Steel is stronger than titanium, given an equal metal volume. Titanium is stronger than steel, given an equal metal weight.
Steel's modulus of elasticity is roughly twice titanium's; therefore, titanium stretches roughly twice as much as steel when loaded. As such, a titanium action will elongate roughly twice as much as a steel action when the cartridge explosion tries to separate the barrel from the action.
Theoretically, a titanium action cannot be pushed as hard with magnum loads as a steel action can be, given essentially equal metal volume in the actions, before it shows typical "signs of pressure" that most reloaders are familiar with (hard bolt lift, extractor marks, primer flattening and puncture, etc). As you probably already know, reloaders often use these signs to set upper powder charge thresholds.
My question is this: for those who have titanium actions, do you see the above mentioned "reloading pressure limit signs" at lower chamber pressures with a titanium action than with a steel action? In other words, a titanium action may allow a 115 grain bullet to be pushed 3300 fps, while a steel action, with all else equal, will allow an increased powder charge because it elongates half as much, propelling the same 115 grain projectile say 3400 fps.
Is there any solid data or result concurrence related to this?
Thanks!
Steel's modulus of elasticity is roughly twice titanium's; therefore, titanium stretches roughly twice as much as steel when loaded. As such, a titanium action will elongate roughly twice as much as a steel action when the cartridge explosion tries to separate the barrel from the action.
Theoretically, a titanium action cannot be pushed as hard with magnum loads as a steel action can be, given essentially equal metal volume in the actions, before it shows typical "signs of pressure" that most reloaders are familiar with (hard bolt lift, extractor marks, primer flattening and puncture, etc). As you probably already know, reloaders often use these signs to set upper powder charge thresholds.
My question is this: for those who have titanium actions, do you see the above mentioned "reloading pressure limit signs" at lower chamber pressures with a titanium action than with a steel action? In other words, a titanium action may allow a 115 grain bullet to be pushed 3300 fps, while a steel action, with all else equal, will allow an increased powder charge because it elongates half as much, propelling the same 115 grain projectile say 3400 fps.
Is there any solid data or result concurrence related to this?
Thanks!
