If you actually call TC they will say it is not 100 percent pure stainless steel. I had a pro hunter barrel that turned brownish tan inside at the muzzle. I called TC and they said it was the heat that turned it and the barrels are not actually 100 percent stainless. Also its all about the process in which they make the barrels. They have to heat treat and polish it right to achive the right hardness and resitance to corrosion. Just how there are different types of blueing and how it is done. I'm sorry every stainless steel barrel that i have seen that has been hunted over the years show more wear than a blued barrel. Now they may rust less or more slowly but your suppose to clean your rifles anyhow. I can not justify spended the extra money for SS. Its not going to shoot differently (good or bad). The nice thing about blued is that it always can be redone. Now note this is MY opinion so please dont get upset. Also I don't live back east or south. I don't have the problem with humid air or hunting in the rain usually. Sometimes in the summer I actually have to run a humidifier in my summer. Hunting season is usually dry/dry snow/ and colder than hell.