Stubblejumpers 1st post says it all, and the last one puts an exclamation point on it! From a functional standpoint, no doubt a SS and synthetic combo cannot be beat...period. That is if you "use" your rifle and expose it to the elements. The beaded SS looks like a bleached, dead branch when you see it. No shine whatsoever.

If you want a rifle that "looks" nice, get a nicely wood grained, high gloss blued barrel. If you want a great "hunting" weapon, get the above. Both of my rifles and muzzle loader are ss/synthetic combos and have seen some prety ugly weather over the years and still look and work great.