Salt-Bath Nitriding for Barrels — Whidden is Impressed
Many shooters expend considerable time and effort to coat their bullets with friction-reducing compounds such as Boron Nitride (HBN), Molybdenum Disulfide (Moly), and Tungsten Disulfide (WS2 or ‘Danzac’). Many of these same shooters believe that coated bullets permit longer strings of fire between barrel cleanings. Also, there is some evidence that coated bullets may extend barrel life (though this remains controversial).
What if you could enjoy all the benefits of coated bullets without the effort? When you think about it, why not apply the anti-friction coating to the barrel itself, rather than the bullets? That is the thinking behind salt-bath nitriding of barrels. This nitriding process creates a very slick, very hard surface coating on the steel in the bore. The coating is only 10-20 microns thick (so it doesn’t cause pressure problems). But that coating is enough to reduce friction, and just possibly, extend useful barrel life.
John Whidden, Camp Perry Long-Range National Champion in 2007, 2008, and 2010, recently had one of his Broughton 6mm match barrels nitrided by Joel Kendrick. Joel does the salt-bath nitriding for MMI TruTec. Whidden reports he “is happy as he can be with the barrel” after the nitriding process. After nitriding, the stainless Broughton 5C barrel was “every bit as accurate as before, and noticeably easier to clean”, according to John. Also, John reports that he did NOT have to change his load after the barrel was nitrided (which left it with a handsome black, semigloss finish). Whidden says, “after cleaning, the barrel takes about 3-4 rounds to settle in… that’s the same as before.” This barrel shot very well before nitriding, and after nitriding, John used it successfully at Camp Perry in the 2009 Wimbleton Cup competition.
Overall, John tells us “Everything looks good. No accuracy loss, and easier cleaning.” He is pleased enough that he has sent more barrels to Joel Kendrick for nitride processing. John also said that he’s heard that nitrided barrels in some of the big caliber rifles, such as the .338 Lapua Magnum, are showing “significantly enhanced” barrel life.
To learn more about salt-bath nitriding for barrels, or to place a processing order with MMI-TruTec, email joelkndrck [at] aol.com, or call Joel at (704) 616-6442. Joel, a past 600-yard Shooter of the Year, is very knowledgeable about both shooting and the nitriding process. He can give you well-informed answers to your questions. Price for nitriding depends on quantity — call Joel for pricing details.
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Ernie Stallman at Badger Barrels has been a proponent of barrel nitriding for over twenty years. Maybe Ernie was just ahead of the curve.
Is this the same process used to make the “Black Star” barrels of the past?
Is it possible to re-chamber or re-machine the barrel after this process?
To my knowledge this is not the same process used by Black Star. After processing it will not be feasible to re-machine since it will be case hardened.
In Europe they have been Salt Bath Nitriding firearms conponents since the early 1900s.
If you need additonal information feel free contact me by e-mail or cell to discuss.
Regards,
Joel Kendrick
Interesting and puzzling. I have a nitrided crankshaft in my ’68 Plymouth Barracuda. What puzzles me is that the crankshaft grew very slightly during the nitriding process. I have no idea of the process used however. The crankshaft grew approximately 0.010″.
We are talking about completely different materials and grain structures of a crankshaft compared to 416SS and also the case depth of the nitrided layer of the crankshaft is not comparable to that of processed 416 SS or 4140 barrel.
If you would like other information please feel free to e-mail me joelkndrck@aol.com
I am interested. But I need some answers to these questions:
1. Nitriding process can be used for non-stainless steels too or only for stainless steels ?
2. Can be treated the actions, bolts, breech of shotguns and shotgun barrels ?
3. what are the prices for a pair of action-barrel /
Any updates to this article?
Nitriding is not a coating. Its a treatment. It penetrates the steel, making it harder; doesn’t plate over it.
I am impressed that John said he didn’t notice any accuracy loss from the nitriding of his barrel. I would imagine that he simply coated the outside of the barrel. It is hard for me to imagine that the inside would allow for any coating. He also said that it made it easier to clean. I’m sure this is desirable for any sportsman.
@Trayson
Nitriding is not a coating, it will not affect the dimensions of the bore. The bore will be exactly as it was before nitriding, just harder and more lubricious. Nitriding changes the metals surface at the molecular level.