Defiance Ti-X

[Phil Rizzo]

Ti action/28" Brux =3150fps max with so-so precision

SS action/28" Brux=3350fps max with much improved precision

Pressure signs readily apparent at 3150 with Ti action.
Pressure signs not visible but had to be close at 3350 with SS action.

The same S/N barrel, 2 different actions.
Very different results.

If I ran mild loads, gave a flip about brass life or was into powder conservation and barrel life, it would've been easy to just shoot it at 2950 to 3050 and say oh well.
I did in fact build this gun for 153's at 3200fps. Now the 144's may prevent me from even trying them, running so tight at 3300!
26 Noz type velocity in a 76gr case!

 

[LongBomber]

I don't think the action being ti is the issue for speed. I have 3 different ti actions and all 3 live up to the cartridges standard speeds. I have a 260ai in a rem ti action thats at about 1800 rounds, it matches a 6.5prc very closely for speeds. Launched a 129lrab at 3440 from a ti actioned 26N into a deer today, its on it's second barrel, different brands but similar speeds possible.

If you took the same barrel and went action to action without touching the chamber then you could draw a comparison, but different barrel on a different action is hard to have a factual comparison.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

I can't clarify the statement "same S/N barrel, 2 different actions"

Same reamer. There is no way in hell the action wasn't at least partly responsible for a 150-200fps increase! Come on guys. I'm going to find my notes but we are talking multiple grains of powder increase here. That size velocity gain is major.

Same brass, bullet lot, powder keg etc.

 

[LTH181818]

I think the frame work around the bolt is giving in to pressure, allowing movement that shouldn't occur. What exactly is that movement? Not sure.
I run loads warm, though.

If it wasn't for my pal in Glendale having compared about 4 makes of Ti vs SS, I'd have more questions than I do. Like him, I'll never buy another, it costs me more money for less performance. Lesson learned.

I'm sure he would explain if we asked...his insight will be more descriptive than mine.

I would like you to ask him to explain.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

I've put in a request!

 

[LTH181818]

I've put in a request!

 

[LTH181818]

When he does, it would be great if any of the manufacturers engineers would respond. I have three TI actions, one of them is one is on the second barrel. I am interested in what he says and the engineers response.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

When he does, it would be great if any of the manufacturers engineers would respond. I have three TI actions, one of them is one is on the second barrel. I am interested in what he says and the engineers response.

I'll be all ears, but in the meantime I only have personal experience and that of a trusted other to go on. I am not saying they ALL will be an issue. But it's more likely if the pressure comes early which one is in use, from what we've seen.

Kinda reminds me of CFW barrels vs SS.
They can shoot every bit as good, fast etc. But the problems with CFW as a percentage are exponentially higher. Tight spots, loose wrap, won't shoot, etc.

Is it worth a few ounces? To some it is.

 

[akmtnhnt]

I'll be all ears, but in the meantime I only have personal experience and that of a trusted other to go on. I am not saying they ALL will be an issue. But it's more likely if the pressure comes early which one is in use, from what we've seen.

Kinda reminds me of CFW barrels vs SS.
They can shoot every bit as good, fast etc. But the problems with CFW as a percentage are exponentially higher. Tight spots, loose wrap, won't shoot, etc.

Is it worth a few ounces? To some it is.

The funny thing about carbon barrels is they're not actually lighter than an appropriately contoured hunting rifle barrel if you actually care about ounces. They're heavier.
And if you don't care about ounces the thick steel barrels are far cheaper.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

The funny thing about carbon barrels is they're not actually lighter than an appropriately contoured hunting rifle barrel if you actually care about ounces. They're heavier.
And if you don't care about ounces the thick steel barrels are far cheaper.

I don't own one, personally.
Brux SS serves me VERY well though.
And Krieger. I can name some others that did NOT.

 

[6.5saum/300rum]

I'll be all ears, but in the meantime I only have personal experience and that of a trusted other to go on. I am not saying they ALL will be an issue. But it's more likely if the pressure comes early which one is in use, from what we've seen.

Kinda reminds me of CFW barrels vs SS.
They can shoot every bit as good, fast etc. But the problems with CFW as a percentage are exponentially higher. Tight spots, loose wrap, won't shoot, etc.

Is it worth a few ounces? To some it is.

The only reason I own any carbon barrels was because of convenience. They seem to be the only barrels in stock and the only stocks that are available have the inlet for them. I've had good success with them in my builds but my favorite barrels are benchmark and brux ss #3-#5 contours depending on caliber.

I've had one titanium action and didn't care for it because of the hard bolt lift on a fired round. No matter how I loaded it, it felt like it had pressure when I was opening the bolt.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

Plenty people never have an issue with CFW or Ti.
50/50 odds have plastered me for 50 years

 

[DirtNap35]

This is very interesting. I was looking at the Ti-X especially with 75 bolt, now I'm not sure. I typically run on the hot side of loads so TI might not be the best.

 

[Nevrsummr]

I'll be all ears, but in the meantime I only have personal experience and that of a trusted other to go on. I am not saying they ALL will be an issue. But it's more likely if the pressure comes early which one is in use, from what we've seen.

Kinda reminds me of CFW barrels vs SS.
They can shoot every bit as good, fast etc. But the problems with CFW as a percentage are exponentially higher. Tight spots, loose wrap, won't shoot, etc.

Is it worth a few ounces? To some it is.

Few questions for ya. What's the total weight of the titanium rifle setup? The ss setup? Were you shooting the same exact rounds through both? Or did you hand load rounds for both? Cbto same for rounds for both guns? Freebore the same? Jump?