Stainless or steel barrels?

[Onewarmguy]

Hi all, is there really any advantage to a stainless steel barrel vs a blued/painted steel one?

 

[ea187]

don't think there is any performance increases but it resists rust much better and some people like the look better.

 

[stubblejumper]

Some barrel makers claim slightly longer barrel life with stainless.

 

[ea187]

Some barrel makers claim slightly longer barrel life with stainless.

I could see that. Stainless is harder than regular steel.

 

[stubblejumper]

I could see that. Stainless is harder than regular steel.

You might want to look up the hardness of 416 stainless, and compare it to 4140 steel.

 

[target]

IMO it's strictly a corrosion and cosmetic benefit. I don't believe there is any durability increase or decrease.

 

[Jahred.F]

IMO it's strictly a corrosion and cosmetic benefit. I don't believe there is any durability increase or decrease.

I would tend to agree with this, rimfires aren't exactly hard on barrels either.

 

[jackrabbit000]

 

[223762]

ive heard stainless heats up faster than steel. not sure tho?

 

[stubblejumper]

The opinion of one well respected barrel maker

h ttp://www.riflebarrels.com/faq_lilja_rifle_barrels.htm#stainless steel barrels

The primary difference between the two types, as far as rifle barrels are concerned, is that chrome-moly can be blued and stainless steel cannot be using conventional methods. Rifle barrels made from stainless steel will last longer, as related to throat erosion, than chrome-moly. Stainless steel resists heat erosion better. Also we can get a slightly better internal finish when lapping with stainless steel.