Barrel Nitriding

[robbor]

Who all is doing it and doing a good job and how to get ahold of them?
Ive called MMI and Joel's numbers and no answer and no returned calls in two weeks.

 

[Shawnba67]

Not to resurrect a zombie thread but I have the same questions. All the search turned up was 2yr old info.

 

[robbor]

Not to resurrect a zombie thread but I have the same questions. All the search turned up was 2yr old info.

I spoke to two smiths from the benchrest list both said it was bad for accuracy. Also mmi/trutech I guess is not providing this service to the public anymore and no one there would answer or return my calls. I've scrapped the idea for now.
Also in researching I saw something stating the process may cause the bore to open up on sections where the barrel is thinner. I had lots of questions but could find no info or answers. My other question was to be if the process would be better or more accurate on 5r rifling vs conventional because of the thinner sharper edges. So far I don't see any of the barrel nitriders standing up for there process with empirical evidence.

 

[shortgrass]

So far, this thread is full of holes....Enter QPQ in the search box. Go back to the beginning of 2014 and press 'search'. You'll find plenty to read. Companies that do salt bath nitriding are not gun smiths, they're heat treaters. So, why would they have an opinion on a barrels accuracy after treatment? They did their part, they increased the surface hardness of the part that was provided to them. Just like anything else gun related, you'll get as many different answers to your question as those you ask.

 

[Dgd6mm]

MMI Trutec did a few barrels for 3of us back in 2011. I had a 7saum done and a 6mm CMS. The 7 shot every bit as good after treatment as it did before treatment, the 6 is put away. I believe the 6mm CMS will shoot the same it did before treatment. I do not know who offers the QPQ treatment today.

 

[butchlambert]

Melonite QPQ is basically a surface hardening. I have had many done and it has not affected how they shoot, they just last a great deal longer. I have checked them with Deltronic pins and they neither enlarge or get smaller. I think the problems that some have is not thoroughly cleaning them after treatment. I always scrub mine first with a good brush and then JB it. These folks are metal treatment facilities only, not barrel cleaning facilities. Several places will do it, but you need to send more than one barrel to make the minimum lot price agreeable to you.

 

[Kurz]

Another reason for a lack of responses is that these companies are busy! They have been overwhelmed by every little AR barrel maker and now several action makers doing huge volumes of work. This is what the nitriders are looking for, not the onesey, twosey from an individual. They want volume to fill up those tanks of liquefied salts.

Regards.

 

[hogpatrol]

Rock Creek sends in batches and will take a single from an individual. I've only had one done through them and it came back clean as a whistle.

 

[shortgrass]

When I clean a barrel after having it treated I start off with a bucket of hot as I can get it soapy water and a guided cleaning rod with the proper sized bronze brush. I just use dish soap and it does a heck of a job removing the left over residue. After I'm satisfied, I dry it, inside and out and then push a few patches of JB through it until I'm satisfied. Barrels have always been as accurate after as they were before treatment, for me anyway. Don't forget to clean the chamber, too.

 

[eric32]

Any result to barrel life with the 6mm calibers?

 

[butchlambert]

Any result to barrel life with the 6mm calibers?

Well, I had a Kreiger PPC barrel with 5,000 rounds through it with no throat wear. This was verified by Ed Shilen a few years ago with pin gauges and bore scope inspection. I don't keep round count anymore as I shoot little in the last couple years.

 

[eric32]

With the 6mm ppc what is the normal life?

 

[Scott Harris]

I've had about ten barrels done and, in my experience, accuracy was not affected one way or the other, nor was barrel life. Heat stress and firecracking is what wears the barrel out, not friction from the bullet. The melonite treatment is microns thick and does not reduce fire cracking one bit. That's been my experience. I do like meloniting actions: prevents galling and looks great.

 

[butchlambert]

Usually top competitive accuracy is about 1000-1200 rounds.

 

[eric32]

Usually top competitive accuracy is about 1000-1200 rounds.

Thanks for the info

 

[butchlambert]

I've had about ten barrels done and, in my experience, accuracy was not affected one way or the other, nor was barrel life. Heat stress and firecracking is what wears the barrel out, not friction from the bullet. The melonite treatment is microns thick and does not reduce fire cracking one bit. That's been my experience. I do like meloniting actions: prevents galling and looks great.

Not my experience.