Barrett MRAD

[wboggs]

Anyone using one in .308 with a 1:8 tw barrel? Would appreciate your experience with it. I was surprised to see all .30 cals, from 300 Norma to .308 lised with 1:8 twist.
Thanks

 

[DaveTooley]

It didn't make any sense to me when the decision was made. Not even with the NM since they're shooting 215 Berger's. Lots of RPM's but I haven't heard of any horror stories YET. Maybe because of some special purpose rounds.

 

[wboggs]

So, I'm glad I'm not the only one who questions it. I can think of no resonable bullet that a .308 capacity case could be used for requiring a 1-8. At least the 300 Norma and PRC could utilize the 250 class.
The factory told me that it was a military spec required to get the contract. Maybe they are aware of some new laws of physics not yet known to others.
Do you know who supplies the barrels for Barrett?
Thanks
Bill

 

[Walt Krafft]

Subsonic 308 likes a 8t

 

[wboggs]

What weight bullet in this load?

 

[Walt Krafft]

Mine use the 240smk. Got no idea what the special ops guys have up their sleeve. I am just pointing out there are reasons for a fast twist 308.

 

[wboggs]

Also, the MRAD is a bolt. The .308 will probably require a longer barrel than 300 Blackout. Lots of disadvantages even in an AR10 platform trying to make the 7.62 into a do everything load with 1000 fps loads.
Just my thoughts

 

[Ned Ludd]

When Desert Tactical Arms (now Desert Tech) first came out with their SRS Covert, the barrel they offered was a 16" 8-twist. I have one and it works just fine with both commercial ammunition and handloads. However, velocities aren't all that high due to the short barrel length. I've run monolithic solids from long 8-twist barrels (30"), but they are a different animal as compared to traditional lead core bullets in that they have no jacket to fail. Not sure I'd be happy about having to run .30 cal bullets out of an 8-twist barrel in .308 Win. I expect the 17" barreled MRAD .308 Win version ought to be so close to the 16"-barreled SRS Covert, and the 24" barreled MRAD version barrel may not be long enough to cause issues due to the excessive twist rate. Time will tell. Regardless, unless one is running copper monolithics, an 8-twist simply isn't necessary with any bullet one is likely to be running out of a .308 Win case

 

[wboggs]

Thanks for your thoughts. My sentiments exactly. Monos require either very deep seating or a very long specialized chamber and a long oal. Good luck firing conventional bullets in that.
No one has come up with a good reason for the 1-8 yet. So far the Barrett engineering dept. is the last man standing. Are you out there?

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[DaveTooley]

Thanks for your thoughts. My sentiments exactly. Monos require either very deep seating or a very long specialized chamber and a long oal. Good luck firing conventional bullets in that.
No one has come up with a good reason for the 1-8 yet. So far the Barrett engineering dept. is the last man standing. Are you out there?

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Barrett didn't make that decision. It was made prior to the ASR competition and written into the specs.

 

[wboggs]

Barrett didn't make that decision. It was made prior to the ASR competition and written into the specs.

Thanks for the clarification. One of my buddies has an older 1-10 22". They are no longer offered in 1-10 so it appears something changed