Material Selection Recommendations

jephw · Dec 5, 2021

Hello folks.
I recently got tasked with making muzzlebrake's for rifles on our mill/turn center. I need advice on selecting the proper grade of stainless for this job. Basically, I want it to be nice to machine but still tough enough so it won't get scuffed or scratched.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Thank you.

DouglasJRizzo · Dec 5, 2021

I think the 400 series like 440C and 416 would work well.

mhajicek · Dec 5, 2021

I like 17-4, machine it in the hardened state.

There's a guy making lever actions from 17-4 in S&W .500 Magnum.

Corn · Dec 6, 2021

I can't recommend any material, but I can tell what maybe not to use. I've tried Aisi 303, but that gets eroded by the hot gasses and powder particles quite fast. All of them erode eventually, but I guess I'll try 416 next time if I get my hands on that material..

TeachMePlease · Dec 6, 2021

17-4 H900.

Always 17-4 H900.

Milland · Dec 6, 2021

TeachMePlease said:
17-4 H900.

Always 17-4 H900.

And here I'd been thinking the answer was always "42"...

jephw · Dec 7, 2021

DouglasJRizzo said:
I think the 400 series like 440C and 416 would work well.

Does this series of stainless rust? Or am I wrong?

TeachMePlease said:
17-4 H900.

Always 17-4 H900.

That's the expensive choice aint it? :cool:

DouglasJRizzo · Dec 8, 2021

jephw said:
Does this series of stainless rust? Or am I wrong?

That's the expensive choice aint it?

I've not seen it corrode, but that could just be dependent on conditions.

TeachMePlease · Dec 9, 2021

jephw said:
Does this series of stainless rust? Or am I wrong?

That's the expensive choice aint it?

Good, fast, cheap.... Pick any 2.

Milland · Dec 9, 2021

TeachMePlease said:
Good, fast, cheap.... Pick any 2.

These days, "cheap" isn't an option...

couch · Dec 10, 2021

TeachMePlease said:
15-5 H900.

Always 15-5 H900.

Fixed it for you.

jephw · Dec 19, 2021

TeachMePlease said:
17-4 H900.

Always 17-4 H900.

Is this material nice to machine? Or a nightmare like 316?

specfab · Dec 19, 2021

My experience with 17-4 is that it machines very nicely. Excellent finish, even on manual machines. I have worked with 304 on occasion, which is an alloy I consider to be unusable for anything other than beating into shape with a BFH. I have not had to work with 316, but I understand that it is as bad or worse than 304.

Corn · Dec 19, 2021

Here`s a nice chart of machinability index of different steels. 416 annealed has the highest machinability ratings of stainless steels.
Metal Alloy Machinability Ratings | All Metals & Forge

Triaged · Dec 20, 2021

couch said:
Fixed it for you.

Why 15-5 over 17-4?

Milland · Dec 20, 2021

Triaged said:
Why 15-5 over 17-4?

15-5 is typically a more controlled alloy than 17-4 (analogous to "blueprinting" an engine, it's blueprinting the metal mix). Usually more expensive, but more consistent in final properties.

TeachMePlease · Dec 21, 2021

jephw said:
Is this material nice to machine? Or a nightmare like 316? &#55357;&#56833;

If I could cut only one material for the rest of my life it would be 17-4 H900.

Good finishes, good tool life, no random bad bars like 304. Waaaaaay more fun to cut than 316.

mhajicek · Dec 21, 2021

And it stays where you put it.

bradleyk · Dec 21, 2021

https://www.asminternational.org/do...p034.pdf/bb24399e-a140-4b16-bc76-48572d99882c
Three page article here about 465 SS. Small part of it talks about use by Ruger to develop a .454 six-shot revolver.

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