Chrome lined, Chrome moly, or stainless??

prproulx

I ask too many questions
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I was looking at the RRA website and there seem to be three different barrel types.

It was all so simple when I bought my first AR. I didn't know a thing. Now there are too many choices!

Can anyone explain the differences and what is best?
 
chromoly- standard barrel material. not much resistance to corrossion.
chrome lined- better resistance to corrossion but not as accurate as chromoly, but almost as good
stainless-best corossion restance, arguably the best accuracy.
 
Cocked&Locked said:
Why would you chrome line SS? you already have corrosion protection due to the alloy, so why degrade accuracy by plating it?

chrome lining is more about wear resistance and durability than it is about corrosion. In the military you clean your rifle every day, sometimes more than that.

A chrome lined bore lasts roughly twice as long as a non-chromed bore before being shot out, even if the barrle is stainless.

And by the way, stainless DOEs rust and DOEs pit if you use corrosive ammo or don't oil it.

Don't believe me? Try it.

Stainless utensils are made of a different alloy than rifle parts. The stainless used in rifle has less nickel so that the steel remains ductile and not brittle. It's not true "stainless". "Stain resistant" is a better term to describe it, but doesn't sell as many rifles ;)
 
Stainless (good stainless) is easier to clean than Chrome Lined and just about as long lived.

I have a 16" Douglas SS bbl that has over 16K thru it and still shoots well
 
Out of Kreiger barrel web site : '' For example a chrome moly barrel may take longer to break in than stainless steel because it is more abrasion resistant even though it is the same hardness.''

Bushmaster use chrome moly on their top of the line Varmitter.
I rate them #1 for Match grade accuracy closely followed by Stainless.
Chrome lined barrel have a high round count durability but usually are not as accurate ( Before someone get really excited, I am comparing match - extreme accuracy !! ) due to the difficulty to get a perfect coverage : land and groove have to be cut larger to allow for the chrome lining and variation in tolerance is usually the result. Chrome barrel can be damaged by some copper fouling solvent. The chrome layer is very resistant to rust but not rust proof. But tough they are, the best choice for the military and high rounds shooters.

Chrome moly barrel need more TLC ( frequent cleaning and mandatory oiling ), stainless a bit less care and Chrome lined need the minimum care - manufacturer even recommend not to clean them too often. ( damage to the chrome lining with rods and chemical ).

Hope this help in your choice.
 
Claven2 said:
And by the way, stainless DOEs rust and DOEs pit if you use corrosive ammo or don't oil it.

;)


yep, I know that, but we're talking AR barrels here aren't we? I've never seen corrosive 5.56. That dosen't mean it's not out there.....
 
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