Michael Eichele
Well-Known Member
Bounty Hunter,
All button barrel makers I know contour after the barrel is rifled , because you need the same diameter steel so you have the same amount of resistance down the bore as the button is being pulled to maintain consistent bore and groove diameters from breech to muzzle. I have produced both Button barrels and cut rifled barrels so I know both processes very well.
Load,
I want to know how you think the bore is going to maintain it's harness after you heat treat the barrel after buttoning to remove any stress induced into the steel during the process? Plus after you are done heat treating it for stress after buttoning it also gets heat treated after contouring to remove stress induced during the contouring stage. Then you will be removing any of the surface hardness from the steel during final lapping.
Paul Tolvstad
Rock Creek Barrels
Hart told me that they rifle the barrel, then turn and flute if needed then lap to specs.
FWIW, I am not sure of the stress relief techniques of either or the effects on bore life but I do know that of the cut rifle barrels I have owned versus the button pulled barrels I have owned, the button barrels held up MUCH longer than the cut using the same cartridge, bullet type(s) and powders and near identical charge weights.