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Posted: 5/28/2005 6:25:57 PM EDT
| I am looking at varouis parts kits offered by M&A and J&T. I am interested in a stanard 20'' A2 model. Maybe a free float tube but other then that a stock AR15 A2. It will be used as a pick up truck gun, some hunting, plinking and home protection. And ofcourse in case shtf. My queastion is about barrel options. I understand that stainless steel is the most accurate and chrome lined the least accurate. I really like the idea of a chrome lined barrel because it is much easier to clean and less chance of rusting. Although I have never had a barrel rust on me, not even the ones that fire corrosive ammo. So how much less acurate is a chrome lined barrel? For what I am going to use it for will I notice a differance? |
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I just went through the same thought process in selecting my rifle. I guess everyone does on their first AR. Unless your tight on money or plan to spend a lot of time punching paper for the tightest groups, the consensus is to go chrome lined. Its typically only about 50 bucks more and they say it won't noticeably affect accuracy. Perhaps more importantly, cheap Wolf ammo is steel cased/jacketed. I feel more comfortable shooting the stuff with chrome lining. Some say steel jackets won't noticeably wear your barrell, but why take the chance? I guess you've noticed, I keep sayin "supposed to be" and "they say". Thats because I got the wrong buffer spring with my kit. I've got my brand new CAR, all built and sittin in the corner because I've have to get a different spring. I wanna shoot it so bad I'm gonna do in my pants  Also, I've seen some corrosive ammo gobble a gun up in two nights. A buddy of mine shot some corrosive ammo out of his SKS. He called me to come over and look at the damage after he neglected to clean it for a couple of days. I'm tellin ya, that gun was ate up! A real eye opener for me. |
Which, IMHO, answers your question. You should go for a chrome-lined barrel. Unfortunately, I don’t know what kind of accuracy loss results from a plated barrel. I’d be interested in the answer to that myself! Incidentally, I’m not sure there’s actually any accuracy difference between well-made stainless steel and un-plated chrome-moly barrels. There are different wear patterns and the supposedly stainless will last a bit longer than un-plated chrome-moly. |
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Accuracy loss results from a chrome lined barrel could be as much as 1 MOA in a standard 20" barrel, PWS did test the accuracy for lined and non chrome lined barrels years ago and the chrome process is still the same. I have to say that I have never seen corrosive ammo for .223 in the states or any country but you never can tell if you buy some rounds that are 25 years old from a Yak driver in Katmandu. 
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