Comparison of two barrels

D

Donald

Guest
Given?
Two 6mm barrels.
Same maker.
Same quality.
Both 6ppc.
Same twist and length

Difference:
One Chromemoly
One Stainless Steel.

Question:
Would one last longer than the other, assuming BR accuracy requirements?

Probable rusting is not a factor.
 
Donald

As far as "BR" accuracy is concerned, I doubt you would be ableto tell the difference.

Most BR barrels, (not all), loose that guilded edge at about 800 rounds, although there is the legend of those barrels that just keep shooting. Of course, I am talking about 22 and 6mm. The 30's seem to have a much prolonged competitive life.

It is no big secret that the main reason the barrel manufactuers make super premium barrels from 416R Stainless is the stuff is much easier to establish a straight, precision Rifled hole through, with reasonable tool cost.

The Stainless Steels that will give a noticable added barrel life are those that come from the Precipitating Hardenning familly, such as 15-5 and 17-4 PH. The alloy used by Lothat Walthar comes from this familly if steels, (sort of), although the L-50 Alloy content is proprietary.

So why don't all barrel makers use this??. Remember what I said about establishing a straight, precision hole??. The Precipitating Hardenning steels are not known for their ease in machining, or toollife, when compared to 416R.......jackie
 
Jackie,
Thanks for the prompt reply. That is pretty much as I expected. I figure the 416 stainless is much easier to "work" than the CM. I guess I should have asked about each materials resistance to the propellent flame as I figure this is where most of the throat wear comes from. But what I have wondered is why most manufacturers charge less for the CM barrel than the 416Stainless. I guess because most buyers opt for the 416 they can charge more for it. Supply and demand still works.

Edit: Anyone else have any thoughts?
 
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I am not sure I agree.

The main cause of barrel deterioration seems to be from high temp gas corrosion. Although 416 is not the most corrosion resistant of the stainlesses, it is much more so then alloy steel. As for ease of drilling, I dont see the 416 being much better, but someone like Wade from Shilen could add a lot of real info to that part of it. My understanding is that in the button process that some makers use, lapping is required on all stainless barrels to get out the copper type of lube they use. That may be why the stainless barrels cost more also. Hopefully Wade will chime in.
 
I am not an expert but I can relate my experience with chromoly and stainless steel in 22 caliber centerfire barrels...
I shot prarie dogs for many years used chromoly factory barrels (22-250) and stainless steel match grade barrels..the chromoly could be shot hot and long 2500+ rounds...the stainless steel match grade would wash out the throat in 800+ rounds shot the same way and frequency...
I quit using stainless for that reason...prarie dogs don't require the same accuracy level that target shooting requires so longivity made my choices for me...

Eddie in Texas
 
I've always read that 416 is more temp corrosion resistant than chrome moly too. But it surely would also matter how many impurities are in each batch of steel of either kind. Seems like I read someplace that chrome moly has a certain small percentage of some trace element that deteriorates quicker than the surrounding steel and that stainless steel does not have that element in it. But there's no doubt that chrome moly is "stronger" than stainless. However, we're not hanging weight loads off our barrels!
 
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