powwowell
Member
Are there advantages to having a Chrome Lined Bore? I see where this is stressed, especially concerning AK-47s and AR-15s. Should the lack of the chrome lined bore be a deal breaker?
Chrome Lined Bore?
- Thread starter powwowell
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dfariswheel
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The advantages of a chrome lined bore are:
The hard chrome resists throat erosion, so the barrel lasts longer.
The chrome resists rust and pitting better.
Carbon and copper fouling doesn't stick to the "slick" chrome, so cleaning is much easier.
Velocity is slightly higher.
The disadvantages are:
Cost.
A chrome lined barrel is "slightly" less accurate than a non-lined barrel.
This is only a factor in high precision rifles where you're trying to squeeze the last tiny bit of accuracy out of a target or varmint barrel.
In a battle rifle like the AR-15 and AK, this is not a factor.
The hard chrome resists throat erosion, so the barrel lasts longer.
The chrome resists rust and pitting better.
Carbon and copper fouling doesn't stick to the "slick" chrome, so cleaning is much easier.
Velocity is slightly higher.
The disadvantages are:
Cost.
A chrome lined barrel is "slightly" less accurate than a non-lined barrel.
This is only a factor in high precision rifles where you're trying to squeeze the last tiny bit of accuracy out of a target or varmint barrel.
In a battle rifle like the AR-15 and AK, this is not a factor.
Commander Guineapig
Member
When they say "lasts longer" on the chrome lined, and
"doesn't last as long" on the non-lined, how many rounds
are we talking here? Is it a significant difference?
gP
"doesn't last as long" on the non-lined, how many rounds
are we talking here? Is it a significant difference?
gP
RockyMtnTactical
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There are many advantages in a combat weapon.
If you want a sniper rifle or something, you wouldn't want chrome lining, but in a defensive carbine, chrome is a big plus.
Depends on how often you shoot and how hard you run your weapon! But probably about twice as long in terms of rounds...
If you want a sniper rifle or something, you wouldn't want chrome lining, but in a defensive carbine, chrome is a big plus.
Depends on how often you shoot and how hard you run your weapon! But probably about twice as long in terms of rounds...
Bobarino
member
the "lasts longer" part is mostly if you are shooting corrosive ammo. chrome lined will last much longer in that case. if you don't shoot corrosive ammo, its unlikely that you'll have a problem or notice a difference in wear. the easier cleaning part is nice. in my opinion, the reason most people like it as its a selling point is because that's what the military does with its service rifles.
Bobby
Bobby
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Corrosive ammo has nothing at all to do with it on the M-16/M-4/AR-15 platform, since there isn't any corrosive .223 or 5.56 ammo.
As has already been said, it makes extraction easier, doubles the life of the bore, resists heat erosion much better, and makes cleaning almost a non-issue.
If match grade accuracy isn't an issue, and much blasting is in the cards, go for the chrome-lined bore.
rcmodel
As has already been said, it makes extraction easier, doubles the life of the bore, resists heat erosion much better, and makes cleaning almost a non-issue.
If match grade accuracy isn't an issue, and much blasting is in the cards, go for the chrome-lined bore.
rcmodel
esmith
Member
Lacquered casings from cheapo ammunition will extract better from a chrome lined chamber.
I'm having a 5.45X39mm built around a CZ527 204 Ruger (the 5.45 70 grain Wolf rounds fit perfectly in the CZ magazine)...I'm getting a Lothar Walther barrel already chambered in 5.45; however, I'll need a gunsmith to open the CZ bolt (it's chromed-very hard) to .394 or so....I've wanted to hard chrome the barrelled action....so the bore is chromed....do you know anyone who can accomplish this for me?
Does the hard chrome add more than a few ten thousandths of an inch?
Just a project I've been working up....ready to send it all but want to check around....
thank you for any help
richard in az
Does the hard chrome add more than a few ten thousandths of an inch?
Just a project I've been working up....ready to send it all but want to check around....
thank you for any help
richard in az
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
You can't chrome line an existing barrel.
