Bartlein Barrels, LSR and the 6BR are Unbelievable!!!!

[6BR]

I went to the range today to break in my Bartlein Barrel on my new Long Shot Rifles ,LSR) built custom 6BR. I did the shoot 1 and clean step twice and there was now copper at all. I went ahead and did the shoot 3 and clean step three times for the hell of it, and once again there was nothing. I have never had a barrel like this in my shooting career. It was freakin unbelievable. I have used Krieger, Hart and Lilja Barrels and though they broke in pretty quick too, there was know comparison to the easy break in of the Bartlien.

Also, I did some initial load testing and the groups were awesome too.
Using the 105grn Lapua Scenars, I shot three 5 shot groups at 100 yards that measured .200, .253 with the best being .172.
Using the 87grn V-Max, I shot two 5 shot groups at 100 yards that measured .276 and .291. I am pretty darn happy right now. I am in love with the 6BR. This is my first time owning one and it is AWESOME to shoot.

I can't say enough about The Gunsmith who built the rifle, he builds on AWESOME rifle, his name is Chris Matthews of Long Shot Rifles,LSR). The rifle is a TACK driver.

 

[Forum Boss]

6BR,

Glad to hear the report. We've been telling people that a 6BR can be the "fast track" to quarter-MOA accuracy from 100 yards to 600 and beyond. Glad the Scenars are working for you--my PacNor barrel,0.236 land) likes 'em too.

You're also getting much better accuracy with the 87s than I ever did so it sounds like you have a "winner" barrel.

You're not the first to report that Chris at Long Shot built a tack-driver.

 

[6BR]

Moderator, I too, was surprised buy the 87grn V-Max's performance. When I was deciding on the Barrel, I had a bunch of people tell me to go with a Bartlein Barrel. I am so glad I did!

I am going to try the 90grn Lapua Scenars and 95grn Bergers next. I am trying to find the most accurate bullet for varmint hunting. The varmints I shoot are the California Ground Squirrel. I am thinking 90grn Scenars and 95grn Bergers will be more accurate than the 87grn V-Max's. I know the splat factor with the 87grn V-Max is awesome, but I heard the 95grn Berger does a pretty good job with the splat factor, too. I have heard the 90grn Scenar is super super accurate, however, I have not heard how well it does on small varmints.

I am just so impressed with the 6BR. I have shot small groups before from a .223, 22-250, 6x284 and 6.5x284, but it took me a little while to get them to shoot in the .2's. But the first time out, with the 6BR, during break in, and I am shooting groups in the .1's and .2's. One word explains the 6BR, Awesome!!!!

 

[tenring]

What twist and how many grooves in the Bartlien?

 

[Travelor]

How about a description of the gun and possibly a picture or two.

 

[fdshuster]

6BR: The 6BR is going to "spoil" you. In my case, all other 6mms' are in the "runner up" category. Clearly my favorite cartridge. Glad to hear your results w/ the 87 V-Max/ most of the V-Max are favorites, but the 87 was one of the very few I could not get to shoot, in several 6mm caliber rifles. Care to share your powder & charge? I have a few left, and would give them another try in my 1-9.25, maybe too slow of a twist for the 87 V-Max: they are loooong).

 

[Twud]

I've had the same experience with my 6BR and a Krieger barrel. I can't get it to copper foul. I gave it a half-hearted break in routine and wasn't getting any copper. So I said to hell with it and shot a 3 shot group that measured .218. This is without any load development, just a load I pullled out of the book. I shot another group of 3 with a match bullet .187. After these 6 shots I cleaned the bore and still no copper.
I think I'm gonna' like this.

