The best base for nitriding is a CM barrel that has been broken in. What I mean by broken in is that it's had some rounds fired through it for burnishing and the resultant copper has been removed. Having said that, I've done a few with no pre-nitride rounds and they have exhibited very good accuracy. For a carbine application, sending a new CM barrel is the way to go. Variablebinary is dead on, can't send a chrome lined barrel. Let me check on 416SS. I know some folks have done that, but it actually makes the barrel more prone to rusting.
edited to add:
As of November of '09 a test 6x44, 416SS barrel had 8640 rounds through and was still running in F Class competitions. If you look at the wear characteristics of that round, it's much more damaging that 5.56 or even 7.62.
Sorry to turn the thread into another "Nitriding" conversation..........
Last edited by Kevin_J; 08-12-10 at 08:54.
Kevin Johnson
Johnson Tactical Rifles, LLC
Pittsburgh, Pa
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