STainless steel and cold weather

[308reloaded]

I was just doing a search for a barrel for my build and on one of the site;s I read that you should not be shooting SS in cold weather  because it will cause stress cracks , is this true. most of the DPMS barrels are SS, how much of a problem is this really.

[Matt.Cross]

I would strongly disagree. Granted, I don't shoot much submerged in a supercooled liquid nitrogen bath while in a vacuum, but I'm pretty sure that there isn't much short of that capable of stress-cracking a well-made SS barrel. In all seriousness, if I didn't have confidence I could fire my rifle safely at -20F, I wouldn't fire it under ANY circumstances. In terms of how much of a problem it is, I don't know statistics, but I haven't personally ever heard of ANY SS barrel stress-cracking for any reason besides complete obstruction of the bore.

[imschur]

The barrel manufacturers dont even agree with each other on this subject.

Lilja states it's ok and I believe AI's AW rifles utilize stainless..

Q. Can stainless steel barrels be safely fired in sub zero temperatures? Yes they certainly can be. There is a myth going around that stainless steel alloys used in rifle barrels loose their strength in sub zero temperatures. There is no truth to that. We have made many thousands of barrels that have been fired safely in below zero temperatures as have all of the other custom barrel makers as well as the major arms manufacturers. This is an urban legend that should be chilled

[308reloaded]

here is the link where I read about stainless barrels..

http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/RapidCat/catalog/pagetemplate.cfm?template=/RapidCat/common/viewPage.cfm&PageId=3390&CompanyId=1246

it is at the bottom of the page I think they are well know barrel manufacture

[imschur]

Stainless Steel is too generic a reference. I would say consult with whoever is manufacturing the barrel you are interested in. Only they know the particular alloy being used in their barrels, they will also be the one honoring a warranty should something go wrong.

I would also wonder if some of the cold weather failures aren't due to a barrel full of ice.

When you are talking temps well below zero there are other issues to be concerned with as well. Things like the action freezing, the effect of the temp on your load and other parts failing.

all jmho

[SARDUDE]

Hmmm....

Never had an issue with stainless steel in sub zero temps.

I do know you should never lick stainless steel in zub zero temps!!! ;D ;D

[awesymoto]

ummm... im from MN where hunting season is in the winter. I have taken and fired my rifle many times with a SS barrel in the winter. As have many hunters here up north, with to my knowledge zero issues. If AI uses SS then its good to go in my books, considering the AI AW is meant for arctic conditions. Remember if your in extreme cold, use LAW not CLP!