First time poster with newbie question. I've bow hunted for many years but would like to pick up a little range and try something new. After reading many threads, I've decided on the Omega - but I'm wondering about barrels.

The price (on Cabelas) is the same for the stainless or camo barrel. Is there a difference in barrel quality between the two? Any reason to choose one over the other? I didn't know if they're putting camo paint on a poorer quality barrel. That brings up another question - is stainless really that much more rust resistant than blue? There's a $100 difference in price... Any help choosing between the stainless and camo is appreciated!

Thanks for helping out all of us newb's - this forum is great!

Although there's nothing wrong with blued steel, stainless is better for muzzleloaders. It resists corrosion better but still needs to be cleaned like blued steel. Also stainless cleans up easier. I own a couple blued steel guns and a couple stainless guns. I prefer the stainless.

I was weighing this same issue out about a month ago. Got the stainless gun. Even in a normally dry climate like Colorado, the stainless is nice to have in rainy conditions - and there has been evidence to suggest that it resists corrosion better if you wind up have to leave the barrel fouled for a period of time. I can always put some camo tape over the barrel if we need to be really stealthy.

I always wonder if the camo pattern of a rifle or shotgun really makes that much difference to the animal or fowl being shot. I say this from years of hunting turkey with an old plain jane double barrel 12 gauge. I never spooked one turkey that I know of with the blued barrels and plain wood stock. I think if I had to choose between the stainless and the camo I would pick the stainless.

Stainless is less prone to corrosion they claim. That would not be the deciding factor fo rmebecause if I shoot that rifle that day, I don't care where I am, I will clean it that night somehow. Still, that is a nice factor to those that just can not get to it, or refuse to clean it. I do not think stainless spooks game because I have hunted with stainless barrels and nickel barrels and not one animal so far noticed the barrel and those that did, well it was too late for them anyway.

Another advantage of the stainless barrel is looks... Face it, when we look at rifles we like the ones that shine. When we look at auction sites at rifles, how many look at the stainless rifles,and kind of glance at the camo ones. Face it, if you ever wanted to sell it, I think the stainless would sell faster. Those that say, I never sell my rifles, fine... But, what if?

Like Roskoe said which is a good point, if I want it camo I will put some tapeon it. The stainless with a nickel or satin finish scope is one good looking outfit. They even look nice with a black scope mounted on them... they would get my vote.!!

I thought the Omega stainless barrels came with a wood stock& the camo came with synthetic stock.

That's how it was two years ago when I bought mine. I prefer wood (laminated) & I love stainless barrels. Mine was an easy decision.

So tell me... are the 2005 stainless barrels coming with synthetic stock?? I think all the camo barrel Omegas have a synthetic stock... or has that changed also?

Get the stainless Omega and don't look back!

Triple Se7en......You can get the stainless barrel with laminated stock, black synthetic, or camo synthetic.

i'd get the stainless, you can always paint it yourself if you want camo.

Thanks for the update mooseman.