Steel in custom barrels?

[hoz53]

I am wondering what steel is used in custom barrels made in US these days? I know at one time Crucible 416R was used but is that still true? - i thought they went out of business? who makes the steel for the barrel makers these days. Thanks

 

[DirtySteve]

I know Bartlien just came out with a new steel for their barrels. I do not know what it is though.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Most are still 416R.

I doubt that There is still anything proprietary about 416R. Several manufactures produce it under the same ASTM designation.

here is one.

416R Stainless Steel – Gun Barrel

Stainless Shapes is a proud supplier of 416R stainless steel for gun barrels. The material is 100% Eddy current and tested to ASTM standards. Give us a call today!

www.stainlessshapes.net

The new steel that Bartlien is using is a precipitation hardening stainless that does have superior mechanical properties when compared to 416R. These properties do include better resistance to heat erosion such as found in the throats of barrels.

 

[hoz53]

Most are still 416R.

I doubt that There is still anything proprietary about 416R. Several manufactures produce it under the same ASTM designation.

here is one.

416R Stainless Steel – Gun Barrel

Stainless Shapes is a proud supplier of 416R stainless steel for gun barrels. The material is 100% Eddy current and tested to ASTM standards. Give us a call today!

www.stainlessshapes.net

The new steel that Bartlien is using is a precipitation hardening stainless that does have superior mechanical properties when compared to 416R. These properties do include better resistance to heat erosion such as found in the throats of barrels.

Thats what i wanted to know- — Thank You Jackie—

 

[L.Sherm]

I can assure you not all 416R is rhe same.

 

[CharlieNC]

I can assure you not all 416R is rhe same.

What are the differences? I ask because I think I see variability in the quality of the steel in the few barrels I have, which is clearly too few to really be significant. But interesting.

 

[L.Sherm]

Theres differences in RC hardness, I believe if you go to Kreigers website they claim there own 416 a company makes for them

 

[hoz53]

I can assure you not all 416R is rhe same.

Thats what I wonderered. I will keep digging for some info. Thank You

 

[hoz53]

Theres differences in RC hardness, I believe if you go to Kreigers website they claim there own 416 a company makes for them

Ok I will look- thanks again

 

[jackieschmidt]

Thats what I wonderered. I will keep digging for some info. Thank You

Of course not all 416R is the same, just like not all 4140, or any other metal product for that matter is “the same”.

The variations come in the manufacturing process. Technically, the chemical composition of all 416R falls within the ASTM guidelines for adherence to the percentages of alloying elements. However, the actual way the steel is processed makes a huge difference in the final product, mainly in the cleanliness of the steel at the molecular level.

Historically, Crucible’s manufacturing process, probably some type of proprietary method, insured steel with no inclusions at that level, increasing ductility at higher RC hardness. This also translated into a steel with no inclusions that could be a severe detriment to a barrels potential.

I feel safe in saying that if you purchase a premium barrel from one of the top manufacturers, the 416R that they use will be up to the finest quality.

 

[hoz53]

Of course not all 416R is the same, just like not all 4140, or any other metal product for that matter is “the same”.

The variations come in the manufacturing process. Technically, the chemical composition of all 416R falls within the ASTM guidelines for adherence to the percentages of alloying elements. However, the actual way the steel is processed makes a huge difference in the final product, mainly in the cleanliness of the steel at the molecular level.

Historically, Crucible’s manufacturing process, probably some type of proprietary method, insured steel with no inclusions at that level, increasing ductility at higher RC hardness. This also translated into a steel with no inclusions that could be a severe detriment to a barrels potential.

I feel safe in saying that if you purchase a premium barrel from one of the top manufacturers, the 416R that they use will be up to the finest quality.

Alot more great info. Thank You for all this

 

[Ziabeam]

I know Bartlien just came out with a new steel for their barrels. I do not know what it is though.

Carpenter steel rings a bell.

