Breechplug,

I'd say your buddy's experience would be a better example of what stainless can do.

As I said, its low humidity out here but blackpower residue will still destroy a carbon barrel out here. Until I lent the Kodiak Pro, I thought it would a stainless barrel also. I had mentioned this around a year ago ... basically to encourage people to consider a stainless barrel on their next purchase. I think its more important to take care of one's rifle than it is to buy a stainless barrel and I'm not suggesting that one should abuse his SS rifle.

That said, I am not at all surprised that your friend's SS encore is holding up in spite of the lack of meticulous care.