Testing Friction Reduction of Bullet Coatings

[Michael Courtney]

The Aug 2012 issue of Precision Shooting contains an article comparing the friction reducing effects of MS2, WS2, HBN, and Lubalox. The research was performed with cadets at the Air Force Academy who co-authored the article. The title is "Friction Effects of Common Bullet Coatings in 5.56mm NATO" and uses the same technique as the earlier article originally published in the March 2012 issue of Precision Shooting and reprinted at http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/measuring-rifle-barrel-friction-1.php . The results were somewhat surprising to us.

 

[alf]

Should be an interesting read.....when I get my mag.


It'll be at least a week yet......

 

[Scott Harris]

I did not see any results of the coating tests: what were the results?

 

[infantrytrophy]

I don't think that there are any results, at least of the effects of lubricants. This just showed a linear response of muzzle energy vs. powder charge, so that extrapolation back to the vertical intercept would show a valid indication of energy lost due to barrel friction.

In other words, the experiment validated a method to test for decreased friction due to lubricants; it didn't actually do such a test of the lubricants, which is probably what you wanted.

Patience, Grasshopper! Now that these authors have shown the way, it is just an exercise for the reader to test the lubricants. ;D

Randy

ETA: Michael (post #4 below) is correct. My comments refer to the March article in the link above. Like Scot, I am waiting to see the August article with the results.

 

[Michael Courtney]

I don't think that there are any results, at least of the effects of lubricants. This just showed a linear response of muzzle energy vs. powder charge, so that extrapolation back to the vertical intercept would show a valid indication of energy lost due to barrel friction.

In other words, the experiment validated a method to test for decreased friction due to lubricants; it didn't actually do such a test of the lubricants, which is probably what you wanted.

Patience, Grasshopper! Now that these authors have shown the way, it is just an exercise for the reader to test the lubricants. ;D

Randy

The March 2012 article presents the method. This month's article (Aug 2012) presents the results of testing lubricants on 3 different bullets in a 5.56mm test rifle. Of course, the method can also be used to test lubricants on your favorite bullet.