Yep, geekay has it right. The specialised alloy steels [416 for stainless, 4140 for chrome moly], in bar quality suitable for barrels, ain't made here. Market's too small.

I`m surprised that MAB are importing Barrel steel from Taiwan.

I am sure it`s cheaper to import from Taiwan, but again the old saying about you get what you pay for.

Surely Aussie steel is better quality & competitive in price.

After this fiasco, probably alot more than MAB thought !

And what "Aussie" steel would that be?

Just got this off works shooting site. Just out of interest.


MAB Shooting News
> 24th September 2004 - Statement from M.A.B. Engineering re: NRAA Ban on
> M.A.B. Stainless Steel Barrels
> We wish to continue to keep the shooting community informed regarding the
> ban imposed by the National Rifle Association of Australia (NRAA) on the
> use of MAB stainless steel barrels on NRAA ranges.
> Early this week we received a copy of the comprehensive report which had
> been commissioned by the NRAA, and we do thank the Association for making
> that available to us.
> Due to the extent and detail in the document, it will take a period of
> time to fully consider it and to determine the course of action which
> should be taken by MAB Engineering.
> We appreciate that shooters are keen for the matter to be resolved, and
> every available effort is being channelled into working with the NRAA to
> facilitate a satisfactory resolution.
> Thank you for your continued cooperation. The safety of gun owners has our
> highest priority.
>
> 14th September 2004 - Statement from M.A.B. Engineering re: NRAA Ban on
> M.A.B. Stainless Steel Barrels
> We at MAB Engineering take safety very seriously. We were surprised when
> we were notified by the National Rifle Association of Australia Limited
> (NRAA) of the concerns they have just raised. We have not had the
> opportunity to review the report which has been commissioned by the NRAA.
> Surprisingly in the circumstances, the NRAA failed to provide us with a
> copy of the draft report before they took the action which they did.
> Accordingly, it is very difficult for us to respond in a meaningful manner
> to the allegations raised by the NRAA until they have provided us with a
> copy of the final report. As soon as we have been provided with a copy of
> the report and have the opportunity to study it, we will then be in a
> position to sensibly respond. It must be remembered that at this stage,
> all that has been provided are some vague allegations which we simply have
> not had the opportunity to consider. As soon as we have, we will, of
> course, respond appropriately. Thank you for your cooperation as we seek
> to resolve this matter.
>
>
>

Stu
Beleive it is only stainless, I also have a concern as my 416sw has a Mab barrel and with 143grns of powder it would be big, my barrel is not stainless.

Here is a link to Mab site with info about it
Mab home page

416SW,
Yeah, I've got a MAB CM barrel on one of my rifles. Not a good feeling really.

I'm more than a bit confused about this whole thing. It's been mentioned here that cut-rifled barrels are the problem. The MAB web page only talks about button-rifled barrels. What gives???


***********

from the MAB Web Page


5 November 2004

PRODUCT ANALYSIS RECALL NOTIFICATION
TO AUSTRALIAN OWNERS OF MAB BUTTON-RIFLED STAINLESS STEEL BARRELS PURCHASED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2001 AND JANUARY 2003
MAB has recently discovered an error in purchasing raw material used in the manufacture of a small number of its button-rifled stainless steel barrels manufactured between November 2001 and April 2002.

If you PURCHASED an MAB button-rifled stainless steel barrel between NOVEMBER 2001 and JANUARY 2003 please do not use it before its steel hardness has been tested.

While recent steel hardness testing commissioned by the National Rifle Association of Australia indicates that the minimum tensile strength of MAB뭩 stainless steel barrels exceeds a 1.6 safety margin, there may be a risk of barrel rupture and personal injury where these barrels are used in conjunction with unsafe hand-loading practices.

Please contact MAB if you have any queries or require further information about whether or not your MAB button-rifled stainless steel barrel should be tested, directing all queries to Sally Kaye on the following:

telephone ?07 3355 4922 8am to 12pm Queensland time, Monday to Friday
facsimile ?07 3355 4922
email ?admin@mab.com.au
post ?PO Box 72 Everton Park Qld 4053 Australia

MAB button-rifled stainless steel barrels which require testing should be sent as barrelled actions only* and returned to MAB with:

DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF THE DATE AND PLACE OF PURCHASE OF THE BARREL;
A LEGIBLE COPY OF THE OWNER뭆 CURRENT FIREARMS LICENCE;
DETAILS OF THE OWNER뭆 NAME, FULL POSTAL ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND EMAIL ADDRESS IF AVAILABLE; and
ANY OTHER DETAILS RELATING TO THE BARREL PURCHASE OR ITS HISTORY, SUCH AS THE NAME OF THE GUNSMITH, WHICH MAY ASSIST WITH THE VERIFICATION PROCESS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY MAB, AND DETAILS OF ANY USAGE (NUMBER OF ROUNDS FIRED, ETC).

We anticipate the vast majority of MAB뭩 button-rifled stainless steel barrels will meet MAB뭩 stringent test standards and then be marked, certified as having been tested, and returned to the owner.

If any MAB button-rifled stainless steel barrel does not meet MAB뭩 test standards, it will be exchanged for a replacement barrel (subject to the barrel뭩 age and condition) in accordance with MAB policy.

MAB regrets any inconvenience which may be caused, but the safety of its customers is its highest priority.

*MAB accepts no responsibility for any other rifle component returned with the button-rifled stainless steel barrel (i.e. sights, bolt, trigger or stock) if sent to MAB by the customer.

Note: Separate arrangements for New Zealand customers will be advised in the near future.

All,

Why not use a tobler barrel, i was going to order a MAB but have since ordered and recieved a tobler, looks great.

SSGA


Small Stick Good Aim

Yes, good one. Tobler has already had at least 2 fail.
And they all LOOK good till they let go. Buy Chrome/Moly.
John L.

You still out there?
Not to mention all the Sako/Tika's demolishing themselves.
Go chrome Vanadium.
John L.