Edit; Research indicates they replaced Carpenter steel with 400MODBB whatever that is. May be a variation of Carpenter steel? Claims of enhanced barrel life.

 

[Mark Buettgen]

Carpenter steel rings a bell.

Edit; Research indicates they replaced Carpenter steel with 400MODBB whatever that is. May be a variation of Carpenter steel? Claims of enhanced barrel life.

Hey Guy's
Other than one sample batch that went to just one customer, we never used Carpenter Steel.
Crucible and Western Branch and then around 07 or 08, to our current supplier.
The mix for the 400MOD was something Tracy and Frank thought up years ago but none of the Mills would do a sample batch for us to work with. Tracy was convinced it would work so after years of thinking about it, he gambled, broke out the checkbook, wrote a very large check, and ordered a whole pour---Damn stuff works!
Some of the folks we enlisted to help in the research were bullet and ammunition companies for their Pressure and Accuracy Test barrels. They keep meticulous records and good cleaning practices. The feed back we got was very positive and showed quite extended barrel life over standard 416R without the downsides of a material that's too hard like some of the offerings from other makers in the past.
Our standard 416R comes in at between 28 or 29 Rockwell. Our 400MOD comes in at around 30 Rockwell.
You don't need to do anything different working with it, same feeds, speeds and coolants, and don't need to worry about loosing reamers to it. It leaves a very nice finish.
Later, Mark Buettgen
Bartlein Barrels Inc.

 

[Ziabeam]

Hey Guy's
Other than one sample batch that went to just one customer, we never used Carpenter Steel.
Crucible and Western Branch and then around 07 or 08, to our current supplier.
The mix for the 400MOD was something Tracy and Frank thought up years ago but none of the Mills would do a sample batch for us to work with. Tracy was convinced it would work so after years of thinking about it, he gambled, broke out the checkbook, wrote a very large check, and ordered a whole pour---Damn stuff works!
Some of the folks we enlisted to help in the research were bullet and ammunition companies for their Pressure and Accuracy Test barrels. They keep meticulous records and good cleaning practices. The feed back we got was very positive and showed quite extended barrel life over standard 416R without the downsides of a material that's too hard like some of the offerings from other makers in the past.
Our standard 416R comes in at between 28 or 29 Rockwell. Our 400MOD comes in at around 30 Rockwell.
You don't need to do anything different working with it, same feeds, speeds and coolants, and don't need to worry about loosing reamers to it. It leaves a very nice finish.
Later, Mark Buettgen
Bartlein Barrels Inc.

Thank you for the clarification.
Tracy mentioned Carpenter steel when giving me the tour of the shop, and deferred to blued steel after seeing my barrel profile for the BMG barrel y’all made for me. Beautiful barrel by the way!

 

[Djfergus]

Hey Guy's
Other than one sample batch that went to just one customer, we never used Carpenter Steel.
Crucible and Western Branch and then around 07 or 08, to our current supplier.
The mix for the 400MOD was something Tracy and Frank thought up years ago but none of the Mills would do a sample batch for us to work with. Tracy was convinced it would work so after years of thinking about it, he gambled, broke out the checkbook, wrote a very large check, and ordered a whole pour---Damn stuff works!
Some of the folks we enlisted to help in the research were bullet and ammunition companies for their Pressure and Accuracy Test barrels. They keep meticulous records and good cleaning practices. The feed back we got was very positive and showed quite extended barrel life over standard 416R without the downsides of a material that's too hard like some of the offerings from other makers in the past.
Our standard 416R comes in at between 28 or 29 Rockwell. Our 400MOD comes in at around 30 Rockwell.
You don't need to do anything different working with it, same feeds, speeds and coolants, and don't need to worry about loosing reamers to it. It leaves a very nice finish.
Later, Mark Buettgen
Bartlein Barrels Inc.

If I ever get around to building a 28 nosler..... This is the barrel I will be looking for. Thanks for the info!