The rifling & chamber has to be oversize to start with because the chrome builds it back up to the proper dimensions.
rcmodel
The rifling & chamber has to be oversize to start with because the chrome builds it back up to the proper dimensions.
rcmodel
dstorm1911
Member
the biggest benifit is in a full auto, the slicker chrome resists burning out as fast due to high rate of fire in full auto where the barrel does not have any time at all to cool between shots..... as far as corrosive ammo... your gas system nor bolt group are not chrome lined and thats where ya will see corrosion first appear if not properly cleaned as the gas system is not chromed, also the gas port is drilled right through the chrome allowing the rust (corrosion) to get a foothold in the gas port hole it then creeps UNDER the chrome at the cut edge of the chrome where the mill cut through when the gas port was drilled so..........
unless your AK is going to be fully automatic ya really are not going to see any difference between chrome lined or not chrome lined both will require proper cleaning after being used regardless as both will rust if neglected........ somewhere on here there are a bunch of pics I posted awhile back of a totally trashed Rommy G it was fired with corrosive primed ammo and then left un-cleaned for a few months ........ the bore was trashed as the rust blistered up the chrome at the gas port, the gas block was full of rust/corrosion the slant brake was rusted on and the muzzle was destroyed by rust...... required a rebarrel to fix the customers gun....
unless your AK is going to be fully automatic ya really are not going to see any difference between chrome lined or not chrome lined both will require proper cleaning after being used regardless as both will rust if neglected........ somewhere on here there are a bunch of pics I posted awhile back of a totally trashed Rommy G it was fired with corrosive primed ammo and then left un-cleaned for a few months ........ the bore was trashed as the rust blistered up the chrome at the gas port, the gas block was full of rust/corrosion the slant brake was rusted on and the muzzle was destroyed by rust...... required a rebarrel to fix the customers gun....
USSR
Member
I'd say there would be a few FN SPR owners that would disagree.
Don
accuracy sufferage is a myth.........
probably started by those who just needed to make themselves feel good about their non lined barrel.
as shown above, chrome lined barrels can be very, very accurate. a crapply made barrel, will shoot crappy. lined or not.
lots of military marksmen, and even non military marksmen shoot outstanding groups that will be as good or better then non lined custom guns. DONT THINK THAT I AM SAYING I AM ONE OF THESE... but im only 23, so i have lots of time to practice.
brian
probably started by those who just needed to make themselves feel good about their non lined barrel.
as shown above, chrome lined barrels can be very, very accurate. a crapply made barrel, will shoot crappy. lined or not.
lots of military marksmen, and even non military marksmen shoot outstanding groups that will be as good or better then non lined custom guns. DONT THINK THAT I AM SAYING I AM ONE OF THESE... but im only 23, so i have lots of time to practice.
brian
Oohrah
Member
Accuracy is not part of the of the deal, but an easy clean up is.
Care must be taken with corrosive stuff and harsh bore cleaners
should not be left in the bore for long periods of time. Chrome
is hard, but can still be damaged
Care must be taken with corrosive stuff and harsh bore cleaners
should not be left in the bore for long periods of time. Chrome
is hard, but can still be damaged
aspade
Member
Diminished accuracy is not a myth. You don't see a lot of chromed bores at bench matches.
Bench games are however the only place a 1/4 minute barrel is inferior to - or even distinguishable from - a 1/2 minute barrel.
Bench games are however the only place a 1/4 minute barrel is inferior to - or even distinguishable from - a 1/2 minute barrel.
USSR
Member
And you don't see benchrest rifles in the field.
Don
jerkface11
Member
So in bench rest shooting the less accurate barrel is preferred?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
The guy ask about AR's and AK's, not benchrest rifles or FN-SPR's.
You won't find the same level of accuracy from a chrome lined AR-15 barrel that you will most always find from an unlined S/S one.
Whether or not that is due to the chrome lining, or the quality of the barrel to start with, is open to question.
rcmodel
You won't find the same level of accuracy from a chrome lined AR-15 barrel that you will most always find from an unlined S/S one.
Whether or not that is due to the chrome lining, or the quality of the barrel to start with, is open to question.
rcmodel
LittleLebowski
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It isn't a deal breaker.
RockyMtnTactical
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most companies don't overbore. LMT is about one of the only AR15 manufacturers that I know of that does, and that is why they are known for making some of the most accurate chrome lined barrels.
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