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How to tell if a barrel is SS or CM if it is cerokoted

Can anyone tell me how to check a barrel that has been cerokoted to see if it is SS or CM. I had some barreled actions sent to me, all are cerokoted but all were supposed to be stainless.
thanks John
 
I would like to know how to tell if they are unfinished. I just received two new barrel blanks, one was supposed to be SS and one CM. They both look like SS to me.
 
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300 series stainless steel (303, 304, 316 etc) are non-magnetic but as they cannot be heat treated are relatively soft and not appropriate for use in rifle barrels. The 400 series as well as the precipitation hardening alloys can be heat treated but are attracted to magnets. There are several in the 400 series that are used in barrels.
 
If you put a piece of steel against a grinding wheel, you can get a general idea of it's chemistry by looking at the sparks generated. Carbon, manganese and other elements will each generate their own color/pattern.
 

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