oldelkhunter, I don' t know which one is safer, I' m not an engineer, but I' ll take your word for it.

About the cut rifleing though, all you have to do is check the benchrest shooting seen, and very series varmit shooters, 99% of all the barrels they use are cut rifeling and usually replacement barrels.

I do agree with you that todays rifles are stronger, because the steel alloy is stronger, although the craftmanship and attetion to detail as slipped through the years.

I could be wrong but I think I have seen some pre 64' s with chrome lined bores.