Barrel Rifling - Cut vs. Button vs. Cold Hammer Forged

Here's a breakdown of the 3 main types of rifling, Cut rifling, button rifling, and cold hammer forged, and what we believe are the benefits. We also discuss why BCA believes in cold hammer forging and the benefits of it.
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00:00 Intro
00:15 It's a Hot Life
01:39 Cut Rifling
02:13 Button Rifling
02:35 Cold Hammer Forged
03:12 How Cold Hammer Forging works
04:08 Other Advantages of Cold Hammer Forged
05:05 Thanks For Watching

[@webbzgunnuts]

I have use 4 of Bear Creeks barrels, I can damn near put every round so far thru the same hole with the 6.5 Grendel. The 3 x 7.62x39 barrels are all sub moa. No hickups, not ever one.

[@Bear_Creek_Arsenal]

That's awesome to hear!

[@daneblackburn613]

Just remember the angle of the dangle is directly proportional to the heat of the meat

[@johngg25]

Oh my gosh…. Did my 2nd grade son somehow get access to a KZbin account. 😂

[@gutWrench9mm]

@@johngg25 no . We need him

[@markn.1473]

Classic B&B 😂

[@divineperspective8940]

We used to say this at my old job

[@patrickpendergast898]

Truth

[@davidhull4655]

As a toolmaker who learned about metals I agree that hammered forged barrels a a better choice, move the material rather than remove the material

[@cameronmccreary4758]

The nice thing about hammer forging is the metal is work hardened so the barrel can take the higher pressures.

[@xdkosman787]

Great news, now that 5.45x39 uppers went way up in price and are extremely hard to find now, Bear Creek needs to make these uppers.

[@NCHiker1970]

This is what I was trying to explain to a friend, just sent him the video.

[@tyquanwashington.8510]

Great video. Would be awesome if you did another video on CHF, chrome lined barrels.

[@bisleyblackhawk1288]

Well done and informative video 👍🤘👍🤘👍🤘👍

[@Robert-S-]

Really hope you can expand the length and calibers you offer in the CHF barrels soon. I nabbed one of the earlier offerings and have been very pleased with it so far, do wish I had waited a little longer for you to start offering the 1:8 twist, but I have had no issues with the 1:7.

[@chrissheathewoodguy]

I think I'm up to 6 barrels from this company and they keep on treating me right. Most i can get sub moa @ 100 yards. Very good for a simi auto .

[@maritimeus]

Turbocam's TX4 surface treatment is beating out melonite QPQ for wear resistance - I'm getting it on my AR barrels. It's good for cut, button, or CHF barrels. Easy decision!

[@BuckFoeJiden]

Generally speaking, your chrome lined and/or chrome lined barrel will outlast traditionally/button rifled barrels 3-to-1, however they're typically less accurate. Stainless, Button rifled ARs that are made from quality components and assembled well can hold groups as tight as 0.25" at 100 yards, but expect those groups to open up over time. CHF Chrome Lined barrels typically hold 2-4" groups at 100 yards, but you can expect those groups to remain very consistent. As far as value for your dollar goes, a button rifled 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium barrel is what I go for unless I'm trying to build for precision long range shooting. QPQ coated barrels aren't quite as durable as chrome lined, but generally don't negatively impact accuracy as much. I've been using Bear Creek Arsenal as a source of parts for upper builds that I sell on the side for a while now. While they're a budget friendly company, and aren't my first choice for high quality builds, I have put together a couple of uppers with their barrels and bolts that will hold accuracy with any of the high dollar builds I've done. Their customer service is fantastic as well! Because of how good they've been to me over the years, I always try and use at least one part from them somewhere in every single upper I build, even if it's just a gas tube.

[@CEN50RED]

Bless your business

[@deathtothewageslave]

Any plans to bring back the chrome lined barrels?

[@salt-team-six5883]

Thanks great video

[@birdsoup777]

Awesome video. I like the Logo.

[@johnrussell3755]

thanks you made my day

[@rodrigoarcoverde385]

Good to know. So Bear Creek makes Cold Hammer Forgged AR15 barrels? When do you start to make it?

