Author Topic: Stainless barrels (Read 607 times)

Tad Houston · « **on:** October 13, 2004, 01:07:04 PM »

What if any are the cons to SS barrels? Thought i read somewhere that they wear out Quicker, is this true? Thanks- Tad

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2004, 02:09:52 PM »

Stainless barrels will last every bit as long as blue carbon barrels. The only real disadvantage is they tend to reflect easily which can spook your game. Personally I prefer stainless, easier to maintain. KN

Keith L · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2004, 04:40:08 PM »

There is a web site out there somewhere that discusses problems with SS barrels. 316 stainless is free machining and contains material that creates microscopic cracks in the structure to allow chips to break and cutting tools to work the metal effectively. The site claims that these cracks weaken the structure and cause premature failure when barrels get extremely hot. To make this worse the claim is that since stainless steel is an alloy it doesn't conduct heat away effectively. Not being a metalurgist I can't really comment.

What I do know is that the barrels shown on the site were subjected to firing rates normally only seen in machine guns. The way most of us use our guns the problems would never be seen.

If I have a choice I will always choose stainless. I seem to always get wet when in the field, and I don't want to quit just for that. My stainless/synthetic guns need minimal care after being used, and they give me maximum enjoyment.

Big Gun · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2004, 11:53:54 AM »

It is a fact that Stainless Steel has a lower thermoconductivity than carbon steel, meaning that it will tend to stay hotter longer. The difference is less than 10% I doubt that most of us will notice. It is my understanding that barrels are made from 416 or 420 SS not 316, but I am not certain of this.

pastorp · « **Reply #4 on:** October 16, 2004, 06:56:18 AM »

While I have no comment on the life of stainless steel barrels, I will comment on the weather resistant comments some of you have made. I have found that all stainless guns are not equal in this respect. My remington stainless #7 requires very little care and never seams to rust. While a stainless Weatherby I had would rust overnight if you did not oil it after a wet day afield. There are evidentally deferent stainless alloys used in gun manufacturing, some more weather resistant than others. Regards, Byron

Bullseye · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2004, 05:32:06 PM »

From my experience with stainless T/C barrels they ar bad about getting rust spots and discoloration. My blue barrels require less maintenance. My stainless Rugers have not been like that, must be the quality of stainless T/C uses.