Carbon SCHMARBON, how about Titanium?

[CaptBeach]

OK...so the jury is still out on Carbon Wraps...some say that they are the next wave...some say not...

So if one was really looking to get a high end barrel...a 20'-24" stiffy in say .308, 30-06 or 300WM and really wanted to save some weight...how would titanium fot into the equation?

I KNOW its expensive..so are carbon wraps...but lets say we found a source for 1.25" barrel grade Titanium and could send it to XYZ barrel maker..., what obstacles would they say they had to overcome? Tooling? Is Ti harder/softer to machine than high end stainless? Will they need to buy new reamers? Will their rifle boring/rifling tooling suffice?

I've heard that Remington custom shop makes a Ti M700 in 30-06/7mm and 300WM but I'm specifically looking for a SAVAGE Bull/Heavy Varmint PRE-FIT Ti barrel to mate up to a rifle I have.

Discuss...

 

[CaptBeach]

OK...opened up a can of whooop *** GOOGLE FU and may have answered my own questions...

Seems McMillan make an ALL Ti rifle a few years back only to find that the rifling in the barrel was eroded by galling in less than 50 or so rounds...so Ti is not a suitable rifle material...so onwards...

So if one were a home builder and also a fairly accomplished armorer on a quest to build an extremely lightweight tactical/long range hunting rifle it seems to me that one might go as follows...

1. A very lightweight tactical stock, a Manners, a McMillan or even a B&C Tactical Medalist that has been lightened even further.

2. A Remington Ti Action

3. A carbon fiber barrel chambered in 30-06 (simply my preference)

4. Alum 20MOA mount and rings

5. Leopold or Huskemaw scope

6. CDI bottom metal AND AICS's new polycarbonate magazines...

Am I dreaming at having a VERY LONG RANGE, VERY ACCURATE PACKAGE at <7lbs?

 

[climb-101]

TI is a hard material to work with. It requires a different process to machine it and it doesnt dissipate heat very well. that is why it is very hard on tooling. Ti is also very flexable compared to steel. Ti also galls very easily as was stated above. I have messed with some TI part for drag cars and race quads and it is a very expensive and hard to use material but it is also very light, 45% lighter than steel if i remember right.

 

[CaptBeach]

Yes in hte little bit of Google Fu I've thrown around I;ve found the remarks about galling...that cancels any real barrel use unless it was simply used to sleeve a very thin steel barrel but then Carbon Fibre might be a better alternative to that...

Anyone know of a source for Remington Ti actions? Custom shop?

 

[Loner]

Titanium does not fatigue and it does not absorb shock, it transfers it to your shoulder or
the other parts of the gun. When it fails it's catastrophic. Not a good choice of materials.
McMillan dropped their lightweight stocks. I have no idea why, my 700 stw mountain rifle is under 5.75 lbs. Shoots 3/4 moa and better. Drop the lbs. off your waist, the guns are
light enough. And ti is very hard on tooling, it's tough abrasive metal. Fairly soft at about
45 rockwell being as as hard as it gets.

 

[sp6x6]

My 338 Norma is 7-2oz bare, w/26'' braked barrel, 8-12 scope,sling,ACI, LEVEL.It has a ABS barrel. Look up Proof Research or Jenseprecision, they are building a 25,000 sg. ft shop near me. Defiance machine makes a light ''SHEEP HUNTER" ACTION

 

[Dr. Vette]

Yes in hte little bit of Google Fu I've thrown around I;ve found the remarks about galling...that cancels any real barrel use unless it was simply used to sleeve a very thin steel barrel but then Carbon Fibre might be a better alternative to that...

Anyone know of a source for Remington Ti actions? Custom shop?

There is now an aftermarket Ti action as Remington stopped making them.
X-Treme Shooting - Titanium Receivers