How to tell if a barrel is SS or CM if it is cerokoted

[tuttlefarm]

Can anyone tell me how to check a barrel that has been cerokoted to see if it is SS or CM. I had some barreled actions sent to me, all are cerokoted but all were supposed to be stainless.
thanks John

 

[mike mccormick]

A magnet would work depending on the SS used.

I am not aware of any stainless used in barrel making that is not magnetic

 

[Boilermaker]

I am not aware of any stainless used in barrel making that is not magnetic

Thanks for the reply. I wasn’t sure what grades of stainless were used for barrels or if any of them would be magnetic.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I am not aware of any stainless used in barrel making that is not magnetic

^^^^^^^^^

 

[tuttlefarm]

A magnet would work depending on the SS used.

All my barrels from Krieger barrels are magnetic

 

[Edd]

I would like to know how to tell if they are unfinished. I just received two new barrel blanks, one was supposed to be SS and one CM. They both look like SS to me.

 

[LCazador]

If you have some cold blue solution around you might try it on muzzle or chamber area that isn't cerakoted.
Stainless will not turn blue or dark but CM will.

 

[tuttlefarm]

If you have some cold blue solution around you might try it on muzzle or chamber area that isn't cerakoted.
Stainless will not turn blue or dark but CM will.

Thanks, this was the magic answer we needed

 

[Dusty Stevens]

+1 on the cold blue

 

[Herzo]

300 series stainless steel (303, 304, 316 etc) are non-magnetic but as they cannot be heat treated are relatively soft and not appropriate for use in rifle barrels. The 400 series as well as the precipitation hardening alloys can be heat treated but are attracted to magnets. There are several in the 400 series that are used in barrels.

 

[55fairlane]

Easiest way to tell is to do the spark test, but that sounds like not an option. So I'm the rest, do the cold blue test.

 

[Edd]

Easiest way to tell is to do the spark test, but that sounds like not an option. So I'm the rest, do the cold blue test.

Describe the spark test.

 

[Herzo]

Easiest way to tell is to do the spark test, but that sounds like not an option. So I'm the rest, do the cold blue test.

Spark test works well for those of us who know what lo look for and are old enough to have been taught it.

 

[Herzo]

If you put a piece of steel against a grinding wheel, you can get a general idea of it's chemistry by looking at the sparks generated. Carbon, manganese and other elements will each generate their own color/pattern.

 

[55fairlane]

Spark testing - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Hope this helps.....no carbon, no sparks, low carbon orange sparks, high carbon red sparks....

 

[butchlambert]

Quote: There are several in the 400 series that are used in barrels.


Would you care to expound on this?

 

[rijndael]

I’ve seen 410 listed in a few AR barrels and 416(R?) for most precision rifle barrels.

 

[DocCarbon]

Thanks, this was the magic answer we needed

If you have the ability to gauge magnetic strength IE strain gauge and use a magnet ,the 416 will be far weaker magnetically than CM . No matter the grade of SS it will always be lower magnetic or none .

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Quote: There are several in the 400 series that are used in barrels.


Would you care to expound on this?

I'm not sure how many different grades of ss have been or are still used but I'd guess that 95% are 416 or 416R

 

[LCazador]

Describe the spark test.

If your akk catches fire,
You have received too many sparks on your attire!! LOL!