What are the pros and cons of Nickel Steel in a centerfire barrel?

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404tbang

Member
Howdy!
I looked at a rifle with Nickel Steel stamped on the barrel. Is this an outdated steel, what are the pros and cons of it? Is it supposed to be tempered harder of softer than current steels, or is it a currently used barrel steel? Would it have any advantages or disadvantages regarding accuracy? I went rootin' around on a couple of barrelmaker sites, I saw discussions of stainless and chrome moly, but I did not see Nickel Steel.

Thanks!
Greg
 
Greg

Through the years, various manufacturers have had proprietary alloys that they use in their manufacturing of various parts. The term "nickel steel" is rather ambiguous, there are a multitude of steels that contain nickel as a alloying element. By definition, any alloy steel that contains between .5 and 6 percent nickle can be termed a "nickle steel".

As a alloying agent, nickle is added to steel to primarilly increase its strength and ductillity, with no ill affects aside from a small decrease in machinabilty. The most common steel that comes to mind that incorporates nickle as a enhancer to ductility and strength is 4340.

If you had a actual ASTM number, it would be easy to look the alloy up and acsertain what the originol manufacturer had in mind. Another example of a steel being used in barrels is 'Bofors'. Sako for years had this stamped on their barerels, and everybody wondered just what it was. The fact is, Bofors is a Swedish Steel Producer that furnished the steel for Sako. As to what the actual chemical make up of the alloy used was, who knows.

The term "nickle steel' it is probably nothing more than a catchy phrase to be used in describing the product..........jackie
 
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Jackie, Thanks for the professional and very informative discourse on nickle steel. It takes a talented person to make the complex simple rather then vice verse. Tim
 
steel answer

Howdie Jackie!
Thanks for the answer! The barrel is a custom, I believe from the 1930's. It is in great shape. Hardly been shot. I intend to shoot it some, but I did not know if it would have any negatives associated to it regarding accuracy. The barrel maker was top notch, so I doubt it.

I have to agree with Tim, I could not have phrased it better, that was a great answer!

Thank you!
Greg
 
Nickel Steel

If memory serves me correctly, I think I remember the words "Nickel Steel" on Winchester barrels years ago. I think it might have been on some Model 70's. Also on their Model 12 shotguns?
Best,
Dan Batko

"Where are we going and why am I in this basket?"
 
Nickel steels are those containing around 3% to 5% nickel. The SAE or AISI numbers are 2XXX. 4340 would not be considered a Nickel steel although it does have about 2% nickel in it. They contain some Manganese but no Chromium. These steels were original developed for applications that required carburizing so it difficult to see where they have an advantage used in rifle barrels. However they are relatively cheap and have good heat treating properties and machining characteristics and can be brought up to the same hardness level in small cross sections as the higher alloy steels.
Probably the real reason they are used in barrels is that they are made in bar or rod form that lends itself to barrel manufacture.
 
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Pacecil

It seems I read somewhere, (can't quite figure out where), that this particular line of steels was first developed for Bridge Construction, especially large truss cantelever structures and Eye Bar Bridges.

After reading your post, I must admitt that I was in error, there really is a specific familly of steels that are called "nickle steels", with the only other major alloying agent being manganese.

Like you, I fasil to see any advantage in the manufacture of a Rifle Barrel.

Learn something every day.............jackie
 
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