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New US Made M14 Lothar Walther barrels with ICR rifling for More FPS

LW sent me a test barrel. It's the first US made LW M14 barrel to come out of their US facility. The CEO of LW gave me authorization to mention their new rifling that, as far as I know, is the first time the public will have heard of ICR rifling, boasting faster velocities compared to other offerings. I compared it to conventional 4-groove rifling and a Satern 5R barrel.

This video also shows how a M14 rifle builder would install and headspace a barrel. Accuracy was excellent and comparable to their German made M14 barrels of the past.

Enjoy the video!

 
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They haven't told me what it stands for yet, but they said they will tell me more soon. I was also told this was the first gas gun barrel made with this rifling.

Why do you need one? I don't know if you need one. But I can tell you that for a 308, it means that the 175 grain SMK traveling at 2706 FPS @ the muzzle with a BC of .496 will still be supersonic (1,130 FPS) out to 1,100 yards.

The same bullet traveling at 2650 at the muzzle will be subsonic (1110 FPS) at 1,100 yards, so it gets you another 100 yards when using old-school SMK's and Nosler CC's. M14/M1A shooters are limited to 22" barrels, but if we can get 24" or 26" barrel performance out of our 22" barrels, that can make a difference to the 600 yard or 1,000 yard highpower shooter.

It will be interesting testing other bullets with higher BC's like hybrids, OTM's, VLD's and ELD's

Tony.
 
They haven't told me what it stands for yet, but they said they will tell me more soon. I was also told this was the first gas gun barrel made with this rifling.

Why do you need one? I don't know if you need one. But I can tell you that for a 308, it means that the 175 grain SMK traveling at 2706 FPS @ the muzzle with a BC of .496 will still be supersonic (1,130 FPS) out to 1,100 yards.

The same bullet traveling at 2650 at the muzzle will be subsonic (1110 FPS) at 1,100 yards, so it gets you another 100 yards when using old-school SMK's and Nosler CC's. M14/M1A shooters are limited to 22" barrels, but if we can get 24" or 26" barrel performance out of our 22" barrels, that can make a difference to the 600 yard or 1,000 yard highpower shooter.

It will be interesting testing other bullets with higher BC's like hybrids, OTM's, VLD's and ELD's

Tony.
Not to steer this. I’ve got a rifle with a LRB rear lug m25 receiver, Boroughton barrel 5 groove. It’s in a JAE stock/chassis. I’ve got a load worked up with Sierra 2156 155 Palma bullets and A2495 powder. Velocity is 2750-2740 ES 9-12 and SD 3-4 on 10-20 shot runs. It shoots 1/4 or less moa at 100 yards but opens up to just under 1 moa at 700 yards. It kinda follows this trend. At 600 yards it’s just a little tighter than 700 in MOA. I’m thinking it’s my lack of trigger control. All my bolt guns have 1 lb or less triggers and are 1/2 MOA or better at 700 yards. This is the longest distance I can conveniently shoot. Any advice for tightening up the M1A? The trigger group is refined with stoned engagement surfaces, polished bores and surfaces, Fulton pins and hammer spring. The 1st stage is 2lb 9oz and breaks at 3lb 11oz. The chamber is tight at .001 over the go gauge and has a TRW bolt. It has a unitized gas cylinder and the adjustable gas plug. The barrel isn’t preloaded in the stock but with the 100 yard groupings, I don’t know if loading the barrel is beneficial.
 
My experience with Lothar Walther's customer service is a disaster. My gunsmith approached them twice within last 5 years with an order for a barrel. The first time they lost the order. The second time they gave unreasonable lead times. I bought Krieger instead and could not be happier.
 
Not to steer this. I’ve got a rifle with a LRB rear lug m25 receiver, Boroughton barrel 5 groove. It’s in a JAE stock/chassis. I’ve got a load worked up with Sierra 2156 155 Palma bullets and A2495 powder. Velocity is 2750-2740 ES 9-12 and SD 3-4 on 10-20 shot runs. It shoots 1/4 or less moa at 100 yards but opens up to just under 1 moa at 700 yards. It kinda follows this trend. At 600 yards it’s just a little tighter than 700 in MOA. I’m thinking it’s my lack of trigger control. All my bolt guns have 1 lb or less triggers and are 1/2 MOA or better at 700 yards. This is the longest distance I can conveniently shoot. Any advice for tightening up the M1A? The trigger group is refined with stoned engagement surfaces, polished bores and surfaces, Fulton pins and hammer spring. The 1st stage is 2lb 9oz and breaks at 3lb 11oz. The chamber is tight at .001 over the go gauge and has a TRW bolt. It has a unitized gas cylinder and the adjustable gas plug. The barrel isn’t preloaded in the stock but with the 100 yard groupings, I don’t know if loading the barrel is beneficial.
How do you know the difference in group size [in MOA] at 600 and 700 isn't due to wind?
 
They haven't told me what it stands for yet, but they said they will tell me more soon. I was also told this was the first gas gun barrel made with this rifling.

Why do you need one? I don't know if you need one. But I can tell you that for a 308, it means that the 175 grain SMK traveling at 2706 FPS @ the muzzle with a BC of .496 will still be supersonic (1,130 FPS) out to 1,100 yards.

The same bullet traveling at 2650 at the muzzle will be subsonic (1110 FPS) at 1,100 yards, so it gets you another 100 yards when using old-school SMK's and Nosler CC's. M14/M1A shooters are limited to 22" barrels, but if we can get 24" or 26" barrel performance out of our 22" barrels, that can make a difference to the 600 yard or 1,000 yard highpower shooter.

It will be interesting testing other bullets with higher BC's like hybrids, OTM's, VLD's and ELD's

Tony.
I just got some of the Sierra 2277 177 Matchking closed nose. I’m going to get working on a load. The BC is .545. They look identical to the 2156 155 Palma except the bearing surface is longer. They measure 1.320. Here’s my M1A.
IMG_3668.jpeg
 

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