barrel question

[dse]

So I ordered a .308 29" 6r varmint contour Brux barrel for a 300 rum build. It shows up today and its a bartlein 5r barrel. Should I send it back or just use the barrel they sent.

[308Nut]

So I ordered a .308 29" 6r varmint contour Brux barrel for a 300 rum build. It shows up today and its a bartlein 5r barrel. Should I send it back or just use the barrel they sent.

I've never heard of a 6r. Guess I haven't been paying attention.

 

Nothing wrong with a 5r. If anything, barrel life might be slightly better with the 5 land. More surface area per land to handle the heat slightly better. You'll need all the help you can get with the 300 RUM. My advice? Keep it.

 

Nothing wrong with Bartlein either.

[dse]

I hadn't either. Just what the guy from bugholes told me. I was originally going to order a 5r barrel from Rock Creek, but the smith recommended the Brux or a Krieger and not 5r.

[308Nut]

I can see a smith recommending a kreiger or Brux but can't imagine many smiths NOT recommending a 5R. Brux and kreiger don't offer 5R and that might be why he didn't recommend it.

 

They clean up well and run a bit faster.

 

Rest assure, Bartlein barrels are right in among the best.

[rancilio]

PRS shooters think Bart's are good...

 

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/11/21/precision-rifle-barrels/

[lancetkenyon]

Bartlein is absolutely top tier. I would most definitely keep it. I have a Bartlein 5R on my 6.5 SLR that has shot a sub-.1" 3-shot 100 yard group. I also have a Rock Creek 5R on my .300RUM. It shoots amazing as well.

 

My next build will be a Bartlein 5R again. 5R are supposed to not distort the bullet as much as a 4 (or6) groove barrel, since the lands and grooves are not directly across from each other, allowing the bullet to center better without smashing it into the lands as much.

 

See what the pros use.

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/11/21/precision-rifle-barrels/

[WampusCat]

I would keep it. Hard to beat the barrel you ended up getting.

 

Kreiger does make 5R. My most recent build has a Krieger 6.5mm, 8.5 twist 5R on it.

 

Seems like I remember a smith grumbling a few years ago about the 5R's being more trouble to chamber. Something about the reamer chatter on the different lands and grooves? Maybe that's where his recommendation is based?

[kadillackountry]

That's what I put on my latest build. I like the Bartlein so far.

[dse]

I would keep it. Hard to beat the barrel you ended up getting.

 

Kreiger does make 5R. My most recent build has a Krieger 6.5mm, 8.5 twist 5R on it.

 

Seems like I remember a smith grumbling a few years ago about the 5R's being more trouble to chamber. Something about the reamer chatter on the different lands and grooves? Maybe that's where his recommendation is based?

 

 

 

 

That's exactly what he told me.

[WampusCat]

^ I will say this. Any smith worth his salt can figure out how to make it work without issue. I've got (3) 5R barrels and all shoot lights out and clean up like a dream.

[briant_az]

I have both brands of barrels on rifles, they are both good. I would keep what was sent to you. I own a .260 with a Bartlein barrel, its the most accurate gun I own.

[308Nut]

Thank you Wampus for setting me straight on Krieger 5Rs. I learn something new everyday.

 

I also agree that any smith worth his salt should be able handle it. I've not had any complain yet.

 

My current Bartlein 5R shoots a variety of bullet weights and styles well and digests several different powders well. It's not the most accurate barrel I've ever had but it's more than acceptable and it handles a lot of loads very well and a couple of loads exceptionally well. Clean up is easier than average. I get good accuracy at top velocities too. I also find it very easy to hit top end velocities and then some without 'pushing' the limits. Both of which have been my experience with other 5Rs. At 26", hitting the 2700'sec mark with 185-190 grain pills is easy. That's with single base powders to boot. I'm not saying get a 5R and load it to the hilt out of the gate nor am I saying they are magic but odds are, you'll be able to work up to top velocities plus some without beating up your brass. All barrels have unique characteristics that determine how much pressure there will be a what velocities including the 5R type. The trend and patterns are that they run on the fast side and clean up easier in general.

[dse]

Thanks for the help guys! I kept the Bartlein, picked up a Timney 510, a Wyatt box, and PTG ss bottom metal. All got dropped off to Phoenix Custom Guns. Also ordered a McMillan tac hunter stock.