Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Stainless Steel VS. Chrome Moly for barrel steel

I am in the process of putting together a 220 Howell and at this point I am not overly certain if I should use SS or Chrome moly barrel. The rifle will not see use in wet weather and will more than likley not be fired a whole lot or a lot at a single time to the range. when all is said and done the costs are about equal when one factors in bluing the cr moly barrel. So is there any disernable performance differences between the two. Of the many rifles I own only one has a SS barrel and that is a 22 LR.

Bullwnkl.

C/M gets my vote, care and cleaning is less demanding, SS(match quality) requires more careful upkeep

I am told that cm is stronger and more durable than ss. teflon coating may be an option if you want some weather resistance. I had one done by birdsong and it is fabulous.

I find no real difference other than stainless being more resistant to barrel erosion giving slightly more barrel life in high velocity chamberings.

talk to shilen, douglas, pac-nor and other barrel makers, they can give you the pros and cons of cm vs ss

One of the top barrelmakers, I forget who, will not make featherweight stainless barrels for fear that they will pop in supercold weather. This would probably not apply to a .220 Howell which I presume will not be a FW.

I believe you are speaking of Krieger, a company which knows a few things about barrel steels.