Monel Rifle Barrel

[legi0n]

if you're using monel for the barrel you have to electrically isolate it from the action.
I remember the story of a yacht with a hull made of monel that lost all of it's steel parts in a matter of weeks due to corrosion.

edit: found the story
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F7081FFC3A5C13738DDDAB0994D0405B858DF1D3

 

[coyote]

That's very interesting. Every barrel I have ever hardness tested is usually much softer. (closer to 20Rc).

I agree that every material is not suitable for rifle barrels.

I think the overwhelming theme is there is NO practical benefit to using monel for a barrel.

That seems really soft for barrel steel what method of testing did you use and what kind of barrels did you test, button barrel makers stress releive the barrels after buttoning and that will lower the hardness but 20 seems low to me but very possible.

 

[Claven2]

As stated, monel is essentially 70/30 nickel-copper alloy with some alloying trace elements. It is primarily used to line fittings in marine applications.

Don't use it for barrel making - bad idea.

 

[gagreflex]

That seems really soft for barrel steel what method of testing did you use and what kind of barrels did you test, button barrel makers stress releive the barrels after buttoning and that will lower the hardness but 20 seems low to me but very possible.

The stress relieving shouldn't significantly change the hardness. They were 4140 barrels from green mountain. I have a some new ones coming in stainless in the next few weeks, I will hardness test them when they come in and pass the info along.

BTW I'm using a starett hardness tester w/ diamond point.