Carbon .50% to .60%
Manganese 1.35% to 1.65%
Silicon .10% to .15%
Resulphurized .04% to .09%
Phosphorus not over .045%
You will notice that most of the steels were very similar in composition, and you will also notice as we go
along that all the steels that are used in barrel making is all about the same, except the trade names
tacked to them to give the shooter the idea it is something special. All steels today are manufactured
under SAE or WD numbers. The SAE numbers refer to standard specifications issued by the Society of
Automotive Engineers and publish in the SAE Hand book.
What does this tell you? It simply states that when a barrel maker wants steel for rifle barrels, he picks
up a phone book and orders the type of steel that meets the requirements for a rifle barrel. If he buys
standard steel such as Stress Proof, 1350, 4140, 4142, or 4150, it won't make much difference, which
steel company he buys it from as it is regulated by the SAE.
It might have a different trade name, but it will be the same as the other steel manufactures. Steels and
Irons To help you understand steels better I will use the following information on how steel is graded.
Steels may be classified into five categories,
- Carbon,
- Alloy,
- High Strength,
- Low Alloy,
- Tool Steel
As we are dealing with rifle barrels, I will cover items 2 and 4.
ALLOY STEELS
13xx Indicates Manganese steel