Barrels/Stress

[jbhotrod]

For one, I wanted to ask about something that I see a lot of folks say which AFAIK isnt true? A lot of people say that stress is induced during contouring of a barrel, yet Ive always been under the impression that anytime you are removing material = you are also removing/releasing stress..? And that if a barrel gets bent or whatever else during contouring, it is because stress was released which already existed there, not because stress was induced during the contouring..?

Also, whenever a barrel walks/drifts POI as it heats up, is this the inherent stress showing itself? In yall's experience, are cut rifled barrels generally better in this regard - more consistency across differing temps? What barrels performed best in high heat for you?
And which barrels did not perform so great in high heat? What exact symptoms showed up in these?
Thanks yall

 

[Hoodoo]

http://riflebarrels.com/support/faq/#stress

Should answer all your questions.

 

[Will Henry]

The use of a very dull tool could conceivably introduce some stress to the barrel. Any cold forming technique is likely to impart some stress to the barrel. The material used to make the barrel probably has a greater effect than anything else. WH

 

[johnfred1965]

And that if a barrel gets bent or whatever else during contouring, it is because stress was released which already existed there, not because stress was induced during the contouring..?

YES

Also, whenever a barrel walks/drifts POI as it heats up, is this the inherent stress showing itself?

YES

In yall's experience, are cut rifled barrels generally better in this regard - more consistency across differing temps?

Cut rifling does not add stress, but if not stress relieved beforehand it can be a problem.

What barrels performed best in high heat for you?

I have had both cut(Kreiger) and Button(Broughton) shoot wonderfully for me.

And which barrels did not perform so great in high heat? What exact symptoms showed up in these?

Factory hammer forged barrels not properly stress relieved. Walking shots or spreading groups as it heats.

 

[johnfred1965]

http://riflebarrels.com/support/faq/#stress

Should answer all your questions.

I really enjoy Dan Lilja's writing and guess articles, wish he had more on his website.

 

[Tim s]

Your initial observation is somewhat backwards.
Buttoned barrels have tremendous stress during rifling as the buttoning process imparts thousands of pounds of pressure which is why it goes for stress relief.
Recontouring past very minimal levels can very well suffer dimensional changes on what should be a finished contour.

 

[JBT47]

Cut rifled vs. Highest quality button rifled such as Hart, Broughton, Lilja, etc. - I can’t tell a difference in accuracy. As stated numerous times on this forum, a good barrel is a good barrel. If good manufacturing technique is adhered to, I believe either method will produce an equally accurate barrel. That said, when buying a barrel I usually buy single point cut barrels. Reason being is because I can get them in whatever twist rate I desire and the twist will be uniform and consistent.