I am glad you agree with yourself. What I pointed out that they did NOT heat treat AFTER machining as you claimed. You can not believe that if you want. Since you haven't made a barrel I don't know if that means anything. And no, not all specific steels are the same. The mfg process is not perfect and one batch may be a bit off from the next. That's why a mfg has to test each batch they receive to make sure it is meeting their specific requirements. You might be surprised at how often that happens. Doesn't even count if the barrel maker decides to order something slightly different that the 'standard' steels or a different heat treat. At one time some of the barrel makers were ordering steel that had been through a cryogenic treatment.
Just for grins I did some work for you. Checked the IBS match results for this year and equipment used. These numbers are not exact since it depends on which match but across several the balance was about the same. I did not sort by how each placed in the respective matches.
100/200yd Kreiger was favored the most, about 30%, Hart was next 20%, Bartlein 10%, others (Lederer, Brux, etc)
600yd Kreiger 40%, Bartlein and HH were both 20%, then Brux, Broughton, Lederer, and, yes, a Shilen (that shooter placed in the 5th and 6th place a few times).
1000yd Kreiger and Bartlein basically split with a few Brux and some others sprinkled in there, including at least one made by the shooter. The data on 1000yd was not conclusive since only a couple matches listed equipment.
But, when I looked at the cast bullet assn match results it was a bit different (CBA matches are 100 and 200yd). I was specifically looking at 30BR equipment (it is very popular, about 90% of the shooters use it). Lilja was 13, Krieger 2, Hart 4, McGowan 2, Lederer 1, Shilen 3, McMillan 1, Borden 1, Broughton 1
This is just an idea about how the distribution of barrel mfgs is across only these disciplines. I did not look at PRS or other long range events. And, this is not exact. I did not try to sort out people who shot at more than one range. Just a WAG kinda thing.
PS just go to the barrel mfg web sites and read how they make barrels. Don't take my word for it. Do some research on it.
From Bartlein:
Each type of steel has strengths and weaknesses.
-C.M. must be used for some of the lighter contours of barrels. C.M is also needed for customers wanting to "blue" the steel. C.M. is more likely to rust if not properly cleaned and stored.
-Our standard stainless steel covers 95% of the barrels that we run. It is the most widely used material for target and hunting purposes. It is possible to rust if not properly cleaned and stored but far less likely than C.M.
-Mod400 is a Bartlein Barrel exclusive and was designed to achieve longer barrel life. Mod400 is still a 400 series stainless so no new tooling or machine speeds are needed.
Note that their CM steel is 4140 and stainless is 416R along with their Mod400.
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Too funny.
Originally Posted by Dave Hoback
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