Simple answer is I had assumed that coatings do not offer any additional protection to the bore, hence the inclination to go ss.
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You are supposed to maintain your weapon...
The black bear from sako is very nice but might be a bit heavy for what you want to do?
Specially when hunting in Stewart island...
How ever I got two customers sakos this week, a 222 L461 and an A2 in 243, both with original barrels and their bore where in immaculate conditions inside.
The bore on chrome moly barrels take a little extra effort, like a minute or two. In damp conditions just pull a lightly coated oil patch through the barrel before beddy byes and a clean patch through in the morning. Nothing that hunters haven't being doing for over a hundred years. Stainless will rust too but not as fast as CM. I've seen a few SS bores that were pitted; it's not the same stainless as the kitchen sink is made of.
Personally, I would never base the purchase of a rifle on whether it's stainless or not.
I am rethinking my attitude to weight having recently gone from tikka to a Blaser. It's 500 g heavier (4.6kg v 4.1 all up). It's easier to shoot. Have yet to take it on an extended walk but was up and down some steep hills yesterday and can't say I really noticed a difference.