1) I'm going to Ontario for discounted wolf hunt in Feb. There seems to be evidence with some barrel makers that smaller contour bbls are not a good idea in extreme cold (Krieger for instance). I plan on taking a couple of rifles that have SS bbls with OD of about 0.600 to 0.630 (#2s and #3s if I recall). The makers are Broughton-Richards, Pacnor, and Obermeyer. Anyone think I'll have a problem with temps that could be as low as -30, -40?

2) I've never hunted with it that cold so I'll need some gear. A year or so ago, another member recommended a store in Alaska but I cannot recall what store. Also, I've always been a fan of Danner boots, but what is the best ultra cold boot?

I cannot see a barrel problem at all. I have some that are the same diameters as yours and I have never had a problem. If it is that cold I would recomend a Healy Hansen snowmobile suit. Forget about gloves, a really high quality pair of mitts. and a set if sorel pack boots.

I bought a pair of Sorels about 15 years ago and they were probably of the lesser quality but I've got no experience with their pack boots.

Thanks for the info.

Other shooters have occasionally reported split barrels. light weight stainless bbls. in cold weather. A chrome-moly might be a better choice for the hunt your describing. Your hunt, your choice. Either way, best of luck to you.

I do not own a rifle with a CM barrel any more.

One of the premier riflemakers in the world, D'Arcy Echols, has said that he will not use sts barrels on his Legend rifles due to the cold weather-splitting factor. This is a major inducement for me to use CM, however, I have some sts. on rifles such as my P-64 Westerner in .264WM.

For REAL cold, my worst wilderness backpack camping has been in only -41*F and it gets much colder in most of Canada, I would go with a CM tube to be safe.

No point in risking losing your sight to a bursting barrel.

The only time I've heard of a barrel splitting is a guy had a Bigfoot in his sights at less than 100 yds and guess what happened? Seriously I think this is a big non issue. Where I live guys hunt in -30 all the time (most of us are getting older and start staying home at -40) and I have never even heard the subject brought up in 40 years of hunting. Also in 40 years of hunting and working outside I still haven't found anything that keeps my feet real warm if I'm sitting.

Well, Dan Lilja has a FAQ section addressing this and wrote to me that it is basically a myth. The Harts wrote me and said they stand behind their bbls and to have fun, no worries. The outfitter wrote back and said it is absolute crap.

Crucible Steel Co says their stainless barrel steel [ 416R ] is good to - 40 F !!

quote:

Originally posted by Dewey:
One of the premier riflemakers in the world, D'Arcy Echols, has said that he will not use sts barrels on his Legend rifles due to the cold weather-splitting factor. This is a major inducement for me to use CM, however, I have some sts. on rifles such as my P-64 Westerner in .264WM.

For REAL cold, my worst wilderness backpack camping has been in only -41*F and it gets much colder in most of Canada, I would go with a CM tube to be safe.

No point in risking losing your sight to a bursting barrel.

+1

The fears are valid with light contour SS barrels, don't do it, it's not safe in those kind of temps! My info comes from a metalurgist and a guy who has worked for over 50 years developing loads for Ruger, Winchester, and Lyman. Use CM, if you were going to use a #4 or 5 contour barrel I would not worry about the fatigue factor of the SS.

Dirk

All of my bbls are roughly #3 contours with OD at the muzzle around .600 to .630, except for my 7mag and 300 RUM which are not going.

I suppose, ultimately, I'll just have to find out when I get there if I get to pull the trigger.

A word from Crucible steel:

I spoke with Bill at Crucible (metallurgist, 40 years). I cannot quote exactly but here's what he had to say:

416R was first used by and for Hart barrel company. If a bbl was going to blow up we'd have heard about it by now. We were asked to test the 416R steel to -40 degrees. We have not tested it any colder. I am comfortable telling you that to -40 you will be ok. I cannot say it better than that.

quote:

Originally posted by dirklawyer:

quote:

Originally posted by Dewey:
One of the premier riflemakers in the world, D'Arcy Echols, has said that he will not use sts barrels on his Legend rifles due to the cold weather-splitting factor. This is a major inducement for me to use CM, however, I have some sts. on rifles such as my P-64 Westerner in .264WM.

For REAL cold, my worst wilderness backpack camping has been in only -41*F and it gets much colder in most of Canada, I would go with a CM tube to be safe.

No point in risking losing your sight to a bursting barrel.

+1

The fears are valid with light contour SS barrels, don't do it, it's not safe in those kind of temps! My info comes from a metalurgist and a guy who has worked for over 50 years developing loads for Ruger, Winchester, and Lyman. Use CM, if you were going to use a #4 or 5 contour barrel I would not worry about the fatigue factor of the SS.

