For a muzzle loader, I would say stainless, rifle is about the same as long as they get the same care, but if you give a muzzle loader with stainless VS Blued the same care the stainess will outlast by far. Also the manufacturer's quality of steel makes a difference, and don't confuse yourself with nickel over stainless, I had a Buckwacker that I thought was stainless when I bought it because of the color. Rusted quicker than a old toyota pickup.