Gunsmithing What grade of titanium for an action

[GasLight]

Ok, so wanting to do a super light build, and wondering what grade of titanium as a minimum I would need to build an action out of? The critical areas are going to be the lugs, so what do I need to get grade or quality wise that will sufice?

Thanks in advance!

Dave

 

[Chiller]

Re: What grade of titanium for an action

6/4 Titanium.....?

It is a bear to machine....

On a strength to weight, there are several steels that are great....

Just a thought.

 

[GasLight]

Re: What grade of titanium for an action

6/4? Would 6AL-4V work?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[Dans40X]

Re: What grade of titanium for an action

Purchase a 700Ti rifle & part out the unused pieces.
S&W did some nice work on the Ti actions.

 

[GasLight]

Re: What grade of titanium for an action

Dan, there is more to this project than meets the eye, so while I really do want a 700 TI action, I need to know what grade to use to make my own as well.

Thanks!

DD

 

[jasonk]

Re: What grade of titanium for an action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DANS40X</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Purchase a 700Ti rifle & part out the unused pieces.
S&W did some nice work on the Ti actions. </div></div>

+1 for Dan. Making your own action will be a painful experience in what not to do. If actions were easy the GAP, Terry Cross and everyone else would make their own.

 

[Glen Seekins]

Re: What grade of titanium for an action

6AL-4V would be my choice, but you need to make sure the heat treat is correct on what you buy. im not sure what HT it comes with. I would imagine there are a few different grades to choose from.

It machines OK if you have a ridged setup and good tools. DO NOT skimp on the tools or it will cost you in the end that's for sure.

Also, TI isn't the wonder material some think it is. Good steel is stronger and you wont save that much on just an action. You could do a aluminum action with a steel insert in front if you want to save weight. Stiller makes one that works great..

 

[GasLight]

Re: What grade of titanium for an action

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DANS40X</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Purchase a 700Ti rifle & part out the unused pieces.
S&W did some nice work on the Ti actions. </div></div>

+1 for Dan. Making your own action will be a painful experience in what not to do. If actions were easy the GAP, Terry Cross and everyone else would make their own. </div></div>

While I can agree to an extent with this, and think it is pretty solid advice, I think that if GAP and Terry Cross didn't want to specialize in making top end complete rifles, building their own actions would not be out of the question at all. I assure you it isn't because of the complexity why they don't do it, I think it has to do with more bang for the buck so to speak. You can put out more rifles if you outsource parts. I am wanting to build a one-off super lightweight rifle, and don't mind putting in the effort for a single build.

Thanks!

DD

 

[cdmurphy]

Re: What grade of titanium for an action

Dave, I would also say to use 6AL-4V, or Grade 5 titanium, but there are a few things to consider. Titanium for it's weight is much stronger than steel, but it isn't harder. Things like locking lugs are probably going to take a pounding, and may not hold up very well over time. Also it's modulus of elasticity is much lower than steel, so it will stretch more under a given load. This may cause problems in the receiver ring area, and if the barrel thread isn't very thick, may possibly cause a rupture of the rear of the chamber due to lack of support for the barrel. Due to these issues, I would personally look to use a steel insert for the receiver ring and locking lugs. And if you are going to use an insert, you would save more weight by making everything else out of say 7075 or 2024 aluminum over titanium. This would have the added benefit of being much, much easier to machine. (If you do use titanium, the important things to remember are to use only super sharp tooling, and run them slow. I wouldn't go anything over 100 SFM if you want to get any sort of life out of your tools.)

- Cameron