.218 vs .219 .224 Barrel

[cjames]

Could anyone tell me why you would go .218 vs .219 Groove barrel? Most barrels I see are .219 but, the cut barrels are offering .218. I just bought a Krieger 8 twist Rem Var contour, which is .218 that will be chambered in .223 Rem, and was wondering why the difference.

 

[WSnyder]

I have no direct experience but from what I've seen/read if you are using a .223 in F class using heavies, fast twists like 6.5-7 and long barrels the cut rifled .218 has had tendencies to blow up bullets. In shorter length more common use rifles the .218's in 7 or slower twist seem to do fine. I have a project coming up that will use a 20-22" 7T .218 Krieger in 22CM so we'll see.

 

[Ned Ludd]

If you have the choice, use a 0.219" bore. There isn't a good reason NOT to use a 0.219" bore. The 0.218" bore will not outperform a 0.219" in any way shape, or form. Having said that, if a 0.218" bore is what you have, it should work just fine unless you intend to push heavy (85-95 gr) bullets with stout loads in long-barreled setups (i.e 28"+), such as are commonly found in .223 Rem F-TR rifles. In that event, the 0.218" bore has been associated with a higher rate jacket failures. It's a friction thing. However, with shorter barrels and lighter bullets (i.e. shorter bearing surfaces), the 0.218" bore shouldn't be an issue in terms of jacket failure.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I had a custom .218 Krieger 1/7 barrel on a AR15, when I first tested it I was getting mad fast velocities high pressure and blown primers. I had to load a bit lower but it would give some of my bolt rifles a run for their money as far as accuracy was concerned. I would not hesitate to get another.

Since you already own it use it, just pick a chamber that will work with the
bullets you intend to use.

 

[cjames]

I bought this barrel because it was in stock at Krieger. I figured, can't go wrong with a Krieger. To order a barrel its 6-14 months depending on manufacture. The initial plan was a Brux (9 months). The barrel will be 24" built on a trued 700 action bedded in a HS MilSpec Stock. I have a lot 69 SMK's and plenty of Benchmark, H4895, and Varget. Hopefully I can get a load to shoot. I should know in about 3 weeks. Thank y'all for the info.

 

[Jeff Porter]

Keep it clean and JB it at least every 500 rounds. They will make a thin jacket match bullet go poof if you push them too hard in a rough barrel with that bore.