Chrome-Moly barrels

[Buck 89]

How does chrome-moly compare with stainless steel for accuracy?

 

[watercam]

If you did not know you could never tell the difference. Case in point, Anschutz uses both. Back when centerfire match rifles were being made in this country by Winchester and the like, chrome moly ruled. Lately I have been using chrome moly barrels for a couple of project rifles and have no regrets accuracy wise at all.

 

[jonbearman]

I have both types of barrels and usually go stainless for the anti rust quality and the looks.But in all fairness I see no difference in accuracy.

 

[GSPV]

I've heard that SS is easier to machine. If it's easier to machine, you might get a better bore and/or chamber.

I've yet to see a CM barrel at a benchrest match. Everyone that I've seen has been SS. Most are Crucible 416R.

 

[FergusBailey]

Depends on the context of your question. Talking specifically about benchrest, I only know of one competitor (HOF member) who tried a CM barrel. He felt it did not clean up as well as stainless, and that accuracy declined progressively. He did not proceed with his experiment beyond that. Its not comprehensive, but its all the data I have in a competition environment.

I have a number of CM barrels on very accurate hunting rifles, and would rate the accuracy of these rifles as being equal to other similar rifles I have with SS barrels. However the accuracy requirement of these rifles is not comparable to BR competition.

So you may see the difference on one rifle, but not be able to see it on another.