BreechPlug,

I took some guff when I bought that Apex from some TC owners ...

But I am very happy with the rifle. I only paid $160 (in cabela's points) for it "brand spanky new"

I also got a Kodiak Pro in stainless after liking the Apex (when the Apex supplies run out). I loaned that Kodiak Pro to someone who fired it 10 months earlier and stored it uncleaned. I cleaned that rifle and there wasn't one bit of rust and no pitting whatsoever. Now its low humidity out here and I emphasize that everyone needs to clean their rifles when they get back from the range or the hunt, but I am CERTAIN it couldn't have come out so well had I not bought the stainless barrel.

A number of folks noted that it couldn't have come out like that in the climates where they live. That may be the case, but then having a SOLID stainless barrel would have to help.