resistance. It seems that the coarser finishes tend to hold the water droplets better, which promotes rust, and the more smooth, polished SS rifles shed condensation droplets more, and are most rust resistant.
 
bluing does wear from handling, at stock contact points, on moving parts(sometimes unseen till you take apart) and at crown from heat. stainless doesn't wear off (there is more stainless underneath).
I find rust on a stainless doesn't pit as fast, it actually rubs off unnoticed were as with a blued piece it will keep coming back same spot and ruin finish.

stainless happens to be ways easier to apply a finish to as well camo, tactical black etc.

stainles rifle seem to function better in -30 weather . but it may be because my stainless rifle is usually less lubricated as i m not as worried about corrosion
 
416 Stainless, the most common barrel SS, loses some of it's structural integrity at extremely low temps. SS tends to resist throat erosion slightly better than does CM. The difference is not dramatic. It is largely a matter of personal preference. I like blued steel and figured Walnut. someone else may prefer SS and synthetics. To each his own. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Apprently barrel makers can polish SS bores to a mirror finsih more easily, hence the preference for SS in target barrels.

Its odd, some guys make it seem that a blued barrel will rust in your hands and can not take rough hunting conditons at all.

It does appear that, at least anecdotally, that many recalls, burst barrels etc seem more often to be SS....
 
The big thing with stainless for me is the ability to foul the barrel then leave it. I 'll do the final site check and foulers then push a couple of tight dry patches though it then leave it. Tape the muzzle when I take it out but no further lube unless it gets real wet. No need to fire a fouler in the field. I cut 2 1/2" off my first 416 (hacksaw) and left it out in the garden over the winter, no rust at all. We had some good snows that year. It was a Stainless Douglas. I won't hesitate to use my blued guns but when it's raining/snowing it is nice to have stainless.
 
senior said:
I like the looks of a nice Blued barrel BUT for a gun that actualy goes out hunting SS holds up better with less marks & scratchs.
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I agree, S/S and synthetic stocks are good on a rifle that sees a lot of bad weather and rough use. I still prefer wood/blued steel for the esthetics and use mine every year in the field, but stainless/synth is definitely more practical.

Mark
 
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