[@murphytoadster9864]

SOLD! I was just about to order a hitman industries barrel but saw this video and now I'm buying bear creak for just 10 bucks more.

[@bacog85]

I go to Bearcreek for all my 2A needs best prices and quality I've found so far. Great products and customer service. Don't know how it took this long for me to stumble upon your YT channel, but definitely sub'ing. Keep yo with the great work.

[@adame270]

If you think bca is the quality you must be new to the firearms world. They make ok plinking guns. I bought 2 and had to modify 1 to make it work.

[@UnknowableAbsolute]

Hammer Forged is best(imho) but machine for this very expensive, this is why method not so popular

[@nozrep]

totally unrelated random comment: your accent, sir, fascinates me! First video of yours I have ever watched, and, that is what caught my ear first even before learning this about barrels, which I did not know either. I am hearing bits and pieces of South African English? British English? AND American English? Am I right am I right?😂 But all combined together into your own unique accent!! Well that is personal I suppose. It’s just that, I am always fascinated by language and accents, having a semi-musical background, and so the way in which any person anywhere talks is always catching my ear because, it also lends a window into their personal story and personal history. So therefore I do not mean any disrespect. Just that, you accent fascinated me when I first heard it and I felt compelled to comment!

[@Bear_Creek_Arsenal]

Ricky is originally from South Africa but has lived all over! He has lived in the US for a bit so he is starting to sound like us:)

[@langleyj8199]

Thanks, answer to my question.

[@lyfandeth]

Your BC15 straight fluted barrel versus spiral fluted, neither mention much about the barrel. Can you tell me more about the barrels, and why one is rated with a much higher MOA and price? Barrel material? Cold forging? Or something else?

[@douglasfletcher718]

So let's talk about rifling. I want a BCA10, but I'm an old cast bullet guy. I make my own lead, tin, nickle slugs and they work great with cut rifling. CHF barreled means polygonal rifling most of the time, and that means no lead because the hills and valleys aren't deep enough to spin and stabilize the bullets going down the bore. They end up shooting lead like a smooth bore and getting tighter from lead deposits which drives up pressure to potentially dangerous levels (like the old exploding glocks.) So what I want to know is : can I get cut rifling? What is the difference in thousandths of an inch between your lands and grooves? CHF is great, but it limits my ammunition choices. That limitsmy decisionto purchase. And, in a shtf apocalypse situation, lead may be all you can find....

[@joeyzagari4155]

Could wire electrical discharge machining (wire-EDM) be of any benefit, or possible, to make rifle barrels, or achieve higher precision tolerances in a trued smooth bore surface before cut or button or CHF?

[@realshady16]

What are the differences between stainless barrels and other barrels?

[@Bear_Creek_Arsenal]

Great question! We will add that to the video list; in the meantime make sure to check out our blog about AR-15 barrels for a quick summary

[@kanaancross317]

I’m taking gun smithing classes right now and am looking at electropolishing. Do you guys do that at all?

[@DasGonz13]

So do you own your CHF machines or do you sub contract those barrels out?

[@chrishanks4869]

Any chance y’all make a 6.8 spc upper for next hunting season

[@chrissheathewoodguy]

I wish they did. I love the one i have , but would love to build another with out the crazy barrel prices...

[@Bear_Creek_Arsenal]

We discontinued 6.8 SPC in favor of 6.5 Grendel

[@spencertruman2004]

@@Bear_Creek_Arsenal that was the right decision

[@bpm990d]

Interested in a 1/7 20" length HBAR with a Wylde chamber. Seems like all the Wylde chambers are 1/8.

[@buckinthetree1233]

I'm sure this method has been well tested and is the preferred method by many high end barrel manufacturers. It seems to me that a cold forged barrel would lend itself to movement when heated up with multiple consecutive rounds being fired. It seems to me that the heat would release stress build up in the steel through cold hammer forging process.

[@Louis-op4zj]

I think it depends on the grain of the steel. And heat treating releases the stresses of the grain. But I'd assume that different forging techniques would still have an impact on grain.

[@CaptGus]

If it good for a fully automatic military rifle, yeah Cold forge hammer is the way to go, but the button rifles are gray with Today’s technology barrel making . most people will never come close to be able to actually shoot as good as the barrels are capable. If you wanna cold, Forchhammer get it but you don’t have to. Maybe one day all barrels be made Cold hammered and we won’t have to worry about it anymore. The most championships have been one with button rifles.

