To chrome or not to chrome?....

[BowStreetRunner]

Fellas,
I am going to order an AR kit soon, regular 20 inch A2. I may someday in the next couple years try and use the rifle for highpower competition and add better sights, FF handgaurd tube, trigger as I get more funds. I would love to buy a competition grade upper right now but the funds aren't going to be there for a little while. My question is, should I get a chromed barrel if I am planning on using the rifle for highpower/cmp/servicerifle later? The dealer where I am going to get the lower said yes. I like the idea of chrome for ease of cleaning. Which would be the better way to go?
Thanks,
BSR

 

[redneck2]

might want to do a search. There was a long thread on this within the last week or so

 

[Gary G23]

While I believe that chrome is the way to go for most applications, highpower competition is not one of them.
Most highpower competitors are pretty anal about cleaning the bore so chrome isn't an issue there. Reliability isn't an issue either since the rules allow alibis. The slight benefit in accuracy might come in handy.
All of my rifles have chrome lined bores but I no longer shoot highpower.

 

[knoxx45]

Nope, not for competition

the chrome can never be applied 100% uniformly. The small (very small) irregularities might not be noticable at 100 yards, but farther out it will be noticable.

 

[Geno]

Resounding "No!"

The chromed bores, regardless of how meticulously built do not compare favorably with the non-chromed. I too like chromed bores, but they have a purpose...1) protect from the elements in hunting/combat where instant cleaning is not always an option, and 2) protect the lands and groves during sustained fire, in most cases literally doubling the bore's life.

In either case, that the rifle is 1.5 to 2.0 MOA capable at 100 yards is incosequential. It can still take out a game animal/humanoid target to 600 yards rather easily. However, in comptetion, one needs a rifle that is sub-MOA accurate, and that is what competetors are using. These are the rifles that are winning. Hard-chromed bores won't make it.

Doc2005

 

[USSR]

The chromed bores, regardless of how meticulously built do not compare favorably with the non-chromed.

The only exception to this (that I know of) is the FN SPR line of tactical rifles. FN has a proprietary method of applying chrome to the bore that results in target grade accuracy.

Don

 

[BowStreetRunner]

I doubt I'll shoot out the bore anytime soon, especially with ammo prices where they are at....so I'm thinking no chrome would be the way to go. thanks for the input guys
BSR

 

[LittleLebowski]

My chrome lined SPR shoots a witnessed and verified sub half MOA with Federal Match ammo. I nailed a prairie dog at 730 yards back home in Wyoming. If you do a bit of research, you'll find FN has made chrome lined barrels work.