Melonite Process

[BountyHunter]

Here is a link and discussion on the melonite process for barrels. Interesting comments from guys that have been using it for a while. I am getting ready to send of a 338 AI barrel to be treated.

With the barrel burners shot here, if it works half as good as claimed, it will more than pay for itself in longer barrel life.

Melonite - Benchrest Central Forums

BH

 

[trueblue]

Bountyhunter,
Can this be done only to the inside of the barrel in the case of a guncoated barreled action ?

 

[jimbires]

Bountyhunter,
Can this be done only to the inside of the barrel in the case of a guncoated barreled action ?

True blue , here is a quote from the other thread . they are coating inside and outside . any idea of the cost ? Jim


Benchrest (Capital 'B') guys have been using this method on Benchrest (Capital 'B') guns for a number of years. There are no "objectionable" or deleterious effects except that the exterior of the barrel is a gorgeous deep black and SLIPPERY!!!! Can be hard to get a grip on with the barrel vise.

 

[trueblue]

jimbires,
I read the thread. My question was can the melonite coating be applied to only the inside of a barrel, if the barrel is already coated on the outside with guncoat or similar product.

 

[jimbires]

jimbires,
I read the thread. My question was can the melonite coating be applied to only the inside of a barrel, if the barrel is already coated on the outside with guncoat or similar product.

sorry trueblue , I misunderstood you . it's clear now . Jim

 

[trueblue]

jimbires,
After doing some readfng on this , it seems it could not be done on an existing guncoated barrel and only melonite coat the inside of the barrel. It seems to be a submersion process.

 

[BountyHunter]

It coats the whole barrel. Right now the company is getting its FFL so only barrels and bolts. First order min is $200 (they are working to change that)

Cost is $87 for barrel and $45 for a bolt (think those prices are correct

Barrel must be broken in and super clean. Absolutely no machine possible afterwards such as recrowning etc. Better have it right before meloniting.

Joel Kendrick from 6mmbr.com has been working with HEF (company doing it) for 5 years. He has over 5k of rounds down the tube of his fclass gun which is a hot 6mm wildcat and still shooting and winning. All his 600 yd BR guns have had it done.

I am going to try it on my 338 Ack Imp and the 338/408 (Big Baer) that Bruce Baer is building for me.

BH

 

[JOSE LUIS LEON]

can be applied to the receiver?

 

[ZSteinle]

Sending in a 6.5x284, 22-284 and a savage 110 action. Hopefully it will help the 22-284 barrel last more than 600 rounds. Should be a good test of the treatment.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

can be applied to the receiver?

With Trutec, only some actions.

With H&M, any action.

 

[shortgrass]

Absolutely no machine possible afterwards such as recrowning etc. Better have it right before meloniting.

BH

Not true. I have barrels that have been salt bath nitrided (melonite treated) by both MMI and H&M and either can be altered if carbide tooling is used. But you are correct, it's better to have everything 'right' to begin with. I've been having barrels melonite treated for the past 4 or 5 years.

 

[tbrice23]

Shortgass

Have you measured any noticeable less throat erosion? Versus untreated steel or SS.

 

[shortgrass]

Shortgass

Have you measured any noticeable less throat erosion? Versus untreated steel or SS.

The only 'measurement' I'd have is round count and visual inspection with the bore scope. I see a marked decrease in throat wear of treated barrels and no loss in accuracy. I'm currently using H&M because of MMIs' change in policies.

 

[benchracer]

Is the melonite process compatible with older actions made with case hardened steel?

Given the temperatures involved, would I be correct to think that small parts/hardware would need to be finished using a different process?

Maybe a better question is: Do you employ melonite as a stand alone finish, or do you use it as a barrel treatment in combination with other types of metal finish?