Melonite barrel treatment

[elkaholic]

I am in the process of putting together a build and I have a BAT melonite treated action. I am very seriously considering the same treatment on my new Krieger barrel.
Has anyone had this done or have any hard facts pro or con? I spoke with Joel Kendrick, whom I understand is the best guy to have do it. I am hearing some phenominal barrel life reports as well as velocity increases with no downside. What do you guys think?.....rich

 

[bigngreen]

When did you talk to Joel last? Things went crazy this summer with MMI but I found an other contact but by the time I made him out it was to late to get my barrel done before hunting season.

 

[elkaholic]

When did you talk to Joel last? Things went crazy this summer with MMI but I found an other contact but by the time I made him out it was to late to get my barrel done before hunting season.

Spoke with him today! I also spoke to Mike at Krieger and he seemed to think if it was done by someone who knew what they were doing, it was a good idea......rich

 

[bigngreen]

That's good to hear, a lot of guys got thrown under the bus this summer. I had a barrel out for 6 months and ended up with it returned without nitride and a large BS story from someone!!!

I may send a couple barrels out if you have good luck, I'll chamber up a flame thrower!!! MMI seems to be the best source, there was a thread on LRH by someone who had great luck and he also had a break in process for it, man I wanted my last barrel nitrided!!!!

 

[elkaholic]

That's good to hear, a lot of guys got thrown under the bus this summer. I had a barrel out for 6 months and ended up with it returned without nitride and a large BS story from someone!!!

I may send a couple barrels out if you have good luck, I'll chamber up a flame thrower!!! MMI seems to be the best source, there was a thread on LRH by someone who had great luck and he also had a break in process for it, man I wanted my last barrel nitrided!!!!

Rhian...Joel told me he could turn it around in a week!.....Rich

 

[theflyonthewall]

There's a thread in the Gunsmithing section here, that I started the other day on nitriding and various other potential throat/barrel treatments. In that thread, I posted a video of Joel at a SHOT show talking about salt-bath nitriding and it's effects.

There's also a link to a study that was done in Korea on rifle barrel treatments for their military's small arms to increase longevity. It's a good read also.

 

[Pdvdh]

An informative article including information from Joel Kendrick. Article dated 2009.
Melonite Surface Treatment for Barrels, Bolts, and Actions « Daily Bulletin

Sounds like a CM barrel with the melonite treatment will be very corrosion resistant. No bluing or any other surface treatment required.

Interesting that Joel states that a stainless barrel may actually be a little less corrosion resistant after the melonite treatment.

One more article:
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/09/salt-bath-nitriding-for-barrels-whidden-is-impressed/

 

[elkaholic]

An informative article including information from Joel Kendrick. Article dated 2009.
Melonite Surface Treatment for Barrels, Bolts, and Actions « Daily Bulletin

Sounds like a CM barrel with the melonite treatment will be very corrosion resistant. No bluing or any other surface treatment required.

Interesting that Joel states that a stainless barrel may actually be a little less corrosion resistant after the melonite treatment.

One more article:
Salt-Bath Nitriding for Barrels — Whidden is Impressed « Daily Bulletin

That is interesting on the CM barrel. I'm not exactly sure whether he meant the SS was already so resistant that it didn't help much or ?? The BAT guys tell me that the Melonite is also more durable than bluing.......Rich

 

[meatyrem]

This is an inside barrel treatment? It seems somewhat similar to Gun Juice, or is it not the same idea?

 

[Loner]

This is an inside barrel treatment? It seems somewhat similar to Gun Juice, or is it not the same idea?

Look at a glock, inside and out. It's an old process glock brought to the gun world.

 

[Pdvdh]

This is an inside barrel treatment? It seems somewhat similar to Gun Juice, or is it not the same idea?

Nothing at all like Gun Juice. It's a process for surface-hardening barrels and other gun parts. The main advantage of Melonite barrel treatment is that it reduces friction in the bore and lessens bore surface wear, potentially extending barrel life. Melonite-treatment of a bore creates a new compound layer in the top 10-20 microns of the surface, creating a very hard, slick surface. The entire barrel is treated - inside and outside. It doesn't build up any coating on the barrel or change the dimensions of the barrel. Simply hardens the surface of the steel.

I'm considering purchasing a CM barrel and then after break-in, having it melonite treated. No bluing. The melonite treatment will protect the bare steel better than bluing, as I understand it. Melonite processing is also referred to as Nitride treatment. Melonite Processing : Salt™ Bath Nitriding System

Open the 1st link in my prior Post for a better explanation and understanding.

Here's another informative link: Melonite Processing

 

[elkaholic]

Man, does it make for a silky smooth action!.......Rich

 

[Broz]

I have been trying to get one done too. I finally gave up and assembled the rifle. I could have gotten the same story as BnG.

Here is one of the things that was bothering me about this process. Back when I was racing cars we used this on some parts to extemd their life. It worked ! But once it was done it was a very hard and stable surface. I really think t would be the cats meow to break in the barrel , clean thoroughly, then have the entire action done.

I do believe the action would be smoother than silk and some velocity would be gained. If the barrel was broken in first you would have a pretty good idea of how much velocity it added.

Jeff

 

[Browninglover1]

Have any of you guys tried "Houston Plating" for your melonite treatment? They do a bunch of melonite for the machine shop I work in and I asked them if they ever have done rifle barrels and they told me they do quite a few of them. It usually takes a 2 to 3 weeks to get parts turnaround including shipping. Might be something you guys want to look into and let me know what you find out.