Type of steel for barrel blank

[Eterry]

My friend still had the rifling machine with the gain twist, but some thieves stole his barrel blanks from his shop! I'm considering getting some round stock and going from there. What kind of steel are most M/L barrels made from? A welder friend suggested 4140, but he's no firearms expert. I've read where 1137 and 12L14 are used, I think the 12L14 has lead and is too soft for my thinking.

Thoughts?

Eterry

 

[Rifleman1776]

Old-old subject. Others will chime in, fer sure.
But, the 12L14 is what Douglas used for decades and some well known makers still use. There are gazzilions of barrels out there made from 12L14.

 

[jdkerstetter]

If your friend is doing the work I would ask him what his preference is. Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Cknerr]

The lead content in 12L14 makes it easier to machine. 4140 might be a little hard to work with, 4130 is a little easier and cheaper to get -at the moment. I used 4130 to make my barrels out of (back when I made them). Still have a bunch of pistol blanks that my grand kids will likely inherit. Gogglele or Bing those numbers and see what you get. Plenty of sites have info on them.

btw, none are considered stainless steel.

Chris

 

[Birddog6]

Depending on how much of it you want to do, :idunno: you could possibly buy a barrel blank, bore & rifle it. Call Jason @ Rice Barrel Co. and ask him if you can buy just a blank.
Or you could buy a smoothbore barrel & rifle it. Tip Curtis had some octagon Green Mountain smoothbore barrels at one time & they are 1137 steel. You might give him a call. 615-654-4445. Or he might tell you where you can buy a blank to make a barrel.

Or call Bobby Hoyt or Charles Burton or another barrel maker & see if one of them has a blank they will sell, or tell you where to get one.

Keith Lisle