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Posted: 5/26/2008 4:09:38 AM EDT
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So I submited a post the other day asking if chrome lining was worth the extra money and i got responses saying chrome was less accurate than non lined barrels but less maitanance so how much accuracy do you sacrafice??? are non-lined barrels still reliable (feeding/extraction)? I'm thinking chrome for a carbine and non-chrome for a precision rifle, sound right???? I always thought chrome was better so whats with the being less accurate?? |
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If your thing is sitting on a KD range shooting small groups at paper targets or some long range metal target shooting you "may" do better with a non lined or ss barrel. It may produce better groups for a period of time, however it will not last as long and will need to be cleaned better and more often to show the difference. If you want a good solid barrel that will hold its own at most normal 5.56 ranges while at the same time is easy to clean and will last longer than you will, then go with chrome. Provided you are like 95% of shooters, you will NOT tell any difference in groups with one or the other. If you are in that special 5% that will notice, you most likely would not have asked this question as you would have know it by talking to other HP shooters on the line prior to this post. 
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| I second Scott's comments. For comparison, I've taken a Les Baer Varmint rifle with a SS Barrel ( a 2200.00 rifle), and a RRA M4 16 inch Chrome lined barrel (a 1100.00 rifle) to the range - Both scoped and shot from a sandbag rest - both with Leupold 4 - 14 M4 scopes for comparison, only a NM trigger upgrade done to the RRA, the Baer came with a Jewell trigger. BTW - the RRA also came with the free float tube as does the Baer. OK, so the Les Baer will consistently shoot slightly under 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards - was using match 69 grain bullets. The RRA shot around 3/4inch groups at 100 yards with 62 grain bullets ( just what I chose to shoot that day). I've either own or have owned at least a dozen different brands of AR's including the expensive brands like Wilson and Les Baer all the way down to Olympic ( which I want to apologize to everyone for). However, in fairness, and having owned and shot at least a couple dozen of these things all in different brands and configurations - My experience has been that they all shoot really good. In general, whether chrome lined or not or a carbine vs. a 24 inch Varmint tack driver - when shot by a competent person shooting good ammo, they can all shoot around and inch or less at 100 yards. The previous poster is exactly right - unless your a high power shooter ( where matches are won and lost by fractions of an inch), then just pick the gun you like the most and you'll be happy. |
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yes, in most cases CL is less accurate, BUT, that also depends on how much accuracy you are wanting to get if its a dedicated accuracy rig, i probably would not opt for a CL bbl (unless it was a damn good one), but, most shooters will not notice a huge diff btw a CL and non-CL bbl non-CL bbls can be just as reilable if not more--you just have to take care of it, just like anything else again, for most usuers and thier uses, CL IS better, but like anything else, its not perfect for EVERYTHING or EVERYONE and has a couple "downsides" (subjective to what you are looking for)...potential accuracy loss is just one of em |
+1 Some of the chrome lined barrels are very accurate, I had a Colt HBAR years ago that would shoot Hi-master scores right out of the box as would my buddy's. Some may be angle of barn, depends upon the individual barrel. As others have stated, most casual shooters would never know the difference. |
| What kind of accuracy you want? If you are looking for a long range varmint rifle or a 1/4 MOA bench gun, go unlined. If you are wanting a casual rifle, defense rifle, or a SHTF rifle, where MOApple is more than enough, get the chrome lined. It all depends on what you call accurate and its intended use. I would never consider taking my match rifles out on a patrol (that is if I were in a situation where I would be going on any kind of patrol), not because they are unlined but because they are not the right tool for the job. Nor would I take one of my CL lightweight carbines out for an afternoon of pasture poodle busting or long range paper punching. Again, not the right tool for the job. |
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Chrome-Lined Barrels were developed by the Military. They want to get 10,000 rounds out of one barrel as opposed to 3,000 on a standard barrel. Of course...If you fire more than 3,000 rounds out of the barrel...It will start to wear and will "VERY SLIGHTLY" Affect the LONG RANGE Accuracy of the weapon. Chrome-Lined Barrels were developed for "Longevity" AND Accuracy. I will always go Chrome. |
for ARs and several other types of rifles, they are the "base line" metal used for bbls--if made correctly and properly, they are great bbls...think of it as a "plain jane" bbl as you know, chrome lined bbls are simply chrome molly bbls w/ a chrome lining on the inside where the rifling is at chrome moly, by itself though obviously doesnt offer the benefits of a CL; on the other hand, they can be made to be as accurate as a comparable made SS bbl |
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