Differences in 416 stainless barrel steel?

[Sid Post]

I see some talk from various barrel manufacturers in the mid-range of options, let's say the ~$400 range of AR-15 options, about the actual stainless steel being better.

I know the process to make the barrel can affect the overall quality of the finished product, but what about the barrel steel itself? Most are using 416 stainless. Is the difference some barrel makers claim simply a matter of the heat treat making the RC value a bit higher for longer barrel life?

Or, is there a real difference in 416 steel itself? I am thinking about places like Shilen, Wilson Combat, Satern Liberty, and Patriot Valley options in terms of "general class". Premium options are a totally different topic and are basically double in general cost terms, but I don't see something like a Krieger, Schneider, etc. being a reasonable competitor for normal people looking at Shilen, PVA, Satern, and similar options.

I will note I have a PSA, Palmetto State Armory, upper with their stainless barrel that is a tack driver. While I haven't driven it super hard with huge round counts, it has surpassed my expectations by a wide margin. While not a KAC SR-15 LPR-level rifle with its Douglas barrel, it is close enough for most shooters.

Best Regards,
Sid

 

[supercorndogs]

Powder Valley makes ar15 barrels?

 

[Budrichard]

Stainless Steel comes from a Mill and you can get a Certificate of Material Properties but that costs extra many.
I assume most barrel makers just buy the rod material without Certs and what they do affects that in the way of treatments that affect the material properties is up to the barrel manufacturer.
Ask the barrel manufacturer what they do to the material if you want to know.
But to get Material Certs, the manufacturer would have to make Test Coupons and have them tested in a Certified Lab.
I don't think the manufacturers spend that type of money.
416 is 416, it the barrel manufacturer that's the difference.
-Richard

 

[Sid Post]

Powder Valley makes ar15 barrels?

Probably an autocorrect error ..

Prefit Barrels with Osprey blanks

patriotvalleyarms.com

 

[Mordamer]

Stainless Steel comes from a Mill and you can get a Certificate of Material Properties but that costs extra many.
I assume most barrel makers just buy the rod material without Certs and what they do affects that in the way of treatments that affect the material properties is up to the barrel manufacturer.
Ask the barrel manufacturer what they do to the material if you want to know.
But to get Material Certs, the manufacturer would have to make Test Coupons and have them tested in a Certified Lab.
I don't think the manufacturers spend that type of money.
416 is 416, it the barrel manufacturer that's the difference.
-Richard

You are thinking on too small of a scale. When you buy multiple truck loads of specialty steel a year you are going to get certs for the material showing chemical make up, heat treating process, and hardness testing. For the steel suppliers who buy millions of pounde of steel at a time they for sure have certs on file for each heat lot from the steel mills.

 

[Ronin22]

Probably an autocorrect error ..

Prefit Barrels with Osprey blanks

patriotvalleyarms.com

Those in the know know what he meant lol

 

[supercorndogs]

Patriot valley arms, auto corrected to powder valley. Must be some kind of advanced AI spell check.

Of the bunch you listed PVA would be my first choice. I would be more worried about the quality of the work and who's blank is used vs the chemical properties and heat treat of the stainless steel.

 

[Mulepackhunter]

I buy 12 inches of steel and get certs. The certs come from the foundry and I believe all US made steel is certed. The big shop I work for if materials in our building are not certed they are locked up and tagged. Our parts are worthless without certs. It’s a fun discussion but most of what you want to know is what the barrel manufacturers process is, and then it all comes down to the people touching the product and the machines. I have started a chart of inspection on any barrel I handle especially prefits, every company out there has defects and tolerance it’s all about what they let out the door. It’s not often but I have seen Proof, Criterion, Hart, and Bartlien barrels and prefits with issues I would not want to use. I’ve also seen those and off the shelf rem 700’s with near zero runnout.
Lately the best overall barrels I have seen were Bartlien 284 blanks. Crazy straight with zero deviation between lands and grooves. A 3 inch long .0004 under bore size pin slid right through and the finish with scope was amazing. I also have my personal Bartlien that is far from perfect but it shoots great so there’s that.

 

[Ronin22]

I do know a certain barrel manufacturer’s steel that’s ruined by abrasives used by fucken idiots…

 

[Sid Post]

I do know a certain barrel manufacturer’s steel that’s ruined by abrasives used by fucken idiots…

Care to explain a little more?