Deep Hole Drilling Parameters Quick Reference Tables by Material and Method
Comprehensive quick-reference parameter tables for deep hole drilling — cutting speeds, feed rates, coolant pressures by material and method (gun drilling, BTA, ejector). Printable reference for engineers and operators.
July 4, 2026 · Deep Hole Drilling Guide Team
Deep Hole Drilling Parameters Quick Reference
This guide consolidates recommended cutting parameters for deep hole drilling across all methods and common engineering materials into a single quick-reference format. Parameters are starting recommendations — adjust based on machine condition, tool condition, and specific application requirements.
Gun Drilling Parameters
Cutting Speed by Material
Material Group
BHN
Cutting Speed (m/min)
Cutting Speed (SFM)
Low-carbon steel (< 0.25% C)
100–150
80–180
260–590
Medium-carbon steel (0.25–0.55% C)
150–250
60–120
200–390
Alloy steel (4140, 4340) annealed
200–300
50–100
160–330
Alloy steel hardened (HRC 30–45)
300–450
20–40
65–130
Tool steel
200–300
30–60
100–200
Stainless 303/304
150–200
40–70
130–230
Stainless 316
150–200
35–60
115–200
Stainless 17-4PH (aged)
350–400
15–30
50–100
Gray cast iron
150–250
50–100
160–330
Ductile iron
200–300
40–80
130–260
Aluminum 6061
80–100
100–300
330–980
Aluminum 7075
150–175
80–200
260–660
Brass (free machining)
80–120
80–200
260–660
Bronze
150–250
40–80
130–260
Titanium Grade 2 (commercially pure)
200–250
20–40
65–130
Titanium 6Al-4V
300–380
15–30
50–100
Inconel 718 (annealed)
350–400
10–20
33–65
Inconel 718 (aged)
400–500
6–12
20–40
Hastelloy X
200–250
15–25
50–80
Copper (pure)
80–100
30–60
100–200
Beryllium copper
200–300
20–40
65–130
Plastics (PEEK, Nylon)
—
50–150
160–490
Hardened steel (HRC 50–60)
500–650
5–15
16–50
Feed Rate by Diameter (Gun Drilling)
Drill Diameter (mm)
Feed Rate (mm/rev) — Steel
Feed Rate — Cast Iron
Feed Rate — Aluminum
1–3 mm
0.005–0.015
0.008–0.020
0.010–0.030
3–6 mm
0.010–0.020
0.015–0.030
0.020–0.050
6–10 mm
0.015–0.025
0.020–0.040
0.030–0.060
10–15 mm
0.018–0.030
0.025–0.050
0.040–0.080
15–25 mm
0.020–0.035
0.030–0.055
0.050–0.100
25–40 mm
0.025–0.040
0.035–0.060
0.060–0.120
40–50 mm
0.030–0.045
0.040–0.065
0.070–0.140
Coolant Pressure by Diameter (Gun Drilling)
Drill Diameter (mm)
Minimum Pressure (bar)
Recommended (bar)
Minimum Flow (L/min)
1–3 mm
120
120–200
5–15
3–6 mm
80
100–150
10–30
6–10 mm
60
80–120
15–50
10–15 mm
50
70–100
25–60
15–25 mm
40
50–80
40–80
25–40 mm
30
40–70
60–120
40–50 mm
25
30–60
80–150
BTA Drilling Parameters
Cutting Speed by Material
Material Group
BHN
Cutting Speed (m/min)
Cutting Speed (SFM)
Low-carbon steel
100–150
70–140
230–460
Medium-carbon steel
150–250
60–120
200–390
Alloy steel (4140) annealed
200–300
50–100
160–330
Alloy steel hardened (HRC 30–45)
300–450
15–25
50–80
Stainless 304
150–200
40–70
130–230
Gray cast iron
150–250
50–90
160–300
Ductile iron
200–300
40–80
130–260
