I am new to this forum. In considering hunting rifles (to be used in Wisconsin, Kansas, Texas, and Colorado) any specific advantages to carbon steel over stainless for actions & barrels. It seems with proper care both will last.

Understanding the Context

From various posts and treads this question usually comes down... I keep an eye out for Remington 7400:s and 750:s, mostly because of yet another want instead of need, and stumbled across something I've never seen before. A 7400, .308, advertised as stainless steel, by a shop that also carries two other second hand 7400:s in their inventory. Priced at €390...

Key Insights

Melonite info From my research within the last 2 weeks: Bought a S&W Sigma SW9VE, that apparently was a special order of 4000 from S&W that fell through, and were sold for $279 (new)! Apparently the original purchaser specified a carbon steel slide with Melonite instead of the OEM stainless slide. Traded an older SW9C for a SW40VE that came with a dull finish/stainless slide (didn’t ... Stainless steel was originally chosen for rifle barrels because it resists erosion better than carbon steel. (Erosion due to hot propellant gases is what wears out a barrel.) The stainless is more heat tolerant in this application.

Final Thoughts

Nowadays, stainless steel is also used due to it's lower maintenance requirements than carbon steel. I am thinking about purchasing a Stainless Steel - Remington .44 Caliber (Pietta) from the http://www.possibleshop.com/pietta.htm for 385.00..Has anyone... You may be dazzled by the outdoor kitchens you see on home improvement TV shows. Designers work hard each year to create trends of every type. You see it in clothing, paint colors, new vehicles, etc.