All Guns Have Barrel Stress
All Guns Have Barrel Stress
All firearms are produced with internal stresses. As the metal is bored, reamed and machined, mechanical stresses are created. As forgings and castings cool, the differing rates of temperature change introduce residual stresses. Heat treating leaves thermal stresses behind..
Careful manufacturing, of course, provides barrels that shoot well…stresses and all. However, CRYO-Barrel Stress Relief can even improve benchrest-quality barrels by relieving the internal stresses…with no risk of damage to the barrel or the action of a fine gun.
Stresses cause barrels to twist and arc as they heat up from firing. This is one reason why good three-shot rifle groups are easier to get than good five-shot groups. Shotguns are effected in the same way. For example, at the end of a typical 10-shot sporting clays station pattern placement can shift up to six inches. With 25 shots, pattern placement can shift up to 12 inches, which is the equivalent of a 40% miss area.
Frequently Asked Questions

- What is the turnaround time?
Turnaround is five(5) to seven(7) days. - Can I send my barrel with the receiver?
YES. However, it must be stripped. While 300 Below does treat bolt or trigger mechanisms, any stock and plastic pieces must be removed. Scope mounts may remain attached. - Does the process help Stainless Steel barrels as well as Blue (Chrome Moly)?
YES. The Deep Cryogenic Process will relieve the stress in most all types of steel. - What is the maximum length of barrel you can treat?
We have treated barrels from a .380 Auto to a 9-foot 30 mm Cannon, and everything in between. - Is the Stress Relief Permanent?
Yes. The stress relief is a permanent, one-time, irreversible process. - Does the freezing process affect the cleaning of the barrel?
YES. Most shooters have reported that their barrels clean much easier and that the velocity increased about 50-60 f.p.s. See our testimonials. - Should I treat the blank or finished part?
Both can be treated for different reasons. The blank or round is treated for the benefits of the gunsmith because it improves the machinability and dimensional stability. The finished barrel, of course, is treated for the benefits of the shooter because of the stress relief and wear resistance. - Will the cryogenic process affect the barrel finish?
No, the process will not affect the barrel finish (Blue, Parkerized, Teflon, etc.) - Can I freeze my older barrels?
Older O-U & SxS shotguns with soft soldered barrels should NOT be subjected to our process.






