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Posted: 1/5/2005 6:53:29 AM EDT
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What's the difference between chrome moly and chrome lined barrels? Is there a huge difference in performance/accuracy, or will I not notice the difference at all... Is stainless steel better over chrome moly? Nikkels |
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I'm relatively new to this place and I have already seen this discussed many many times before, google says: chrome vs chrome molly Maryland AR15 FAQ Question #3 |
Chrome-lining (modern industrial hard-chrome) does not affect accuracy enough to measure. Any difference in this comparison would be due to the quality of the barrel blanks and the machine work done to the original barrel, no the chrome-lining. -Troy |
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Assuming you're buying a standard-grade barrel, they should be about equal, and you can expect them to shoot in the 1-1.5 MOA range at 100 yards with good ammo, perhaps better than that if freefloated. Obviously, if you buy a model with a higher-grade barrel, it will generally shoot better. The varmint models from either manufacturer will be more accurate than their standard rifles. Also, there is certainly a unit-by-unit variation. You could get real lucky and get a .6 MOA barrel, or get real unlucky and get one that only shoots 2 MOA at best. That's a "luck of the draw" kind of thing. But there are other differences between these barrels to be aware of. Bushmaster uses only military 4150 steel, "5.56/military"-sized chambers, and chrome-lines their barrels. Rock River uses 4140 steel, uses either 5.56 or the intermediate Wylde chamber, and only chromes some barrels. You need to figure out what you need and exactly what you are comparing. -Troy |
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It's generally believed by highpower competitors that the Chrome Moly Match Grade Barrels shoot tighter groups than a mil-spec, chrome lined barrel. Ask Bushmaster why it sells Chrome Lined Barrels across the line, but's it's DCM Guns are plain-jane Chrome Moly that aren't chromed? NO serious match grade barrels are Chrome Lined, Chrome Moly is a designation for a high Chrome-Molybdinum (?) content steel. Stainless Steel Match Grade Barrels, on the other hand, are offered by all major high-end makers. |
And, again, you're comparing a standard-grade barrel to a match-grade barrel. If you compare 100 standard-grade barrels, 50 chromed and 50 not, you won't find an accuracy difference between them.
Chrome-lined match barrels aren't generally sold for a couple of reasons, but neither have to do with accuracy. -Troy |
Whatever you do, dont buy into the Chrome lining hype. I own three AR15 rifles. The bushmaster is the only chrome lined in the bunch and it was the first to give me extraction problems. Yeah it was easier to clean right up until it stopped working. Maintain your rifle and it will never be an issue. For the record though, my Oly 4160 SS barrel is by far the best barrel I have shot through thus far. |
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I don't think chrome lining is needed by most of us but it doesn't hurt. I have a 16'' RRA non-chrome lined barrel with no flash hider and it shoots great. Supposedly a little more accurate than chrome lined. I am not worried about it either way. Cept non-chrome lined barrels can rust easier. Just keep it cleaned and oiled and youll be fine. |
Yes, but with the most gentle of coats. Don't grease the thing down, just touch it with oil for storage and wipe it out completely before use. Or just get the chrome lining and enjoy. I like the CL barrels. No problem getting sub-MOA with them. |
You obviously have no idea what you are talking about. A chrome lined barrel has nothing to do with your extraction problems. |
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