Reworking Nipples?

[Good Cheer]

Has anyone tried reworking worn nipples for improved erosion resistance?

With a spot of GTAW on the bottom and re-drilling the hole?
If so, what wire works? Tried hastelloy or ultimet?
What size and brand of drill bits?

[rhbrink]

Platinum that's what the long range guys use. I have been using a platinum nipple in a bench rifle firing hundreds of shots and have not been able to measure any erosion yet.

RB

[Tatume]

I presume GTAW is some form of welding, but for those of us on the outside, would you please define your term?

[Good Cheer]

It's gas tungsten arc welding.
A hand held rig has shielding gas output to blanket the weld area and a tungsten electrode to provide heat input. The filler metal of choice is added in from the side. Erosion resistant weld rod alloys have been developed for a lot of industries. It seems like a natural to make a little cavity in the flat end of the worn nipple, weld it up and drill from the top side. So I thought I'd ask.

[leeggen]

Some call it Tig welding, dang have not heard it called that for long time.
CD