What Type ( 416, 416 R, etc. ) of Stainless Steel Does Savage Currently Use for Barrels?

[Turkeytider]

I did a search and the most current comments I found were from 2016. Things may have changed since then. Thanks.

[celltech]

I would think all modern SS barrels are 416R to deal with cold weather...

[ninner]

It would be cool to sample a piece with a PMI gun to see what it really is. Anyone have a sample after a barrel trim.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CFJunkie]

Since 416R tends to be a premium SS and most manufacturers who are suppling it, make lots of noise about using it. It is a great selling feature.
I doubt Savage is using 416R because none of their ads say a word about what SS they are using.
If they were using 416R, they would be bragging about it too.
I suspect their SS is 4140 or 4150, not 416R.
If they are using 416R, I would fire everyone in their advertising department for not using it as a selling feature.

Actually, 4150 was the 'go to' SS before 416R became popular, so I don't think having a 4150 barrel would be all that of a detriment.
Lots of ARs had 4150 SS barrels.

[Turkeytider]

I went ahead and sent a query to Savage . They said 416. Didn`t specify 416 R.

[hickerx2]

Actually, 4150 was the 'go to' SS before 416R became popular, so I don't think having a 4150 barrel would be all that of a detriment.
Lots of ARs had 4150 SS barrels.

4140 and 4150 are chrome/moly carbon steel alloys, not stainless. 416R is barrel-specific stainless and is the only suitable stainless alloy for barrel making.

[Dave Hoback]

I was gonna say the same thing. CFjunkie... sorry, but hickorx2 is correct. Who told you 4140/4150 was Stainless? It's Chrome-moly(4140), and a Chrome-moly with a touch of Vanadium in 4150. Yes, 4150 is poar for AR15 barrels...as is 416R STAINLESS, like the barrel I'm currently using.

[CFJunkie]

Dave and hickerx2

I stand corrected and appreciate the information. I also didn't realize the nuance of Chrom-moly and Chrome-moly vanadium.
It explains why in calculating exit time for a barrel, the reflection velocity of 4150 is listed at 19,969 fps and 416R is listed at 20,014 fps.
Never could understand why the velocity was a bit slower for 4140 and 4150 when the materials handbook says generic SS has a velocity of 20,000 fps.
Now I know.
By the way, if you are calculating exit time, the standard .3% carbon steel Savage barrels have a reflection velocity or 19,107 fps.

[Dave Hoback]

4140 is the old standby for barrel steel. It’s been used for many, many decades! 4150 was picked up after the BOOM of AR enthusiasts came on the scene. I was among the first; building AR’s right after the Clinton AWB expired in 2004. There were only a few AR barrel makers then... and the barrels were all 4140, either Chrome lined or not. As the years went on, the amount of Barrel makers BLEW UP! A result of course, of the masses of people flocking to build an AR. It was around 2008...2009, I started noticing more 4150-V on the scene. And of course Nitriding & Nitrocarburizing became the thing. I honestly believe from the researching over the years, it was a cost factor for the switch to 4150.

[charlie b]

I just know that when my father-in-law priced some 4140 to make a receiver (he was a master machinist) he decided it would be not much more expensive to just buy an action. :)

[Dave Hoback]

He likely had to purchase at least a yard of material. It's similar for my custom Knifemaking. I make all my knives from VERY high priced, SUPER Steel. Crucible CPM3V & CPM20CV. These are CPM steels(Crucible Particulate Metal, also called Powder Steels). They are super high alloy/high speed steels that make 4140, and 416R look like Bisquick Batter, LOL! But it's the same when I'm grabbed my steel. Couple places I can get maybe a Foot or so, but most places it's sold by the yard.(36"-38"). And for what it is, yeah...4140 is actually pretty expensive. I was looking for some awhile ago for a project. But just ended up doing 1018 Cold Roll.