Chrome bore?

Bob Sanders · Jul 19, 2013

Do you give up anything by not having a chrome lined bore? I have a line on a Double Star AR for my dad and I don't think the bore is chromed. It's also a 20" full size rifle. This rifle will probably not be shot very much. Just some target plinking. Thanks!

Wildcat · Jul 19, 2013

Chrome extends the life of the barrel, not sure exactly how much, but I saw something on YouTube where they did a test with and without. It was something like 6000 before the non-chromed started to keyhole and about 10 for the chromed if I remember right.

Dustin Cantrell · Jul 19, 2013

Matt Washburn said:
Chrome extends the life of the barrel, not sure exactly how much, but I saw something on YouTube where they did a test with and without. It was something like 6000 before the non-chromed started to keyhole and about 10 for the chromed if I remember right.

I've seen several tests like that. Usually they are doing mag dump after mag dump after mag dump and it's not comparable to the life of a barrel for a casual plinker. I think the most important part of the equation here is whether or not it's a quality barrel. I think the difference between a sub par non chrome lined barrel and a sub par chrome lined barrel will be greater than the difference between a great quality non chrome lined barrel and a great quality chrome lined barrel. I do agree that it extends the life of the barrel, but I think the quality of the barrel is more important than it being chrome lined or not. Of course, I haven't done 10,000 round tests myself or anything. Just have formed an opinion based on what I've read.

Bob Sanders · Jul 19, 2013

I'm thinking Double Star is pretty good stuff, made (assembled?) right here in Kentucky. Someone let me know if they think different, but it looks like if he shot 3 or 4 matches a summer, and went plinking with new loads every now and then, he has 12 to 15 years. I think that will do. Thanks!