Is there a difference in weight?

Technically, yes, but you would need a scale to see it, it is so small.

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Gerard Schultz
GS Custom Bullets

JK __

Gerard has it right. The American Society for Metals Handbook shows the density of the carbons steels (4140 etc.) at 0.283 pounds per cubic inch. The "stainless" steels (416 etc.) are at 0.280 pounds per cubic inch. Hence, given a carbon steel rifle where the metal parts weight 5 pounds, the same rifle in "stainless steel weighs 4.95 pounds; less than one ounce difference.

Good shooting.

Robert

Bob

Not that it makes a great deal of difference, but I'm curious. Are you sure you don't have your numbers reversed. I always thought stainless was slightly heavier than carbon steel.

Mike M __

The carbon steels we use (like 4140) are basically 97% iron. Our "stainless" steels (like 416) are about 83% iron and 12-14% chromium. The density of iron is 0.284 pounds per cubic inch. The density of chromium is 0.260 pounds per cubic inch. It follows that the higher chromium alloy must be lighter.

Perhaps you are thinking of the conventional stainless steels that are not hardenable by heat treatment. These contain a high percentage of nickel which is quite heavier than both iron and chromium. For example: the density of Type 304 stainless steel (19Cr-9Ni) is 0.290 pounds per cubic inch.

Good shooting.

Robert

Bob

Thanks for the info. It's always nice to learn a little something.