Seems a lot of people take high stock into owning an AK with a chrome lined barrel and pay more than $200-$400 more for a rifle with a chrome lined barrel. This is inherently thought of as a need for a longer lasting barrel when you throw a lot of rounds through. Some of the reasons I see US importers may throw the non chromed barrel on is because of cost, time and demand. Then I recall seeing why the Germans chose to put a non chrome lined barrel on the HK416. They simply stated it was more accurate even though it had a shorter life span. Then it was obvious and sitting right in front of me, literally. Few years back I was really into long range whacking of prairie dogs and antelope. I have a Remington 700 Sendaro VS SF in a 7mmSTW (Shooting Times Western). Those unfamiliar with this cartridge it is not the size of a 7MM Mag. It is an 8mm MAG round necked down to a 7mm. Looks about the size of a 300 Ultra in length, girth and gains of powder in the case. The shoulder and caliber is what sets the brass apart.
Now the reason the caliber is so important in this post is the fact of the blistering speed and pressure put on the barrel of this rifle.
The velocity ballistics on 7.62x39
With my reloads I was shooting 120-140gr ballistic tips pushing near 4400FPS for velocity at the muzzle through mine. Forgive the basic data, if need be I can dig out my Nightforce XBAL program to verify data. But at near twice the velocity of what the 7.62x39 will do at any distance you can imagine how hard this is on the bore of this rifle. This is also part of the reason Remington no longer offers this chamber due to the shortened life span on the rifle. But the is a way you can extend the life on the barrel in which I did. I took my rifle to my local sporting goods store and had it sent to a similar place to this. http://www.300below.com/firearms-cryo-barrel/ The service charge at the time (2002) was $60 which I do not believe has changed much. Total with shipping and tax was about $90. Did it make a difference in accuracy? You bet it did. It was about as big of improvement as going from store bought ammo to loading my own. I do not consider myself a great shooter capable of amazing feats but here was the progression. Store bought ammo gave me a shot group firing 20rds of the size of a baseball at my 135yd Zero (for this setup). Same distance with hand loads I could tighten up a 20rd group to a golf ball. After I got it back from Cryo treatment it went to the size of a small pop bottle cap. I was so impressed we were shooting plastic bottle caps off the top of the target. As far as longevity I still own this rifle and regret selling it's unfired twin. I have shot easily more than 2000rds which in my opinion to get 1000rds is very good quality.
The 7.62x39 round fired through an AK is notorious for poor accuracy so is it possible that someone thought Americans like to hit what they aim for? Is is possible that this was their intent and not just cost savings? Regardless, I believe you can get a much better AK with a non Chrome lined barrel by paying the lesser price and have it sent for cryo treatment. Two things I believe it will accomplish, a far more accurate rifle and just as long or longer life than a chrome lined bore. So long as you do not have one with a key holing issue out of the box (which is a manufacturing defect) , I think it is well worth having this done with the rifle you plan on shooting on a regular basis.
Again this is only my personal hypothesis, has anyone done this already or thoughts?
Now the reason the caliber is so important in this post is the fact of the blistering speed and pressure put on the barrel of this rifle.
The velocity ballistics on 7.62x39
With my reloads I was shooting 120-140gr ballistic tips pushing near 4400FPS for velocity at the muzzle through mine. Forgive the basic data, if need be I can dig out my Nightforce XBAL program to verify data. But at near twice the velocity of what the 7.62x39 will do at any distance you can imagine how hard this is on the bore of this rifle. This is also part of the reason Remington no longer offers this chamber due to the shortened life span on the rifle. But the is a way you can extend the life on the barrel in which I did. I took my rifle to my local sporting goods store and had it sent to a similar place to this. http://www.300below.com/firearms-cryo-barrel/ The service charge at the time (2002) was $60 which I do not believe has changed much. Total with shipping and tax was about $90. Did it make a difference in accuracy? You bet it did. It was about as big of improvement as going from store bought ammo to loading my own. I do not consider myself a great shooter capable of amazing feats but here was the progression. Store bought ammo gave me a shot group firing 20rds of the size of a baseball at my 135yd Zero (for this setup). Same distance with hand loads I could tighten up a 20rd group to a golf ball. After I got it back from Cryo treatment it went to the size of a small pop bottle cap. I was so impressed we were shooting plastic bottle caps off the top of the target. As far as longevity I still own this rifle and regret selling it's unfired twin. I have shot easily more than 2000rds which in my opinion to get 1000rds is very good quality.
The 7.62x39 round fired through an AK is notorious for poor accuracy so is it possible that someone thought Americans like to hit what they aim for? Is is possible that this was their intent and not just cost savings? Regardless, I believe you can get a much better AK with a non Chrome lined barrel by paying the lesser price and have it sent for cryo treatment. Two things I believe it will accomplish, a far more accurate rifle and just as long or longer life than a chrome lined bore. So long as you do not have one with a key holing issue out of the box (which is a manufacturing defect) , I think it is well worth having this done with the rifle you plan on shooting on a regular basis.
Again this is only my personal hypothesis, has anyone done this already or thoughts?