Hi everyone, I’m from South Africa and a very active shooter/hunter to the extend that I burn through barrels way faster than what I want to. The process of rebarreling is super long and cumbersome in SA. Anybody out the there following the process of Moly or HBN coating and what are your experience?
What caliber are you shooting? and at what speeds?
6.5 Creedmoor, 143 and 147 Hornady at 2750fps. 7mm-08 with 162 Hornady at 2700fps.
I know that HBN reduces friction but I don’t think it would do anything for throat erosion. That is where most of the problems are
Haven’t don’t anything like that myself since a new barrel isn’t a big deal in the US.
I know Sig is doing some coating in their 277 Sig fury barrels that is supposed to make them last much longer, but I don’t know how much is marketing and how much they really help.
There is a very compelling article on 6mmbr.com from Norma: here is a summary
The enormous forces that build up in rifle barrels cause severe wear to lands and grooves. Here is a close-up of the throat wear in three different 6.5x55 barrels. These Norma test photos show wear after 10,000 shots with Norma Diamond Line “Bana”, after 3,700 shots with uncoated bullets, and after 7,000 shots with Diamond Line Fält.
Compare the results for yourself. Norma claims “testing showed barrels retained accuracy more than twice as long when Norma moly bullets were used from the outset. This is because Norma Diamond Line is coated with molybdenum disulphide and a protective layer of wax. Friction is reduced which means that the bullet travels further along the barrel before peak pressure is reached. The result is lower wear and improved accuracy”. Read Norma’s full R&D report below.
Thanks! Reading the article now
Makes me wonder if that technology would spread and be used for something like the 28 Nosler to get the barrel life closer to normal lifespan.
I received this from Hornady today;
Coating your projectiles with Hex-Boron Nitride (HBN) could potentially offer some benefits. HBN is known for its lubricating properties, which can reduce friction between the bullet and the barrel. This reduction in friction may lead to an increase in velocity and could also help to extend barrel life by reducing wear. However, we have not provided specific testing results regarding the use of HBN coatings on our projectiles. As with any modification, it is important to proceed with caution and consider the potential impact on the bullet’s performance. If you decide to use HBN, start with the lowest charge listed for similar weight and caliber bullets and monitor the results closely. Thank you for your inquiry.
I think that as long as you are watching for pressure signs and are being safe, there is some benefit. I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I am going to try some in a Savage 110 and see what I find. I will use a chronograph and check for any signs of pressure