Huntnfooltwo
New member
Is there any advantage of stainless vs Blued other than stainless is a all weather Steel.
Stainless vs Blued
- Thread starter Huntnfooltwo
- Start date
IDBob
New member
Some folks look at a rifle as nothing more than a tool and like the plastic stocks and no mess with stainless. Some look at weapon as more than that and like good wood and a smooth blue job. They don't drag the weapon thru the woods like a sniper would and enjoy both the shooting and the feel and looks of a beautiful gun.
Stainless can rust, but it's much harder to make it do that than blue steel. Just ask some of the folks in New Orleans that had their gun safes flooded. By the way the Ruger stainless guns seemed to hold up the best in those conditions. Keep in mind that even in a stainless gun their may be regular steel in the springs and other stuff that you can't see.
There certainly is an advantage to having a rifle that is rust resistant and the inexpensive plastic stocks though will scratch won't have the refinishing or stock swelling problems that can effect a wood stock. So there you go a tool and used as such or an artifact that is also fun to shoot, your choice.
I've been shooting blue and wood guns now for 45 plus years and like them, I've tried several of the "all weather" guns, but eventually go back to blue steel and wood. It just depends on what you like. Things like glassbedding and good protectents on blue and wood guns can make them very durable.
Stainless can rust, but it's much harder to make it do that than blue steel. Just ask some of the folks in New Orleans that had their gun safes flooded. By the way the Ruger stainless guns seemed to hold up the best in those conditions. Keep in mind that even in a stainless gun their may be regular steel in the springs and other stuff that you can't see.
There certainly is an advantage to having a rifle that is rust resistant and the inexpensive plastic stocks though will scratch won't have the refinishing or stock swelling problems that can effect a wood stock. So there you go a tool and used as such or an artifact that is also fun to shoot, your choice.
I've been shooting blue and wood guns now for 45 plus years and like them, I've tried several of the "all weather" guns, but eventually go back to blue steel and wood. It just depends on what you like. Things like glassbedding and good protectents on blue and wood guns can make them very durable.
NativeCraft
New member
I actually prefer the looks of stainless and wood, particularly dark woods like walnut. All of my guns are blued, though.
In a factory rifle, the stainless seems to foul less in the 223's, 22/250's, 243's, 25/06's, 270, 30/06's, and 7 Mags that I have multiple barrels in blue and stainless.
That is not to say that the stainless barrels will out shoot the blued barrels or vise a versa...each one is a creature in and of it's self.
If you live in an area where humidity is an issue, the stainless is your best bet. If you live in high or low dessert, the rust is not as much of a concern.
That is not to say that the stainless barrels will out shoot the blued barrels or vise a versa...each one is a creature in and of it's self.
If you live in an area where humidity is an issue, the stainless is your best bet. If you live in high or low dessert, the rust is not as much of a concern.
tripod3
New member
My stainless rifles will not reflect any light. They are rough satin finish. I do have blued rifles that will reflect light for miles and even worse, this year for the first time in my life I saw a rifle butt stock flash at over 50 yards from moonlight.
Another small observation is it seems the stainless might wear longer. Of course this will depend on the recipe for making the steel.
Another small observation is it seems the stainless might wear longer. Of course this will depend on the recipe for making the steel.
greg223
Active member
Quote:
Some folks look at a rifle as nothing more than a tool and like the plastic stocks and no mess with stainless. Some look at weapon as more than that and like good wood and a smooth blue job. They don't drag the weapon thru the woods like a sniper would and enjoy both the shooting and the feel and looks of a beautiful gun.
Stainless can rust, but it's much harder to make it do that than blue steel. Just ask some of the folks in New Orleans that had their gun safes flooded. By the way the Ruger stainless guns seemed to hold up the best in those conditions. Keep in mind that even in a stainless gun their may be regular steel in the springs and other stuff that you can't see.
There certainly is an advantage to having a rifle that is rust resistant and the inexpensive plastic stocks though will scratch won't have the refinishing or stock swelling problems that can effect a wood stock. So there you go a tool and used as such or an artifact that is also fun to shoot, your choice.
I've been shooting blue and wood guns now for 45 plus years and like them, I've tried several of the "all weather" guns, but eventually go back to blue steel and wood. It just depends on what you like. Things like glassbedding and good protectents on blue and wood guns can make them very durable.
I sure agree, for some reason I like the stainless with a laminated wood stock. I try to take very good care of my guns, blued or stainless, they get a wiping and cleaning after almost all trips out.
Some folks look at a rifle as nothing more than a tool and like the plastic stocks and no mess with stainless. Some look at weapon as more than that and like good wood and a smooth blue job. They don't drag the weapon thru the woods like a sniper would and enjoy both the shooting and the feel and looks of a beautiful gun.
Stainless can rust, but it's much harder to make it do that than blue steel. Just ask some of the folks in New Orleans that had their gun safes flooded. By the way the Ruger stainless guns seemed to hold up the best in those conditions. Keep in mind that even in a stainless gun their may be regular steel in the springs and other stuff that you can't see.
There certainly is an advantage to having a rifle that is rust resistant and the inexpensive plastic stocks though will scratch won't have the refinishing or stock swelling problems that can effect a wood stock. So there you go a tool and used as such or an artifact that is also fun to shoot, your choice.
I've been shooting blue and wood guns now for 45 plus years and like them, I've tried several of the "all weather" guns, but eventually go back to blue steel and wood. It just depends on what you like. Things like glassbedding and good protectents on blue and wood guns can make them very durable.