[@calvinhobbs89]

Probably a dumb question but do the chf need any break in or good to go out of the box , thanks for your time

[@tomasteply1956]

Depends more on the surface treatment inside. If it is chrome lined or nitrited the surface is so hard compered to projectile that chances of lapping the bore are almost zero.

[@MabRaty-ec7ij]

What is the internal diameter of AR-15 barrel before rifling if we rifle by using rifling button?

[@Sirheater1]

@BearCreekAR I purchased the BC-15 AR .300blk out rifle. Tried shooting subs through it, and it hung up ever round shot through the 30 round magazine using sub sonic rounds. I called 6 or 7 times, and left messages with there customer service line. They will not answer there phone or return calls. I figure all I need is a lighter spring so it will properly eject the casings. Expect No service after the purchase for Bear Creek Arsenal.

[@patb7723]

Don't know if you ever heard back from them but instead of messing with different buffers another way to easily make a 300 blackout run not only supersonic but also subsonics if it doesn't want to fully cycle a new round or eject spent is an adjustable gas block

[@thatjackal74]

Was the gun suppressed?

[@msquared9605]

Yeah buddy, semi autos aren’t gonna cycle subsonic ammo without a suppressor

[@tomschumacher5434]

👌🏼

[@TNerdo]

So forge is good for full auto. Got it

[@zenbdr]

What is the hole diameter for a 7'62 barrel?Kalashnikov and what are the safe dimensions?

[@F15ElectricEagle]

What about the 4th method of barrel rifling: Broaching?

[@otter44]

How does the button rotate when being forced through the barrel? Is it the same principle as a rifled slug where the cut of the exterior of the button forces it to rotate?

[@thetoneknob4493]

the button drives itself along, the shape is such that it has to rotate at the desired twist rate, as you push it supper hard it dose all the work its self.

[@neutronalchemist3241]

Button rifling machines make the barrel rotate at the desired pace as long as the button is pushed in, so to not have any error, but it's not really needed. Due to the elicoidal shape of the grooves, the button auto-rotates as it's pushed into the barrel.

[@magmacoffee]

That is true if you’re not already dealing very high quality barrel material… you cannot improve something that is already beautifully beautifully foraged from great material… I find the button process gleans more accurate barrels

[@willthompson9073]

Why is it so hard to find information on hammer forging machines I've been trying and trying to figure out what type of hammer forging machines gun companies use to rifle barrels I'd like to start my own gun company rifling is one of the most difficult processes of making a gun so idk why it's so hard to find this information

[@wolfhound4449]

How tight is your torque on built uppers? I almost broke my bench trying to get the barrel nut off and had to give up when my vice broke

[@silvergrizzly316]

You got that right brother! My nephews 450 bushmaster was/is so damn tight I never did get it off . You can only twist so much b4 something breaks and I didn't feel like shearing off the lugs on a brand new barrel. Unfrickinbelieveable!!!

[@wolfhound4449]

@@silvergrizzly316 when the vise broke I tried heat and still didn't get anywhere finally gave up rather than breaking the whole upper just to change a dust cover and paint it another color

[@silvergrizzly316]

@@wolfhound4449 we did too, applied heat, still no results! Idk who's torque'n these barrel nuts but something needs to change.

[@derrickheavener2946]

Glad it wasn't just me, lol. Maybe they staked it?

[@paulshort5609]

@@wolfhound4449 You don't need to remove the barrel to change the dust cover... Search YT .....

[@chimayinasniffer]

I want a hexagon barrel, like the hk p7m10

[@Stan_in_Shelton_WA]

They use a "carbine" (a rifle) to make the rifling? Curious, I'd probably use carbide.

[@syndicatehelp1781]

Do you sell barrel blanks as well if i want to import in india for my company

[@larsonhomeinspection9932]

Chf is the way to. More accurate, harder steel.

[@codyschaver1200]

Can someone please explain to me on how to get a response from this company?!? I've emailed and called many times but can't even get a "f!@# off" response from them!!! This is ridiculous!!!

