Barrel Treatments

[NCVarhtr]

I've been thinking about having one or more of my new barrels treated with either Melonite or Sodium Nitrate...Recently while discussing this with a bench rest shooter that I have a lot of respect for, he suggested that I look at the Sodium Nitrate process..I can't find any information about it or who does it...He indicated that there was an article some time ago here on 6BR about the Sodium Nitrate process but after doing several searches, I still can't find anything.....Any help would be gratly appreciated. George

 

[watercam]

Ask a LOT of people. I am hearing widely varying stories of either success or disasters over the long term...
No first hand experience on my part however...

 

[cmillard]

MMI tru teck salt bath nitriding (nitrocarburizing)

 

[Ing. Michael W. Mayerl]

I've been thinking about having one or more of my new barrels treated with either Melonite or Sodium Nitrate...Recently while discussing this with a bench rest shooter that I have a lot of respect for, he suggested that I look at the Sodium Nitrate process..I can't find any information about it or who does it...He indicated that there was an article some time ago here on 6BR about the Sodium Nitrate process but after doing several searches, I still can't find anything.....Any help would be gratly appreciated. George

A tip: the best process is plasma nitrogen hardening.
The chamber and muzzle should be covered to get no nitriding inside (better accuracy and no problem with breaking corners because nitriding gets very hard on the surface).

 

[NCVarhtr]

Guys, I really appreciate all the good advice and suggestions.

Michael, Who does the Plasma Nitrogen process and how can I get in touch with them??
Do you know of anyone who has experience with this this process? Any help is much appreciated. George

 

[mnshortdraw]

Melonite/ salt bath nitriding both treat the whole barrel bore and all. The barrel I had done gained velocity, didn't copper up, and seemed to last longer than normal. It seems to be a pretty good treatment if your barrel is broken in and no more machining needs to be done on it.

 

[Ing. Michael W. Mayerl]

Guys, I really appreciate all the good advice and suggestions.

Michael, Who does the Plasma Nitrogen process and how can I get in touch with them??
Do you know of anyone who has experience with this this process? Any help is much appreciated. George

Google who is offering Plasma Nitrogen hardening in the US.
In europe most comanies who offer steel hardening also offer plasma nitrogen hardening.
Salt Bath nitrogen hardening is better for small parts because cheaper. But barrels can`t be closed so plasma is better when only the outside surface should be made.

 

[holstil]

Anybody know the specifics? To what depth of hardness, how hard (RC) and surface quality of each?

Jim

 

[NCVarhtr]

Go to the home page here, top left (third down) click on bulletins, in the "search" box type in "nitriding" . Scroll down and there is an article about the process........Says 10 to 20 microns thick. Haven't found a a hardness # yet. Interesting article and video. I have been using Moly coated bullets for about 15 years and haven't had a problem. I do a lot of high volume shooting ie Prairie Dogs/Groundhogs and am looking for an alternative to that application. Some friends that I consider very knowledgable, have gone to the nitriding process with very good results. Long strings of shooting without the need to clean and very easy cleanup afterwards...I was wondering about the experience of others that have the same kinds of needs for high volume shooting????? Thanks, George

 

[serial # 001]

Last year I had a 24" barrel done by a fellow named Joel Kendrick. He didn't plug the ends at my request. I gained about 1% increase in velocity and it is much easier to clean. There is no recrowning it because of the hardness. It is the only hunting rifle I have that will always put the first bullet on the target on the verticle crosshair whether I am firring at 100 yards or 300 yards. hIs phone number is 1 (704) 616-6442.

 

[holstil]

I've spoken to Joel a couple years ago about it and worked his action that had the Nitride treatment. It is slicker than a non treated action. He told me a little about it. At the time, I couldn't really justify the expense. Now I am curious about the plasma and the differences.
I don't clean my barrel much now. I don't see any difference in accuracy til after about 100-150 rds. I am willing to change my mind.


It is nice to see comparative information from those that know about it.
I think Butch has recrowned Nit. treated barrels.

Jim

 

[butchlambert]

Recrowning is not a problem. The treatment is only about .0004" deep. Take an abrasive wheel and cut off a part of the old muzzle. The face of the barrel is down to the old metal and now you can recrown. Forget about rechambering. Why use plasma if you don't treat the bore? The bore is all I really care about treating.