Older Beretta barrels were likely 4140 Chrome Moly.
The AV10, 686 Evo, 692, A400 and others have the mystical "Steelium"
which is a Nickel/Chrome/Moly alloy.
No doubt pretty good stuff.
A conclusive diagnosis is only reached following the expenditure of several thousand dollars on a Ballistic Analysis, Failure Analysis, and Metallurgical Study by the experts hired by the personal injury attorney representing the shooter. It takes a reasonable expectation of a significant settlement to make all that worth the time (at $375/hr.) and effort, and if a settlement is reached the agreement will have confidentiality clauses.
The big dollars are in pipeline blow-outs and airplanes falling from the sky, not faulty shotshells or barrel defects.
We have previously discussed the fact that Remingtons experiment with AISI 1140 Modified (with manganese sulfide) did not work out as intended, but most of the settlement money no doubt went to the class action lawyers
Loitz vs. Remington Arms, 1990
http://law.justia.com/cases/illinois/supreme-court/1990/68367-7.htmlGarza Class Action
http://www.gunsmoke.com/guns/rem_lawsuit_intro.htmlIf Rob's friend can provide witnesses willing to attest that he was using loads fresh from the factory box, he should, and likely will, receive compensation.