 

[6BR]

Fdshuster-Here is the load I found that worked well for the 87grn V-Max;
1. Lapua Brass with .002 neck tension
2. CCI 450 Primer
3. 87grn V-Max
4. Powder-Varget with a 31.3 charge
5. C.O.A.L-2.250

Travelor-Here is a description of the rifle and a picture can be seen on Long Shot Rifles web page. Its the Black 6BR in the long rang hunting photo gallery. It's the first rifle in the gallery. Here are the specs;
1. 6BR Match Chamber for Lapua Brass with a no-turn .272 neck.
2. Stiller Predator Single Shot Short Action
3. Badger Bolt Knob
4. Bartlein Stainless Steel, 28", 1-8 twist, 236 bore, 5R groove, 1.250 straight taper and fluted, throated with a .100 lead.
5. Manners T4A Stock with adjustable cheek piece, color flat black.
6. Jewel Trigger set at 2oz
7. Vais Muzzle Brake
8. Stiller 20 MOA Rail
9. Nightforce 30mm rings
10. Nightforce NXS 8x32x56 with MLR reticle
11. All metal coated with a flat black Cerecoat
12. Total weight of rifle is 18 pounds. It is very steady and works well from the bags and off the bi-pod.
Also, IMO, the Manners T4A Stock feels and works better than the A-5. I have owned an A-5 and it's a great stock, however, the Manners T4A is much better in IMO. If your thinking about building a new varmint rig, I would HIGHLY recommed all the above mentioned componets. I also highly recommend Chris Matthews of Long Shot Rifles to build your rifle

Tenring-the twist is 1-8 and the groove is a 5R.

If you all have anymore questions, feel free to ask.

 

[squirrelduster]

Good shootin 6br.
I have not shot the bigger bullets in mine but the 75 vmax is getting the same groups as you are.
I have a Hart 1:8 in mine and every bullet I have tried shoots better than the best I could shoot with my 22-250.
Sure makes those long shots a lot easier when you have the right equipment.

 

[6BR]

Squirrelduster, thanks for the comments. I was thinking about trying the 75grn V-Max bullets, too. However, I think I want to use bullets with more BC. I am willing to give up splat factor for accuracy. I am going to try out the 105grn A-Max, I have heard they do a pretty good job when in comes to red mist. I am also going to try the 95grn Berger VLD's, I heard the splat factor with this bullet is pretty descent. I am also going to try the 90grn Lapua Scenar, I've been told this bullet is super accurate. Have any of you guys tried the 95grn VLD's on small varmints? and if so, did you get any splat. Like I said, I will be shooting the California Ground squirrel. All the bullets listed above will kill the nasty little vermin with ease but it would be nice to see them do some gymnastics. When it comes to shooting Coyotes, I will use the 87grn V-Max for sure.

 

[6BR]

By the way, thanks to whom ever put the picture up of my rifle. Yes, that is my new rig, and she is awesome.

 

[HTSmith]

My rifle shoots the old 80 Gr Fowlers better than anything. The 75 Gr Hornady's are just behind for a lot less $. Mine shoots the 105-107's pretty good but they took a lot more load development.

 

[fdshuster]

6BR: Noted your 87 gr. V-Max load combo: thank you. I have all the listed "parts", never tried CCI450 or that charge weight of Varget, but will load & try your "recipe", while understanding that all rifles are different, and there is no "guarantee" it will work in mine. Thank you for sharing. First break in the weather & I'll give it a try at 300 yds.

 

[Forum Boss]

Try the Berger 80s also. These hammer in my 8-twist 6BR with N135, but I'm sure other powders would work. I had them seated about .010 into the lands.

 

[6BR]

How do the 95grn Bergers work on Varmints?

 

[js223]

6BR, that sure is a fine rifle. Glad your project came out so well for you.

 

[6BR]

JS223, Thanks for the kind comments. The picture does not do it justice. I will try to put some better pictures up soon along with pictures of some groups. I will be testing the 105grn A-Max's this weekend. I will let you know how it turns out. I also want to test the 95grn VLD Begers. However, I have been trying to get some info on how they perform on small varmints, before I start dong load development. I have heard the 105grn A-Max's produce excellent splat factor. The 95grn VLD has better BC .514 and can be shot faster, however, I need to find out how they work in the field on small varmints like Pdogs and Squirrels.