Dirk

If you ask Mr. Echols why he has this opinion he will tell you that it is solely based on his barrel supplier's recommendation, which is Krieger.

Doc:

You may want to check out a thread on this board "Northern Outfitters Clothing", it will do the job on that hunt. The right clothing system for the right hunt. Another option would be Raven Wear, windproof fleece. The temps you are talking about can be more than uncomfortable....

These kinds of querys always bring out varying opinions and mine is just what I have read from Kreiger and D'Arcy. I have spoken with him concerning stocks as we have a couple for our P-64s, however, not about this specific subject.

I tend to base my opinions on what I have experienced in the NWT, YT, northern BC and AB plus Ont. Having experienced the effects of longterm severe cold while in forestry work, I am very conservative as to what gear I will choose, when given the chance to choose my own equipment.

Since rust is not a concern in very cold weather, I would prefer the CM tubes, but, each to his own. I have used CM tubes on the BC coast for weeks outside and have not had any rust problems I could not cope with using a Otis kit.

quote:

Originally posted by Dewey:
One of the premier riflemakers in the world, D'Arcy Echols, has said that he will not use sts barrels on his Legend rifles due to the cold weather-splitting factor. This is a major inducement for me to use CM, however, I have some sts. on rifles such as my P-64 Westerner in .264WM.

For REAL cold, my worst wilderness backpack camping has been in only -41*F and it gets much colder in most of Canada, I would go with a CM tube to be safe.

No point in risking losing your sight to a bursting barrel.

Holy snappen arsholes Batman, -41 backpacking in a tent. Must have been a touch uncomfortable. Bet you backpacked your way outa there in a big hurry.

Nope, I spent most of that winter snowcamping in Kokanee Glacier Park and then up in the headwaters of a creek west of Nelson. Some nights I slept out at around -30*F in just my sleeping bag, Early Winters G/T bivy and two thin foamys, laid over some Cedar boughs...very nice, actually.

I prefer cold like that in winter camping to warmer weather as the avalanche danger is less, although, in the West Kootenays, it is always pretty severe.

quote:

Originally posted by cold zero:
Doc:

You may want to check out a thread on this board "Northern Outfitters Clothing", it will do the job on that hunt. The right clothing system for the right hunt. Another option would be Raven Wear, windproof fleece. The temps you are talking about can be more than uncomfortable....

Will check out the first one. Raven Wear was mentioned on one of the threads. I have their website saved too. Thank you!

Doc.
s far as the store in AK it could be Barneys Sports Chalet .I see the web site is down, but they have alot of good stuff. I bought some gear for my AK Brown bear hunt last year, and they are a pleasure to deal with.

In regards to SS & cold. I guided a fellow yrs ago, that had been on a Polar Bear hunt with IIRC Fred Webb. While there, the other hunter fired his SS Rifle at a Bear, and the bbl. cracked

Would it have happened with CM? I dont know, what I do know is, while it may be a rare occasion, it would be reason enough for me to leave the SS at home & take CM if going on a hunt like that.

quote:

Originally posted by cmfic1:
Doc.
s far as the store in AK it could be Barneys Sports Chalet .I see the web site is down, but they have alot of good stuff. I bought some gear for my AK Brown bear hunt last year, and they are a pleasure to deal with.

In regards to SS & cold. I guided a fellow yrs ago, that had been on a Polar Bear hunt with IIRC Fred Webb. While there, the other hunter fired his SS Rifle at a Bear, and the bbl. cracked

Would it have happened with CM? I dont know, what I do know is, while it may be a rare occasion, it would be reason enough for me to leave the SS at home & take CM if going on a hunt like that.

Well, thank you. Unfortunately, taking a CM bbl is not an option as I don't own one. You are correct on the store. The AR member emailed me that name just a day or so ago...thanks!

Sorry, I missed the post about you not having CM bbl's.

If thats all you have, then I guess thats your choices. I live in Alberta & regularily hunt in -30 and cooler, there are lotsa folks up here that use SS and I havent heard of any problems.

I was only suggesting CM thinking you may have that option. Chances are real good you'll be fine.

Good luck on your hunt.

I've been hunting in -40ºC temps for many years with stainless barrels, I cannot tell you that it doesn't lessen barrel life as I have never had to deal with that problem. I could see it being an issue of very thin contour barrels at ambient temps having 2 or 3 hot magnum loads ripped off in a row - it'll heat up something fierce but the temps will likewise drop quite quickly. That can't be good for any metal, but I cannot say that it will have less of an effect on chrome-moly barrels than it would on stainless.

Again, I'm no metallurgist, just a hunter/shooter who likes to play in the snow.