What steels are used for gun barrels these days?

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AmadeusM

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I am curious, do any of the tool or stainless steels we read about on BF end up in gun barrels, or are those whole different animals?

Thanks.
 
No blade steels. Gun barrels are generally made with chrome moly steel, 4140-4150 etc. Receiver parts are also. They require high strength, but not high hardness so its not worth the hassle or expense of dealing with tool steels. In alot of cases, the steel is heat treated(RC in the mid 40's IIRC) before it is machined. That way it can be brought to final tolderances the first time.

Stainless barrels are usually made with 416SS as far as I know, maybe 420 also. We use that for fittings quite a bit on knives, but its not suitable for blades.
 
4140, 4150,416, 17-4PH .The last two are stainless steel. The first two make good 'hawks and hammers. None are suitable for knives.
 
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