Carbon Steel verses Stainless Steel

[panhandle]

I don't think I've ever seen the pros and cons of these two types of barrels.  Is one more accurate than the other?  Does one last longer the the other?  What does the benchrest guys use?  Which one gives more for the dollar spent?

Panhandlepr

[ironglow]

  I'm waiting for this answer also. I have a sneaking suspicion that SS has a longer break in procedure...Still, I would like to hear from the competitive paper punchers..

[Hooker]

SS has a bit better molecular stability than carbon steels. Which could lead to more accuracy.
SS is also in most cases harder and of course more rust resistant. Which could lead to a longer barrel life. But this not to say that good chrome moly barrels don't last as long or give as much accuracy.
Pros and cons would be depend on ones preference, what are you looking for in a rifle.
Stainless is easier to care for in the feild I have 3 SS firearms they are my nasty weather guns.
But they are IMO ugly. I prefer blued steel and walnut, but under some conditions the SS makes more sense.

Pat

[wncchester]

I once asked basically the same question of a gunsmith.  His answer was that there is no real difference in accuracy between the two steels but stainless is a bit more resistant to heat and that means they tend to last a tad longer.   It sounds reasonable to me but, ?

[Cement Man]

I think that is an excellent question.  I can only guess at the answer, based on what I've read over the years.  I believe that there are various grades of steel both in the stainless and the carbon, and that the answer for accuracy, durability, etc. may vary more with the grade or type of steel than whether it is stainless or not. Based upon the use and demands required of the barrel (machinability, heat, military, cartridge intensity, etc.) the type of steel would vary in different guns and in some cases, either one or the other may have the advantage.  In terms of off the shelf hunting rifles, I don't think I've ever heard of any practical difference in accuracy or longevity, but I'm just surmising on this subject.

[azshooter]

When I bought my Ar15, I contacted Bushmaster about the barrels as they offer both types.  They told me that the Stainless tend to be a bit more accurate and the Chrome-Moly Steel are more durable.  Chrome-Moly AR's are also usually chrome lined and last 20K rounds.  I ended up buying the Chrome-Moly and found the accuracy was not lacking at all.  My AR Varmit rig outshoots my Ruger M77 in .223 with 1/2 MOA groups.