[@Bear_Creek_Arsenal]

Sorry to hear that! Someone will be contacting you soon

[@tom77685]

I would like to see BCA do a ar15 a1 clone in a 1/12 twist.

[@spencertruman2004]

Not for an ar it doesn’t make sense. It shoots a 40 and 55 grain well if that’s what your after. I have a bolt with 1-12 and love it

[@DuneRiderLife]

Any 7.62x39 CHF barrels coming soon?

[@Bear_Creek_Arsenal]

Those are in the works for the future

[@virtuaguyverify]

I just got an email today, 7.62x39 CHF are available now

[@DuneRiderLife]

@@virtuaguyverify lies i just cecked

[@virtuaguyverify]

@@DuneRiderLife got no reason to lie. It's there

[@DuneRiderLife]

@@virtuaguyverify your right just saw it my fault. But there complete uppers. Im just looking for the barrel.

[@ElsinoreRacer]

Why are your 300blk barrels 1:8? I have yours at 8.5" and using subs it is a very close thing and depending on ammo, they keyhole (which I try to not think about as I mount a can). Q products are running 1:5. True, some supersonics cut for expansion don't like 5:1 much. So, 1:6 exists but is rare. Maybe BCA sets the trend and standardizes on 1:6 twist? Please?

[@Bear_Creek_Arsenal]

Thanks for your feedback! We will pass it on

[@cleetismcdougall5425]

I’ve got 1/7 and 1/8 twist barrels that shoot good subsonic and supersonic groups. One 10 and one 10.5 Ones an Aero P the other Faxon. That’s pretty much the industry standard if you want to shoot both super/subs. I wouldn’t go below an 8” barrel it’s not worth it.

[@ElsinoreRacer]

@@cleetismcdougall5425 Well, mine does not shoot subs well. Glad yours do, does me no good. I am assuming the difference is your barrel length is giving a higher fps and spin rate. My 300 is intended for home defense (CQB). I want to use it with subs (and can) because in enclosed spaces I want to minimize blast and flash. So, I want/need a shorter barrel. I had a 10.5 and it was too long with the can. I would probably be okay at 1:7 but BCA only offers that at 7.5." Rotational energy is a way to impart more energy into a target without speed it up. The new 6.8 blk is rifled at 1:3 twist. Yes, one in three twist. There ARE 1:5 twist 300blk barrels out there and are golden with subs, a few supers not so happy. Thus my 1:6 suggestion, esp at shorter lengths.

[@dilorenzopiero5162]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@murphytoadster9864]

Wait nevermind remind... I was under the impression that they cold hammer forged all of their barrels. Im guessing mine is not because they didn't mention what it was made of in the description and it was 75 bucks

[@Suckmytoes11]

Any chance my order will be shipped before Christmas?

[@jadslash]

Your accent changes every frickin sentence

[@Rico11b]

Cut rifling is the most accurate. It also has minimum tool marks and the finish is much more accurate end to end. For precision rifles cut is the only choice.

[@kpperry784]

Daniel Defense would like to disagree with this statement. Their barrels are both CHF AND Chrome lined and are really ACCURATE. Even their gas gun is sub MOA with their CHF Chrome Lined barrels.

[@Rico11b]

@kpperry784 But they can't. Never said other rifling types weren't accurate. For the greatest accuracy potential though, cut rifling IS the choice.

[@kpperry784]

@@Rico11b That’s an interesting claim…when the DD Delta Pro is considered by many as one of the most accurate rifles on the market…and it has a CHF AND Chrome lined barrel. 🤔

[@Rico11b]

@@kpperry784 I guess we're not talking about the same levels of precision then. Cut is the best, and no others will beat it for precision. No one is shooting anything but Cut rifled barrels in F-Class to 1000 yards. Cut rifled barrels dominate even Benchrest competitions.

[@kpperry784]

@@Rico11b Logical fallacy. The reason why you see more barrels using cut rifling is because that along with button rifling is that they are the most ubiquitous forms of rifle manufacturing. There are very few cold hammer forged setups in the US. The CHF process increases the uniformity and concentricity of the barrel, and they withstand and dissipate heat better due to the metallurgy benefits CHF provides. Lastly the lands and grooves are formed more precisely due to it not being a deleterious process (like being cut). It’s precisely formed around the mandrel which has reverse rifling, from the carbide hammers beating the outside of the barrel. Everything about the CHF process benefits precision. It’s just not as widespread because again there aren’t many machines in the US that feature it.