Aluminum
80–150
80–250
260–820
Titanium 6Al-4V
300–380
12–25
40–80
Inconel 718 (annealed)
350–400
10–18
33–60
Brass/Bronze
80–250
50–150
160–490
Feed Rate by Diameter (BTA)
Drill Diameter (mm)
Feed Rate (mm/rev) — Steel
Feed Rate — Cast Iron
Feed Rate — Aluminum
18–25 mm
0.10–0.22
0.15–0.30
0.15–0.45
25–40 mm
0.12–0.28
0.18–0.35
0.20–0.55
40–65 mm
0.15–0.35
0.22–0.45
0.25–0.65
65–100 mm
0.18–0.40
0.28–0.50
0.30–0.75
100–150 mm
0.22–0.45
0.32–0.55
0.35–0.85
150–200 mm
0.28–0.50
0.38–0.60
0.40–0.90
Coolant Pressure by Diameter (BTA)
Drill Diameter (mm)
Pressure (bar) — Minimum
Pressure (bar) — Recommended
Flow (L/min)
18–25 mm
25
35–50
100–180
25–40 mm
22
30–45
150–250
40–65 mm
20
25–40
200–350
65–100 mm
18
20–35
300–500
100–150 mm
15
18–30
400–650
150–200 mm
12
15–25
500–800
Ejector Drilling Parameters
Cutting Speed by Material
Same as BTA — both use similar carbide insert grades and geometries.
Feed Rate by Diameter (Ejector)
Approximately 90% of BTA feed rates for the same material and diameter. Use BTA feed rate table above, then reduce by 10%.
Coolant Pressure by Diameter (Ejector)
Drill Diameter (mm)
Pressure (bar)
Flow (L/min)
18–25 mm
30–40
80–120
25–40 mm
25–35
120–180
40–65 mm
20–30
150–250
65–100 mm
18–25
200–350
100–150 mm
15–22
250–400
150–200 mm
12–20
300–450
Depth Ratio Adjustment Factors
Speed Adjustment
Depth Ratio
Gun Drilling
BTA
Ejector
Up to 10:1
100%
100%
100%
10:1 to 30:1
95%
100%
100%
30:1 to 60:1
85%
90%
90%
60:1 to 100:1
75%
80%
80%
100:1+
65%
N/A
N/A
Feed Adjustment
Depth Ratio
Gun Drilling
BTA
Ejector
Up to 10:1
100%
100%
100%
10:1 to 30:1
95%
100%
100%
30:1 to 60:1
80%
90%
85%
60:1 to 100:1
70%
75%
75%
100:1+
60%
N/A
N/A
Starting Parameters by Common Application
Application
Method
Speed (m/min)
Feed (mm/rev)
Coolant Pressure (bar)
Gun barrel, chrome-moly steel
Gun drilling
25–40
0.015–0.025
100–150
Fuel injector, stainless steel
Gun drilling
40–60
0.012–0.020
80–120
Landing gear, 300M steel
Gun drilling
15–25
0.010–0.020
100–150
Crankshaft, steel
Gun drilling
60–80
0.018–0.028
60–80
Heat exchanger tube sheet, steel
BTA
60–80
0.15–0.25
25–40
Valve body, carbon steel
BTA
50–70
0.12–0.20
30–45
Hydraulic cylinder, steel
BTA
60–80
0.18–0.30
25–35
CNC lathe retrofit general, steel
Ejector
50–70
0.15–0.25
25–35
Medical bone screw, 316L
Gun drilling
30–45
0.008–0.015
100–150
Titanium aerospace component
Gun drilling
15–25
0.010–0.020
120–180
Summary
Quick-reference tables for deep hole drilling parameters must account for material, method, diameter, and depth ratio. Always start at the lower end of the recommended range and adjust upward based on chip shape (target: C-shaped chips). Monitor coolant pressure at the tool (not just the pump) — pressure drop from pump to tool can be 20–40%. For detailed parameter explanations, see the deep hole drilling parameters overview, cutting speed optimization, and feed rate selection guide.