ntsqd
Well-Known Member
I wonder what kind of accuracy the GAU-8 cast stellite barrels can claim? Maybe that's the way to go.......
I use Bartlein barrels almost exclusively for LR competition barrels and go through 2-3 per year. I think this new steel will certainly be a cost saver for those who run enough rounds to burn out a barrel in a year or two (or less). I think competition shooters and high volume varmint shooters will be the main civilian benefactors. I usually pay $375-415 for my blanks (special pricing at national events can be as low as $300 pre-order...thank you Bartlein) so if I can get twice the round count at a bit less than twice the price it is a money saver.
I certainly hope someone at Bartlein doesn't read your comment, as I would rather see the price dropped than raised 3x higher!I think I would pay double the price for double the life......I might even pay closer to 3x the price. When you figure-in the down time + the gunsmith fees to chamber + time/money/effort for break-in and/or load development, it's easily worth it in my mind.
Proprietary and the heat (or batch) was specified by and for Bartlein. Frank Green said they have been working on this for a year and a half to make sure it was performing as expected. Keep in mind that the civilian market is not the only market that Bartlein makes barrels for. In certain markets barrels that can take sustained fire much better than current steel could be very strategic and save lives. I doubt that much will be divulged of the formulation.WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS NEW MYSTERY STEEL?
For the sake of conversation, I am not in the camp where I would pay 3X. Yes, there are times when paying more for extended life would simplify the crap out of things. But for me, there are times when I don't want the life, as in I don't want that chambering, it is doing nothing for me and good barrel life prolongs the agony.I think I would pay double the price for double the life......I might even pay closer to 3x the price. When you figure-in the down time + the gunsmith fees to chamber + time/money/effort for break-in and/or load development, it's easily worth it in my mind.
I certainly hope someone at Bartlein doesn't read your comment, as I would rather see the price dropped than raised 3x higher!