[@michaelshubr4084]

Broach Cut and Button Cut, Hammer Forged is just a cheap way to produce rifling while cutting Costs!

[@hokehinson5987]

Hammer forged barrels are more popular in Europe. CZ is one company from experience produces hammer forged barrels. Not sure if it is cheaper to produce but they seem to be more stable and have better wear characteristics than cut or button barrels.... Its down to opinion and how much cash one wants to part with. Honestly how many of average folks wear out a barrel from actual use? Most folks either trade or sell give away and move up to another rifle or handgun from boredom or needing to just have something new or keep up with buddies. Back when a rifle, or fowler was a tool that put food on the table daily. It's place was a sacred spot in the home ...over the fireplace mantle. Folks bought the best arm they could afford. Having arms showed their place in society. Today it's more sport and being bling.

[@WhiteBoyNick1]

And I love the sport and bling for sure

[@TrapperAaron]

He seems to use the words carbide and carbine interchangeably

[@ronkay1573]

Cut rifled barrels more accurate in my experience in centerfires.

[@blackonblack...9244]

CHF can withstand FA.

[@BlownF150]

For all practical purposes, all things being equal there is no inherant difference in accuracy between any of these methods. Bullets don't care how the rifling is made, they care about surface finish, consistency, and concentricity. Steyr was one of the early adopters and developers of the rotary CHF process, Ruger was an early US adopter. The main advantage of the CHF process, for the companies that can afford the investment, is high production cost savings. All the claims about accuracy, wear resistance, work hardening, ect. is just marketing babble. A button rifled barrel can be every bit as tough, wear resistant, and accurate as any CHF barrel.

[@Mr.shorty44]

Are you British or American

[@NoName-dn8nv]

Didn't know lgbtqw has a new gun channel

[@SouthOfSanity79]

I just purchased a complete lower and upper for an AR-308. And I must say.... I am thoroughly impressed. The lower is just your standard basic lower. The upper however is a beautiful 416r stainless steel heavy barrel. 20 inches long. When I received the firearm I noticed that there was no machining or tooling marks anywhere. I took it apart and I cleaned and lubricated it thoroughly and then I sat there for about a half hour just working the action around. Then I took it apart clean it and lubricated it once more. And then I took it out. I currently have I don't know somewhere around 400 rounds down range without a single failure in any way shape or form I mean no hiccups whatsoever. And it is maintaining accuracy perfectly. I will definitely be a repeat customer.

[@zeck8541]

Then why don’t you offer hammer forged AR barrels? Don’t expect me to believe that your $80 barrels are hammer forged.

[@Bear_Creek_Arsenal]

We do offer cold hammer forged barrels!

[@lc582]

Some of your pronunciation is reminiscent of the south african accent…

[@Bear_Creek_Arsenal]

Ricky is from South Africa. So that's the South African accent you're hearing

[@dirkmcmeans625]

Lose the creep accent and the creep beard, probably...

[@bryanst.martin7134]

Here we go adding background music which so much more important than the subject matter. Unsub!

[@mwoods5166]

Very Karen like behavior. I don't think bca minds you unsubbing! They sell firearms, they aren't depending on youtube for income.

[@BuckFoeJiden]

It must be a miserable existence to get so upset over something as insignificant as background music 🤣

[@11binfantryfollowmeus.army95]

@@BuckFoeJidenOr to comment about a comment……….

[@ZaMonolith1986]

@@11binfantryfollowmeus.army95 like you just did? lol

[@nikhilpunalur]

This music is really a distraction, i agree. Something light won't be bad

[@richardmartin3243]

I have looked down the barrel of an Bear Creek AR10 with the 20th stainless steel barrel I don't see no rifling in the barrel I've seen him in the grands in 14's AKSK s's room is in 300 windbacks I don't see one in the Bear Creek AR1020 inch barrel stainless steel where's the rifling at it looks like inside of a pipe no rifling