Barrel Question

[AvsFan]

Gent's,

Probably a dumb question, but, I use to wrench and rebuid engines in my late teens and early twenties. I started thinking, can a barrel warp (like a camshaft or, crankshaft) if you store the a rifle laying down for an extended period of time?

I've always had my rifles stored standing up on the butt end so, I'm not concerned. But, I stated to wonder if the metallurgy of a barrel could influence warping over time?

AvsFan

 

[Ledzep]

Creep would be the term. Typically doesn't happen until you get above about a third of the melting temperature (absolute scale). It may happen at room temp, but it's dependent on the steel used, the geometry of the barrel (length vs. dia)... Not likely to have a noticeable effect for several decades would be my guess, if not centuries.

Now get them hot (Think machinegun) and they will droop within a time period that is alarming.

 

[AvsFan]

Creep would be the term. Typically doesn't happen until you get above about a third of the melting temperature (absolute scale). It may happen at room temp, but it's dependent on the steel used, the geometry of the barrel (length vs. dia)... Not likely to have a noticeable effect for several decades would be my guess, if not centuries.

Now get them hot (Think machinegun) and they will droop within a time period that is alarming.

Thank you for the education & feedback!