Should my barrel be chrome moly or stainless?
Many prefer stainless steel because it is easier to clean and also seems to last longer. But, it also scratches easier during cleaning and extra care must be taken. Chrome moly, while slightly harder to clean, is less susceptible to cleaning damage. On the average, most stainless barrels provide an extra 1,000-1,500 rounds of useable life. The reason for this is due to the way stainless wears. It stays a bit smoother in the throat thus giving a bit better life then chrome moly.