Method of manufacturing rolled wire rod

A method of manufacturing rolled wire rod, wherein a steel is rolled into a rod at an elevated temperature comprising controlling the average temperature at the time of final rolling at from about 870.degree. to 970.degree. C., then cooling the same very rapidly with water to about 700.degree. to 850.degree. C., and further cooling the same in an outspread state, the composition of the steel being as follows:

• ______________________________________ 0.05 to 0.20% carbon 0.50 to 1.50% silicon 0.80 to 3.00% manganese 0 to 1.2% chromium 0 to 0.30% titanium 0 to 0.30% zirconium 0 to 0.60% molybdenum 0 to 0.40% vanadium 0 to 0.50% copper 0 to 1.50% nickel 0 to 0.10% aluminum 0 to 0.020% nitrogen 0 to 0.040% sulfur 0 to 0.040% phosphorus ______________________________________
• balance iron and common impurities, the sum of the contents of silicon, manganese, chromium and molybdenum amounting to more than 1.5%.