Wondering about a Stainless Steel barrel

Rifleman44

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Hi guys:

When my PAL arrives, I am going to buy a Savage 17 HMR.
It's available with a SS barrel for a bit more money and although I like SS I'm wondering if it's a good idea.

I know SS is generally more difficult to machine and may not be as tough as the carbon steel barrel.

What do guys think?
 
I don't see any functional drawback to purchasing the SS model, if that's what you want. They look nice, and have more resistance to rusting. Why not get what you want? I'm not accepting that they may not be as tough as the carbon steel barrel. Stainless certainly has a reputation of barrel life that is not inferior.
 
IMHO, the only downside to stainless is cost.

Technically if you intend to do some fancy machining to it down the road (I don't know what you would do...) it would be harder to machine. With proper machine tools it is not an issue.
 
The Stainless vs Carbon debate is littered with opinions....toughness of a barrel is not really relevant as both materials are relatively soft metals in gun barrel manufacturing.... stainless requires much less maintenance, does not foul quite as easily, is more resistant to chemical degradation and less succeptible to the real barrel killer which is the corrosive gas erosion that affects the throat of the barrel from the burning powder. Most of these issues are relevant only if you are planning to shoot in excess of 15,000 rounds and or rapid fire and over heat your barrel..... So buy which ever you want, you'll probably never abuse it to the extent that the material it is made form will be relevant to it's performance. But it's nice not worrying if it's going to sweat after being cold and having to warm it up and oil it pefore putting it away!! just my 2 cents.
 
I've got a model 93 with the heavy ss barrel. No complaints here, put a hundred rounds down range last weekend and clean up was a snap. Also found the barrel never truly got that hot.
 
I have a SS Fluted Green Mountain barrel on my 10/22. My Marlin XT 22 Mag is SS Bull Barrel and I love them. Stainless looks much better imho and you never have to worry about rust or re-blueing!
 
I would go with an ss. They look pretty darn good

P1010499.jpg
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

Seems as though SS has no disadvantage other than cost and it's really not that much.
If my local retailer will order one in I'll get the SS barrel.

hometownhero, your's is way cool looking! Mine will have a composite stock so not nearly as cool.

Just waiting on my PAL. I called the RCMP and they said I just have to be patient, they're busy. :mad:
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

Seems as though SS has no disadvantage other than cost and it's really not that much.
If my local retailer will order one in I'll get the SS barrel.

hometownhero, your's is way cool looking! Mine will have a composite stock so not nearly as cool.

Just waiting on my PAL. I called the RCMP and they said I just have to be patient, they're busy. :mad:

Mine had that crap plastic thing savage calls a stock. It didnt say for long. Take a look at boyds stocks best of all if it is under $100 before tax and shipping they can send it to canada
 
Don't have the stainless but mine is a heavy barrel and its for sale with an el cheapo tactical scope on it. I have shot a few ground hogs with it and I must say that watching the hit through the scope is cool. you will love what ever you get.

Dino
 
My PAL is in the mail and I ordered the SS barrel.
Should be in about the same time as my PAL if all goes well.

hoytcanon, is that a muzzle brake on your guns?
Is there enough recoil to warrant that?

I'm not generally in favour of cosmetic additions but that is just too cool.
Where did you get it and how does it attach?
 
My PAL is in the mail and I ordered the SS barrel.
Should be in about the same time as my PAL if all goes well.

hoytcanon, is that a muzzle brake on your guns?
Is there enough recoil to warrant that?

I'm not generally in favour of cosmetic additions but that is just too cool.
Where did you get it and how does it attach?

Muzzle brakes do more than tame recoil... they stabilize the barrel at the shot and they protect the crown... AND they do look cool. I threaded all of my barrels and timed the brakes. These are from Ross Schuler.
 
I have a lot to learn.
I can easily thread the end of the barrel, I have a lathe.

I won't do anything yet though, I just recently learned what a crown is and some reasons for its importance.

I have no idea about "timing" as of this writing but will keep reading.

Seems to me there must be some pretty strict rules about what one can attach to a barrel, silencing the shot is obviously taboo. Making it quieter while stabilizing has to have limits.
 
Seems to me there must be some pretty strict rules about what one can attach to a barrel, silencing the shot is obviously taboo. Making it quieter while stabilizing has to have limits.

Brakes don't silence they stabilize... silencers use baffles to retain and redistribute gases and are restricted in Canada.
 
FV is showing up 249.99 here and the FV SS rings in at 349.99. Are all the components SS or just the barrel and mounts?

I believe it's just the barrel that's SS but I'm not 100% sure. If you go to Savagearms.com and compare the 2 pictures it looks like the bolt and receiver are also SS although they only state that the barrel is.

Pricing is bound to be a bit different across the country. The $345 is from a local gun shop in a town of 25K people. I've decided to support the guy and get everything from him though I could save a few bucks by shopping around.

$249 for an FV sounds like a really good deal, odd that your SS price is about the same as mine.
 
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