Titanium vs Steel Action Performance

[treillw]

Steel is stronger than titanium, given an equal metal volume. Titanium is stronger than steel, given an equal metal weight.

Steel's modulus of elasticity is roughly twice titanium's; therefore, titanium stretches roughly twice as much as steel when loaded. As such, a titanium action will elongate roughly twice as much as a steel action when the cartridge explosion tries to separate the barrel from the action.

Theoretically, a titanium action cannot be pushed as hard with magnum loads as a steel action can be, given essentially equal metal volume in the actions, before it shows typical "signs of pressure" that most reloaders are familiar with (hard bolt lift, extractor marks, primer flattening and puncture, etc). As you probably already know, reloaders often use these signs to set upper powder charge thresholds.

My question is this: for those who have titanium actions, do you see the above mentioned "reloading pressure limit signs" at lower chamber pressures with a titanium action than with a steel action? In other words, a titanium action may allow a 115 grain bullet to be pushed 3300 fps, while a steel action, with all else equal, will allow an increased powder charge because it elongates half as much, propelling the same 115 grain projectile say 3400 fps.

Is there any solid data or result concurrence related to this?

Thanks!

 

[jackieschmidt]

The only reason to use Titanium for an action body is weight savings.

Major manufacturers have deemed that Titanium alloys are adequate for action bodies. Best evidence is Remington with their Titanium Ultra Mag Rifles, which operate at 65,000+ psi.

However, as you stated, Titanium somply does not proccess the mechanical properties of Chrome Moly, (4140 variants), and Chrome Moly Nickel Steels, (4340).

Nor does it come anywhere near the mechanical properties of the Precipitation Hardening family of Stainless Steels.

Sure, you can increase the mass of the action, but then what’s the point, aside from the cool factor.

 

[FNSafari]

The only titanium action I have ever handled was a Gaulin. I found the bolt sticky when cycled. Perhaps more modern alloys have eliminated that?

 

[wedgy]

I have a Ti action from Mesa Precision and it was very rough for the first ~200 cycles then it smoothed out. Smith said it was very rough also. With todays lightweight steel actions I see no need to do another in Ti.