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Posted: 12/10/2008 5:06:44 AM EDT
| Can you please tell me the difference between moly and chrome? Is it worth the extra money for chrome? Thanks |
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"Chrome Moly" is the standard barrel steel, so called because it's got chrome and molybdenum alloyed into the steel. It's tough and free machining. It's good steel for barrels.
Chrome lined is just that..the chamber and bore ate lined with hard chrome by electroplating. As a rule it's about $40-$50 more to have that done. Chrome lining is slippery but not smooth in comparison to lapped steel. Under magnification it looks like rough water that was frozen. Like a slightly choppy surface on a pond that was frozen fast. Such a frozen pond would be slick, but not smooth Chrome lining is harder and slicker then standard "chrome moly" steel and therefore doesn't collect fouling as easily, and wears longer, but also as a rule, it doesn't pass bullets as undamaged as regular steel and so chrome lined barrels are usually not as accurate. Now, there are exceptions to these rules of thumb. I have seen one chromed barrel that shoots well under MOA and I know of several regular barrels that even with their free floated forends only shoot 2" But in most cases, all other things being equal, chrome lined is better for full auto, 'shooting hot' long life and easy cleaning as well as rust prevention. Regular "chrome/ moly" is better for precision shooting, varmint rifles, and target rifles. |
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