Cryogenically Accurized barrel

[bucktrack7]

Cryogenically Accurized barrel. Is there anything to this? Does it really make any difference and if so what are the advantages/disadvatages?

Thanks,
Wes

[Rocky Raab]

It's unclear, Wes. It's also almost impossible to prove.

To verify the claims, you'd have to shoot the SAME barrel for two usable lifetimes. Even testing two supposedly identical barrels won't prove enything because there ARE no two identical barrels. Even two barrels manufactured sequentially from the same lot of materials and with the same tools, within moments of each other, will be different in some way. If nothing else, the tooling is a teensy bit duller and smaller for the second one.

So the cryogenically treated barrel may or may not be "better" or last longer or be easier to clean. But there'd be no way to say those improvements were due ONLY to the treatment. See?

[denton]

I've never seen any evidence that it helps with accuracy. I've heard of people getting better results after cryogenic treatment, and I've heard of people getting worse results.

I think there is some evidence to support the idea that steel wears longer. The original cryogenic treatment was for machine tools, to improve useful life. However, the treatment may or may not help throat erosion, which isn't really the same issue.

So.... that's more equivocation that most politicians. Short answer: I don't think anybody really knows if it helps.

[Classicvette63]

Are cryo treated barrels supposed to increase longevity or accuracy? If accuracy, shot some loads and measure. Cryo then shot the loads again. You'll find out pretty quick if it helped. If for longevity a sample of barrels will be needed. Someone will have the answer as to how many barrels will be needed for a representative sample. Take x amount of barrels that are stock and x amount that are cryo treated. Run rounds thru them until they give up. There is your answer. Sounds like a potential article there Rocky.

[bucktrack7]

Thanks for the information so far!

I have heard that these barrels are slower to overheat and let you get more shots in a row before the bullets start to walk. Have any of you heard anything on that line?

Thanks again for the info.

[Rocky Raab]

Classic, the Cryo folks offered me all the barrels I could use to do just that.

I demurred.

When it came down to brass tacks, I couldn't think of a meaningful way to do it. I would have needed a borescope, and a truckload of reloading components - not to mention a couple of years at the range.

After all that, all I could have reported would have been "Barrel X has been fired so many thousands of rounds, and is still accurate. Barrel Y is, too."

I have other ways to burn my time.

[Catfish]

I`ve talked to acouple of benchrest shooters that have every barrel that they shoot cryoed. I ask them if they thought it really haelped, the answer I got was, " I really don`t know, but it don`t hurt." It is suposed to line up all the molicules????????, but then you can do the same thing by tapping the barrel several time with a hammer.
So far no one has convinced me to spend the money to have it done. I have thought about it though. But then I`m cheap.