V
Vibe
Guest
My 2 cents from a materials standpoint is that the residual compressive stresses from button rifling will cause a barrel to behave differently than a barrel with cut rifling. I suspect that the button rifled barrel will want to stay "straighter" in general than a cut rifled barrel (like a pre-stressed beam). I also suspect that a cut rifled barrel will want to behave in a more natural, relaxed manner than a button rifled barrel. This is just postulation, but we can definitely expect differences in material behavior depending on residual stresses.
SteveM.
Jetmugg & Gordon
From a mechanics of materials standpoint that theory doesn't hold true. I'll admit that it would seem logical, but the proof and the math say otherwise - stiffness is not that closely tied to presence or absence of internal stresses - or heat treat properties either. Dead soft or hard or any combination in between the stiffness works out the same.
This property is very closely tied to the Youngs Modulus of the material which does not change so long as the material is not stressed beyond it's elastic limits. And past that limit the steel will not return to it's original shape. This would not be a good thing in a rifle barrel as it is what has happened when you form a ring in a barrel.
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