Frustrated with Shilen 6BR.

[urbanrifleman]

Do you weigh your primers? Could be primer weight.

 

[okie]

Do you weigh your primers? Could be primer weight.

lol--dont discount shilen--they shoot as good as the next one

 

[NWnewguy]

Shilen barrels have won more world records than any company out there. He stated it shot great initially and has just recently gone down hill.

I hate to say it, but you just don't know, what you don't know. You need to get a borescope or a buddy/smith with a bore scope and see what's going on. It could be as simple as a carbon ring that needs attention. I've personally seen this in a 6x47 at about 1200rds. Guy thought the barrel was toast and we cleaned the ring out after scoping it and it went right back to shooting great for another 800 rds.

I have also noticed that RL 15 while a great powder, does like to carbon up more than some other powders out there.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I have also noticed that RL 15 while a great powder, does like to carbon up more than some other powders out there.

When my R15 is used up I am switching to N140 or N150 because VV powders simply do not carbon.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

When my R15 is used up I am switching to N140 or N150 because VV powders simply do not carbon.

Ive shot literally hundreds of pounds of vihtavuori powder since it got good around 1997 maybe and out of all the lots ive used ive never seen it not carbon even burning it at 80kpsi- way past where you will. Hope youre the first- good luck! Use it because its the best not because of a rumor that it doesnt carbon and you wont be disappointed

 

[strut64]

I have been struggling with a Shilen barrel. It is an 8 tw, 26" st stl var/tar. I have about 1200 through it. Accuracy is inconsistent, and it fouls quickly now. Most recently, gave it a thorough cleaning with Bore Tech Eliminator then JB. After 26 rounds it was copper fouled. again. I dont know what else to try. I expected longer life.

Great customer service from Shilen.

Follow up report. Sent the barrel to Shilen. They report that the barrel was in fine shape. If the barrel shoots good at times and then not so good, the problem is not the barrel. it is either equipment or me. I have since uncovered what appears to be a problem with the bolt.

Kudoos to Shilen by the way. in addition to the examionation they are relapping the barrel, sharpening the crown, stress relieving, and, also rereaming the chamber a bit. All at no charge except covering shipping. great service.

 

[hogpatrol]

Great customer service from Shilen.

Follow up report. Sent the barrel to Shilen. They report that the barrel was in fine shape. If the barrel shoots good at times and then not so good, the problem is not the barrel. it is either equipment or me. I have since uncovered what appears to be a problem with the bolt.

Kudoos to Shilen by the way. in addition to the examionation they are relapping the barrel, sharpening the crown, stress relieving, and, also rereaming the chamber a bit. All at no charge except covering shipping. great service.

Good to hear. Thanks for the update. I bet it still shoots!

 

[KeithF]

Life is too short to put more than a couple hundred rounds max on a sh**ty barrel

Amen

 

[divingin]

My latest Bartlein is excellent and you cannot hardly get it to copper, even in 243 at blistering speeds. The new Kreiger 6br 13.5 chambered a few weeks back is maybe the smoothest barrel I have felt to date and refuses to copper.

My Krieger 1-13.5" coppered like crazy for about 10 rounds, then tapered off to moderately until round 40, then just quit. I get a slight trace of blue after a 50 round session using Boretech copper remover and a 10 minute soak.

 

[#40Fan]

Great customer service from Shilen.

Follow up report. Sent the barrel to Shilen. They report that the barrel was in fine shape. If the barrel shoots good at times and then not so good, the problem is not the barrel. it is either equipment or me. I have since uncovered what appears to be a problem with the bolt.

Kudoos to Shilen by the way. in addition to the examionation they are relapping the barrel, sharpening the crown, stress relieving, and, also rereaming the chamber a bit. All at no charge except covering shipping. great service.

Any follow ups since?

 

[strut64]

Any follow ups since?

Follow up to my original post about my frustrations with a 6BR. I had suspected the Shilen barrel and sent it in to them. See above about the excellent service and advice I got from them.

Since the barrel has come back, I have had 2 range sessions. In both cases I have shot some great groups. Today, I shot the best group I have ever shot. The real problem I have convinced myself is that the original bolt that came with the rifle seems to have worn out.

I replaced the following parts on the original bolt; bolt head, front baffle , bolt body, and would have also replaced the retaining pin but it is on back order. The only defect I could find with the original bolt was that the through hole for the pin was very sloppy. The result was that the bolt head was noticably loose and wobbly and the retaining pin was very loose. In fact the pin could fall out.
Go figure. I have never heard of a bolt wearing out, but there it is.

 

[steve123]

Follow up to my original post about my frustrations with a 6BR. I had suspected the Shilen barrel and sent it in to them. See above about the excellent service and advice I got from them.

Since the barrel has come back, I have had 2 range sessions. In both cases I have shot some great groups. Today, I shot the best group I have ever shot. The real problem I have convinced myself is that the original bolt that came with the rifle seems to have worn out.

I replaced the following parts on the original bolt; bolt head, front baffle , bolt body, and would have also replaced the retaining pin but it is on back order. The only defect I could find with the original bolt was that the through hole for the pin was very sloppy. The result was that the bolt head was noticably loose and wobbly and the retaining pin was very loose. In fact the pin could fall out.
Go figure. I have never heard of a bolt wearing out, but there it is.

This was a Savage then?

 

[strut64]

This was a Savage then?

Yes.

 

[#40Fan]

Is your wavy spring washer installed between the body and head?

 

[fm1947]

I have won many 200 to 300 matches with shilen 6BR s, and they lasted about 2500 rounds all shot 1/4 moa

 

[#40Fan]

I replaced the following parts on the original bolt; bolt head, front baffle , bolt body, and would have also replaced the retaining pin but it is on back order.

http://www.gunshack.com/savage-parts/savage-bolt-head-retaining-pin

 

[jbhotrod]

I have had good ones and short life ones .
Never had a Bad Krieger, Obermeyer , Brux
or JB from Portland ...

JB barrels? Are they cut or button? Got a site link?

 

[ratbuster]

Is your wavy spring washer installed between the body and head?

What happens if the spring is installed between the baffle and the head instead of between baffle and body like it's supposed to be?

 

[#40Fan]

I was just asking to make sure it was installed.