I sure agree, for some reason I like the stainless with a laminated wood stock. I try to take very good care of my guns, blued or stainless, they get a wiping and cleaning after almost all trips out.
sandman22250
Active member
Stainless is my choice and i hunt coyotes and know if they catch a flash its over so i take a minute a cammo up so here is before and after the only flash these coyotes saw was muzzle flash /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Edited to move picture. Posting pics beside each other is a no-no. It spreads the screen for many viewers.
Jack
Edited to move picture. Posting pics beside each other is a no-no. It spreads the screen for many viewers.
Jack
Last edited by a moderator:
Chupathingy
New member
Personally, Iv'e never been one of those beautiful gun guys. I happen to like the look of stainless and synthetic stocks myself.
Jack Roberts
Moderator - Deceased
Most custom barrel makers feel that they get slightly more uniform stainless blanks. They feel that the more uniform steel drills, reams and rifles slightly better and therefore is very slightly more accurate.
Jack
Jack
hickerx2
Member
Quote:
Most custom barrel makers feel that they get slightly more uniform stainless blanks. They feel that the more uniform steel drills, reams and rifles slightly better and therefore is very slightly more accurate.
Jack
+1 for that!
Although in any rifle besides a serious competition rifle, the difference is nil. I love the beauty of blued steel and walnut, however I have a pile of stainless/synthetic/laminate rifles because they are tools to me. I may use one for a crutch or drop it down the side of a ravine.
Most custom barrel makers feel that they get slightly more uniform stainless blanks. They feel that the more uniform steel drills, reams and rifles slightly better and therefore is very slightly more accurate.
Jack
+1 for that!
Although in any rifle besides a serious competition rifle, the difference is nil. I love the beauty of blued steel and walnut, however I have a pile of stainless/synthetic/laminate rifles because they are tools to me. I may use one for a crutch or drop it down the side of a ravine.
I love nicely grained wood with sharp checkering and a matte oil finish along with smooth, deep-blued metal. It says 'craftsmanship'. I resisted stainless and plastic for quite a while. Then I talked myself into am A-Bolt Stainless Stalker. You know, when they shoot as well as that rifle does and you can take care of scratches with a Scotchbrite pad, they tend to grow on you.
Orneryolfart357
New member
Stainless, or Blued... they both get hit with the Krylon.. lol
coyote6974
New member
I'm a traditionalist and really like the look and feel of polished blued steel and wood firearms. From rifles to handguns. Nothing says quality and workmanship better to me than the sight of a Winchester Model 12, or a blued steel S&W Model 29 with goncala wood grips. When I hunt with my Model 70 Featherweight Classic in .22-250 I think I spend as much time admiring my rifle as I do looking for incoming coyotes. I have a high gloss Leupold mounted in highly polished blued steel Burris rings on this rifle and to me it's just beautiful. It's also totally impractical, by today's standards, as a hunting rifle. I've killed lots of coyotes with it though.
Getting caught in the rain several times which caused me to have to remove my blued steel rifle stocks to get all the moisture dried out of them finally pushed me over the edge. I bought a Remington 700 SPS stainless in .22-250. It shoots great and I do things with it that I wouldn't have ever dreamed of doing with my blued steel and wood rifles. It's been underwater in a creek, it gets rained on, it gets layed on the ground in the snow. I bring it home and set it near the furnace vent where it dires quickly inside and out. No worry about a warped stock, no worry about rust.
I now use my "fancy rifles" on nice days when I feel nostalgic. I use my stainless and synthetic rifle nearly exclusively.
Happy New Year y'all.. Coyote 6974
Getting caught in the rain several times which caused me to have to remove my blued steel rifle stocks to get all the moisture dried out of them finally pushed me over the edge. I bought a Remington 700 SPS stainless in .22-250. It shoots great and I do things with it that I wouldn't have ever dreamed of doing with my blued steel and wood rifles. It's been underwater in a creek, it gets rained on, it gets layed on the ground in the snow. I bring it home and set it near the furnace vent where it dires quickly inside and out. No worry about a warped stock, no worry about rust.
I now use my "fancy rifles" on nice days when I feel nostalgic. I use my stainless and synthetic rifle nearly exclusively.
Happy New Year y'all.. Coyote 6974
sleddogg
New member
Stainless is real beautiful when I come in from a 10 degree hunt into my warm house. Gun sweats real bad from the temp transition and I just put it away, whereas I need to dry and oil my blued guns to keep rust off.
Stainless is a beautiful thing in winter and rain.
I know stainless can rust......... but you have to work at it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Stainless is a beautiful thing in winter and rain.
I know stainless can rust......... but you have to work at it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
My stainless and composite combos, I tend to use as 'tools'... My blued and wood, I tend to view as works of art...
While I will shoot them, or carry them, they are cherished a little more than the utility models.
One of my CC pistols is a Colt Defender that was made in stainless and aluminum... it was sent off to Robar Industries for their best black finish as I don't like to carry a 'shiny' pistol for defensive purposes.
Another difference we noticed on the pistol team when the stainless handguns first came out was that the stainless steel seems to gall more and faster than case hardened steel. It was almost impossible to get a really good trigger pull on the stainless models.
While I will shoot them, or carry them, they are cherished a little more than the utility models.
One of my CC pistols is a Colt Defender that was made in stainless and aluminum... it was sent off to Robar Industries for their best black finish as I don't like to carry a 'shiny' pistol for defensive purposes.
Another difference we noticed on the pistol team when the stainless handguns first came out was that the stainless steel seems to gall more and faster than case hardened steel. It was almost impossible to get a really good trigger pull on the stainless models.
