New barrel steel from Bartlein

A

Alpheus

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
168   0   0
Location
Ottawa
From their FB.

Bartlein Barrels is pleased to announce the release of a new barrel material. Working with the mill and testing different types of material and tweaking the material over the last few years and with testing having been performed by ammunition makers we now have a different grade of material that we have had made and is proprietary to us.

The material has been proven in lab testing and in outside real world testing to provide a barrel life that is 1.5 to 2 times longer than the standard 416 grade of material.

We are calling the material 400MODBB. Pricing for this barrel material in standard diameters/contours etc...will be $555.

As always there are a list of things that effect barrel life and we cannot guarantee everything a 100% but for an example as I know it will be asked....in 6.5CM ammunition pressure test barrels are normally pulled from service at around 1700 rounds. The new material doing the same type of ammunition test work the barrel was pulled from service after it had 3500 rounds on it. We've had several 6mm's in calibers that the barrel normally is pulled around 1500 rounds go 3000 rounds.

We and or the customers that have done the threading and chamber work have had no issues with machining. I will say your reamers will not last as long but nothing that would really concern me. It does machine a little different but it's not horrible to work with.
Click to expand...

Interesting, to say the least. I've had two Bartlein barrels and they both were excellent shooters. Any dealers going to bring some of these in?
 
If you get twice the barrel life for 25% more $$, then you actually come out ahead. Not to mention less cost to chamber and thread the replacement barrel.
 
Alpheus said:
If you get twice the barrel life for 25% more $$, then you actually come out ahead. Not to mention less cost to chamber and thread the replacement barrel.
Click to expand...

Exactly that. Plus if the barrel's speed is consistent through that added lifespan, that makes the life of a 6mm shooter that much better. I'm curious to see some real world results from these barrels. I've had one Bartlein (a .223 spun up by Insite) and it was a hammer till about 7600rds (reliably sub-1/2moa) at which point it started leaking out a flyer here and there but groups were still sub-moa even with the flyer.
 
Alpheus said:
From their FB.



Interesting, to say the least. I've had two Bartlein barrels and they both were excellent shooters. Any dealers going to bring some of these in?
Click to expand...

Send Hirsch Precision an email. They are great to deal with

I just put a Bartlein order in not long ago
 
Last edited:
Good to see steel options beyond the usual 32 HRC 416, 4140, and 4150. It could just be a harder heat treat for a 416-type steel if Bartlein has set up their process for it. With some added molybdenum for the MO in the name. Regular 416 can have some molybdenum but it isn't required. Bartlein does cut-rifling so they're not as limited in steel hardness like a button rifling process.

I'm sure someone will take a sample to metallurgy lab at some point in the near future :). But a customer could (and will) easily check the hardness with shop equipment.
 
rifleman762 said:
Good to see steel options beyond the usual 32 HRC 416, 4140, and 4150. It could just be a harder heat treat for a 416-type steel if Bartlein has set up their process for it. With some added molybdenum for the MO in the name. Regular 416 can have some molybdenum but it isn't required. Bartlein does cut-rifling so they're not as limited in steel hardness like a button rifling process.

I'm sure someone will take a sample to metallurgy lab at some point in the near future :). But a customer could (and will) easily check the hardness with shop equipment.
Click to expand...


The purity of the steel plays a major role. For example, Aubeert and Duval has different grades of steel. The "cleaner" the steel the better the mechanical properties but the price also shoots up, because it needs better smelting technology.

It is a bit of finding someone who is willing to provide and at a quantity one can digest. Guys like HK make their steel purchase in a big lot because they want a certain grade.
 
I'd be cool with something in that steel with hammer forged rifling then nitrided. Would last most people forever lol.
 
I'm thinking that these barrels would be perfect for the barrel "burners". Alot of people seem to shy away from cartridges with 800-1200 round barrel lives. The potential for 1500-2000+ accurate rounds through a fast twist 22-250, 26 Nosler, STW/ultra mags etc would loosen purse strings. And could lead to other hot wildcats becoming mainstream and supported.
 
You might want to confer with your barrel fitter on these barrels before you commit.
He may have something to say about machineability and reamer wear and barrel fitting prices to reflect that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom