Question on 416 stainless

X

x39

Joined
Dec 27, 1999
Messages
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Does anyone have any info regarding tempering temperatures and approximate Rockwell hardness yield for 416 stainless? Any help or info would be greatly appreciated
 
I,ve got some 416 too. Have been wanting to find the same info for it for some time but haven't been pressed to yet. I'll start looking. If I can't find it on the net I'll call Douglas Barrel. They use it for making stainless rifle barrels and do all their own HT and tempering. I'll be back.

Roger
 
Thanks Roger. Awesome link, all the info I needed and more. I also added your website to my favorites for future reference. I'm in the early stages of building a Mauser sporter on a Turk action, your site looks as if it will be quite helpful.
 
I don't think you can harden 416 or 303 stainless. You can check it with a magnet; if it sticks you can harden it.

Dave
 
Originally posted by ddavelarsen
I don't think you can harden 416 or 303 stainless. You can check it with a magnet; if it sticks you can harden it.

Dave
Click to expand...
Type 416 can be hardened. Check out the above link.
 
X39,

I was looking for annealing temps on that sheet but did not find any. It is the most info regarding heat treat of 416 I've found but not all I want. I'll probably call Douglas Barrel or just go over there sometime and ask the masters.

Glad you like the site. My first custom was a Argentine 93 Mauser. It shot well but I don't care much for Mauser actions before 98. The 98 is the father of all modern day bolt actions and is inherantly shooter safe from gas leakage and bolt blow back. The 93 is not but has a good reputation and is the most commonly found surplus at a beginner price.

Your Turkish, though, I would think is a 98.

Better get back to knife stuff before the moderators lose patience with me.

Roger
 
Years ago, some makers would buy already heat treated, or HT 416 themselves, saying it promoted rust resistance. I don't know whether it does or not, as it has never rusted on me either way. It's possible that you can get a slightly higher finish on it, if heat treated, but i'm not positive.
When heat treated, 416 only attains about 30-35HRC.
I believe most makers (including myself), just use it un heat treated.
Sorry, I don't have the HT specs. :eek:
 
416 is certainly heat treatable, although you cant get it real hard like the knife blade steels. Many gun bbls are made of 416.
It is very magnetic and takes a nice polish. It will rust.
 
Found these...

416:

Heat to 1800/1900F., soak 1/2 hr., air or oil quench. RC 35-39 air, RC 36-41 oil.

No temper shown, probably doesn't need one.

From an old Koval catalog.

*****************

416R, rifle barrel stock. 416 modified alloy.

Heat to 1750/1850F., air or oil quench. Air from 1825F. minimum of RC 35.

Temper 4 hr. 400-800F. Brinell of 400 to 400+ @800F. Hardness declines
800F.+ to Brinell 240 @1000F.

From Crucible steel data.

******************

Brinell 400 = RC 41
" 240 = RC 21+
 
This probably explains why I thought 416 work hardened on me - it did. I had convinced myself I was halucinating, now I'm not so sure. Maybe this is a caution, careful or it'll be easy to break bits! It does take a beautiful polish.

Dave
 
Did your specs show anything about annealing the 416???

I have a batch of heat treated 416 that is verrrrrrrry slow to machine.

Roger
 
Crucible data shows annealing temp. of 1550F. followed by a furnace cool. Better machining at semi-anneal at 1300F.

This is for 416R.
 
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