I am not a Metallurgist so can someone explain to me why stainless steel barrels have a shorter life than 4150/4140 steel barrels?
I am guessing they are softer than 4140/4150 steel and that is why.
Understanding the differance between practical accuracy and mechanical accuracy why do stainless barrels (from quality companies) have more intrinsic accuracy than non-stainless barrels if compared to barrels of the same length, diameter, and installed in the same configuration. I am not talking about FF varmint bull barrels compared to a M4 profile. Apples to Apples or at least as close as possible.
Most if not all stainless barrels run tighter chambers than Mil Spec and almost always appear to have .223 Wylde chambers. Why is this?
Why do almost all stainless barrels have a 1-8 twist?
Do all these things have to do with how stainless steel machines?
Another question to add to the list… How does the life span of SS barrels stack up against non-chrome lined barrels? Edit: eh, I guess I answered below…if I’m correct.
I believe there is a higher carbon content in chrome-moly barrels. Carbon makes steel stronger, but more brittle. Take knives for instance. A SS knife will get damaged easier. But the damage it takes will bend the blade. A carbon steel knife will take more force to damage it, and it holds it’s edge better, but when it does get damaged, it will break. But that’s why Chrome moly barrels (high carbon?) have a longer life.
The accuracy difference between the non SS and SS is probably the same as CL vs non CL. The softer metal in the bore grips the projectile better, giving it better twist and more control.
Ok I’ll continue… Wylde chambers are more accurate (tighter). If you are buying SS, they probably assume you want a more accurate gun, so they give you the more accurate chamber with it.
The above are educated guesses (a lot of my posts are :D), but this is an all out guess… 1/8 is in between. Good accuracy from 55 through 77. SS can be used in a sniper system or a varmint gun, so they want the best for most grains.
Johnny, I think you are probably correct. After looking at some technical sites online about steel, stainless steel 410,416 grades and 4150 and 4140 steel I think I have a better understanding why it is used.
It’s not a .223 benchrest type chamber. It was developed for use with long VLD type bullets used by long range shooters. The neck length and freebore are long comparatively.
Bill Wylde was/is involved mostly with long range and F class shooters.
But for a carbine, that can be negligable as opposed to a 20" varment gun.
So you chromed lined barrel, will have a great barrel length and if uber accurate from the beginning will hold it longer vs tight SS barrel where accuracy will/could be better by .0001 % etc.
Absolutely somebody can mess up a barrel not using a reamer. The REAMER, though, is what cuts the finished chamber. The chamber can only be as good as a reamer.
Without retyping the specs of each individual reamer, there isn’t any other way to explain the dimensional difference. You can read it yourself. But as you can see, the Wylde reamers on the list have larger dimensions and more free-bore. This means that nearly any ammunition will work in it, and because of the free-bore, the Wylde can handle longer bullets without eating cup case capacity.
The technical difference between a .223 Rem and a 5.56 is the free-bore length to handle higher-pressure 5.56 loads. However, with custom reamers/chambers, free-bore can and should be tailored to the bullet. It isn’t uncommon to see bolt-action rifles with longer throats to shoot VLDs.
The problem with large, loose chambers is that it can over-work the brass. The brass is going to expand to chamber dimensions when the round is fired. This is called fire-forming. This is very undesirable for the reloader/handloader. Once the case is resized back down to spec, not only does the round fit loosely in the chamber, but it accelerates wear of the brass. Meanwhile, for a combat-type carbine, the large chamber ensures reliability with a variety of ammunition and when dirty. The longer throat reduces chamber pressure, making hotter ammunition safe.