Any real benefits to Stainless steel Barrels?

[curtism1234]

One of my deal-breaking negatives to stainless is the fact black scopes only look good on black stocks (or maybe grey black laminate). With fewer and fewer scope manufacturers doing silver scopes, it is very hard to match the barrel color; for that matter, it was hard to match years ago when they were more popular. Carakoting the stock and scope the same color may be an option.

When it comes to stainless barrels and mismatched scopes, I prefer style over function. I won't have walnut stock, stainless barrel, and black scope

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I am struggling to find any information relating to the benefits of SS barrel aside from the SS to resist rust a bit more than a blued barrel.

@Elton
Accuracy wise either stainless or chrome moly, wear resistance the same but stainless will rust less but will still rust.
If doing an old classic like a pre 64 model 70 blued steel all the way. A new rifle stainless.
Just my thoughts I have both chrome moly and stainless like both.
Bob.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

another benefit of stainless is that it copper fouls a lot less than chrome moly.
what fouling is there is also more easy to remove,
copper left in the bore can set up an electrolytic action with the barrel, removing atoms from the barrel surface, shortening the accuracy life of the barrel and increasing its tendancy to foul more.
bruce.

@bruce moulds
The 2 chrome moly barrels I got from MAB in QLD clean up real easy. Run an INOX patch in the barrel then Gilleys gun polish wax on the surface and good to go until next time.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

As a metallurgist explained to me Stainless steel is just that, it Stains Less than other steels. It is not impervious to rust etc just more resistant. The higher the grade the more resistant to rust etc
I have had Stainless barrels start to pit/rust in short order. Culprit was humidity and blood and the idiot-me- who left it over night without cleaning the blood off. Actually did not notice several small spots on the underside of the barrel.

As I am becoming lazy in my old age I have most of my rifles cerakoted. That way I only have to clean and maintain the internals. If I could have the inside of the barrel Chromed like the old Bren Guns I would. Animal blood, urine and intestinal content will cause any barrel/action metal to rust, cerakote prevents this. I would think some other coatings will as well.

@Rule 303
You could always treat the bore with Dynacoat it leave a ceramic coating on the bore.
I've never had a problem with urine on my guns as I don't usually piss on them. Ha ha ha ha, but yes that's on quick way to get rust.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Where the Unicorns and White Buffalo roam...

@Cam Moon
@TMac
I must live in that area as my missus is extremely low maintenance.
Bob

 

[bruce moulds]

the old dead bison exterminators used to piss down the barrels of their sharps and rollers to keep them shooting on a stand.
they also used piss dissolved in water as a bore solvent when cleaning..
this might have been partially mitigated by the fact that black powder fouling is alkaline, while piss is acidic.
bruce.

 

[TMac]

@Cam Moon
@TMac
I must live in that area as my missus is extremely low maintenance.
Bob

Mine too usually, it’s a blessing. I would not want to have to hunt for another one that fits my trophy criteria.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Mine too usually, it’s a blessing. I would not want to have to hunt for another one that fits my trophy criteria.

@TMac
Took me 2 attempts before I found the third and almost perfect one. I don't need to look again.
Mine even tho a non hunter encourages my hunting
Bob

 

[Standard Velocity]

the old dead bison exterminators used to piss down the barrels of their sharps and rollers to keep them shooting on a stand.
they also used piss dissolved in water as a bore solvent when cleaning..
this might have been partially mitigated by the fact that black powder fouling is alkaline, while piss is acidic.
bruce.

It’s also possible to rust blue with urine apparently. Can’t recall the steps involved but I do definitely remember reading the recommendation to use the first piss of the morning for best results. Who knew?

 

[Philip Glass]

I’ve not been concerned with stainless barrels but I live in a dry climate and mostly hunt in a dry climate. I am going to AK next year so may have to take more rem oil wipes along.
Philip

 

[318AE]

Benefit of SS barrels? They look better with synthetic stocks... If you put a blued barrel with a synthetic stock, you’ll always think of the walnut that could have been there