Barrel steel question

[Slater]

I was browsing Remington's last catalog (nostalgia, you know) and was looking at all their rifle specs. For the Model 783 line, all models barrel material is listed as "carbon steel".

The lone exception is their 783 Varmint Laminate (26 inch heavy barrel). Barrel material is listed as "A151 4137 Modified" steel. Not sure why this would be any different than all the other 783 variants. Is this essentially carbon steel?

 

[Ru4real]

Yes it’s a carbon steel that meets and ASTM spec.

Consider that guns are really an “evolved invention”. Nothing truly innovative happens much, including steels.

 

[DMW1116]

In the broad sense it's a carbon steel. It will be grouped as a low alloy steel by most steel classification systems, as it's a chrome-moly steel. 41xx named steels contain chromium and molybdenum in small amounts. This series of steels appears to be used regularly for barrels. 4137 and 4140 are basically the same steel.

 

[MachIVshooter]

In the broad sense it's a carbon steel. It will be grouped as a low alloy steel by most steel classification systems, as it's a chrome-moly steel. 41xx named steels contain chromium and molybdenum in small amounts. This series of steels appears to be used regularly for barrels. 4137 and 4140 are basically the same steel.

This is accurate.

The 4000 series CRMO steels are used for virtually all barrels that aren't stainless, save for some black powder guns. Nothing special about them, but no good reason to use anything else either.

Pay more attention to manufacturing methods and surface treatments than the specific alloy.

 

[DMW1116]

Yes, surface treatments are important. I'm a fan of nitriding myself. Of course I'm not a high volume shooter so it's unlikely I'll see any issues from even my 1979 model 336, even though it's loads of fun to shoot.

Other than chrome lining and nitriding, I'm not sure what other surface treatments are out there.

 

[Slater]

Unless you include things like Cerakote. etc.

 

[DMW1116]

Is that inside too? I thought Cerakote was for outside.

 

[Slater]

Right. Cerakote is an exterior coating. If you're talking about all possible interior and exterior treatments.

 

[DMW1116]

How good is Cerakote? I have an old rifle but I heard bluing is quite expensive.

 

[MachIVshooter]

How good is Cerakote? I have an old rifle but I heard bluing is quite expensive.

It will never look like bluing, but is an extremely durable chemical and corrosion resistant (practically proof) finish. Norrell's moly resin is another option, is what I use. Norrell's has a standing reward offer to anyone who can find a chemical that will eat the finish without also damaging the metal.