Thread: Stainless vs Chrome moly

Both do an acceptable job but chrome-moly is generally considered to give a longer life (subject to a normal cleaning regime) than the standard grade stainless. The reason is that in order to be readily machined for a cost-effective barrel, stainless has to be a low grade that is quite soft and also capable of rusting. Where cost is not a problem then higher grades of stainless can be used which give a better performance but at the cost of considerably longer manufacturing time. Dollar for dollar chrome-moly is better.

Originally Posted by gundoc

Both do an acceptable job but chrome-moly is generally considered to give a longer life (subject to a normal cleaning regime) than the standard grade stainless. The reason is that in order to be readily machined for a cost-effective barrel, stainless has to be a low grade that is quite soft and also capable of rusting. Where cost is not a problem then higher grades of stainless can be used which give a better performance but at the cost of considerably longer manufacturing time. Dollar for dollar chrome-moly is better.

And is this why gunsmiths don't like making 284's out of Tikka 7mm08 barrels, are they a higher grade of SS than most budget rifles?