What are the opinions of having a barrel sent to get nitride treatment?

[Ghilly]

I have read lots of stuff about nitriding and lots of new AR barrels are coming in nitride or melonite which is all salt bath nitrite treatment. Unlike the chrome lining this goes into the metal not a coating. So does anyone have any experience or better info on this for a long range rifle? The barrels on my desert tech rifles are not cheap so it would be nice to extend the barrel life as long as it does not kill my accuracy.

Thanks,
Ghilly

 

[Ghilly]

Has anyone done this?

 

[XLR308]

Never sent one off but I have bought barrels that have been nitride.
The one I shoot the most is an ARP 68spc, it shoots great and seems to be at its best when pushed hard.
I only have about 400 rounds on so when I get to about 8000 I will let you know how it's weathering. ???

 

[Ghilly]

Well its a start hahahah. I have wanted to send off my DT barrels but cannot find anyone who has done it.

 

[AIAW]

I present, this thread: https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/thinking-of-nitriding-new-barrel.6915689/

Leaves me sort of feeling "ehhh" about it. Maybe for an AR barrel. Precision bolt gun, maybe. I'd really have to be convinced that I would get some considerable additional life expactancy out of it.

 

[Ghilly]

i dont think it adds any accuracy but is supposed to maybe add a little velocity. The big gain it is supposed to do is basically double the barrel life on a very expensive barrel

 

[awpk03s]

www.blacknitride.com by H&M does this. Haven’t used them myself as a consumer, but have ready good things, and I’ve used BCGs done by them (Rubber City Armory).

 

[Ghilly]

thanks for the link! I will check them out then do some research on them.

Thanks,
Ghilly

 

[XLR308]

thanks for the link! I will check them out then do some research on them.

Thanks,
Ghilly

That's who Kelblys uses for thier Atlas Tac actions and pretty sure they do the barrels on the Nyx rifles to.
Ian Kelbly is a member here he would be an excellent source to ask about nitride barrels.

 

[PDXGS]

I've sent 5 barrels to H&M with great results. Call them. It's worth the time and trouble.

 

[264win]

To the OP,
I have had and observed very mixed results.
I know very few reputable smiths who offer/recommend this treatment.
When it works properly it is great, but there seems to be some trouble in getting consistently good results.

Personally I avoid it

 

[264win]

The above post is not aimed at Kelby in any way. They make great actions and rifles.

 

[bourbonbent]

Call around, you’ll find not many folks will recommend it, if you find any that will.

Start with Bartlein, they’ll tell you everything you need to know about it.

Short answer is no, I wouldn’t. I did QPQ my Badger M2013, but I will not be doing any barrels with salt bath nitriding of any sort.

 

[PDXGS]

The barrels I've sent in to H&M have been fitted and have had 50+ rounds through them and then thoroughly cleaned.
In my experience they survived high round count better than barrels from the same lot that hadn't been treated.
Throat erosion generally killed every barrel....just at different rates.