Help with bolt action 20 Practical barrel selection

[Bachekermooni]

I am looking to re-barrel my CZ 527 223 Rem to a 20 Practical. I want a 20" barrel - maybe as long as a 22", no longer.
Looking at Lilja and Krieger. The former is 3 groove, the later 6 groove. Which is batter (e.g. more accurate, better speed, easier to clean, ...).
Also the twist rate - 12 or 11? I will be shooting primarily 32 gr Vmax. But might go for a 40 gr if 32 not avail. According to JBM, the 40 is marginal with 12s.
Finally the contour. I want a walking varminter. Hate lugging heavy stuff around. There currently #1 Lilja and #7 Krieger in inventory. Which should I select?

Perhaps I should order the right contour and twist and just wait. Your ideal barrel recommendation???

Please share your actual experience with these. Thanks.

 

[TAJ45]

With those choices....ELEVEN TW...for sure. I've yet to hear of any inaccuracies relating to 3groove vs 6 groove.

 

[GLShooter]

I'd go with a 10 if I could and 11 if no choice. I've carried the CZ 527 204 a bunch and don't find that barrel overly burdensome. Whatever is closest would be my call.

I feel the three will be marginally faster but not enough to get the farm on. I've shot a lot of 3 groove tubes with great results but quite honestly I doubt if it is magic.

You'll love the Practical. I just got a 24" five groove true polygon REMAGE barrel from Tactical Ordnance in St. Helens and will shoot it next week. I've been shooting an AR Practical for years and have been very happy with it. Do not overlook the 35 grain Berger in your efforts.

I also shoot the 20TAC, the 204, the 20X6.8 nd the 20 LBC. To say I love the 20 is an understatement. I have a 20-250 Savage tube that I haven't had time to give any love to yet.

Greg

 

[Mark M.]

PacNor Super Match 11 twist

 

[TAJ45]

^^^^^^^ I like.

 

[L.Sherm]

3G 11

 

[SShooterZ]

I would definitely go 11 twist. The gents on Saubier like Pac-Nor and Shilen but I think you’re probably good to go with any premium barrel manufacture.

 

[Bachekermooni]

Thanks. I love Pac-Nor as well. I have a Super Match 3G 6mm 8 TW #2 chambered in 6 AR that shoots in low 2's. For an antelope rifle that is darn good. I called them today. They are at least 6 months out :-(

 

[Bachekermooni]

Thanks. My gut says the same.

 

[Bachekermooni]

I'd go with a 10 if I could and 11 if no choice. I've carried the CZ 527 204 a bunch and don't find that barrel overly burdensome. Whatever is closest would be my call.

I feel the three will be marginally faster but not enough to get the farm on. I've shot a lot of 3 groove tubes with great results but quite honestly I doubt if it is magic.

You'll love the Practical. I just got a 24" five groove true polygon REMAGE barrel from Tactical Ordnance in St. Helens and will shoot it next week. I've been shooting an AR Practical for years and have been very happy with it. Do not overlook the 35 grain Berger in your efforts.

I also shoot the 20TAC, the 204, the 20X6.8 nd the 20 LBC. To say I love the 20 is an understatement. I have a 20-250 Savage tube that I haven't had time to give any love to yet.

Greg

Thanks Greg. Was your 527 204 standard or varmint profile?

 

[Bachekermooni]

Everyone - what barrel profile? I will be putting this rig in the Boyd's Barracuda stock - my favorite.

 

[L.Sherm]

I like the Varment profile for the 527.

 

[flatlander]

I used a Krieger #4 contour on the CZ527 7.62x39 carbine that I re-barreled in 6RAT a few years ago. Finished that barrel at 24", and felt it was an ideal walking varmint rig with that barrel. I'd order a blank in that same contour and wait for it before compromising and buying something that really isn't what I need/want.

My two 20 Tactical builds were done using a couple of 1-9tw blanks I found on Bartlein's inventory list several years ago. The lighter one was a #2 contour that I finished at 24" on a Howa Mini action; the heavier one is a #3 that I finished at 25" on a trued M700 short action. They both shoot 32, 39/40, and 55gr bullets with fine accuracy, and neither rifle is heavier than I'm comfortable with. If I hadn't been so interested in shooting the Berger 55gr LRBT bullets, I'd probably have gone with either a 10 or 11 twist bbl.

 

[B23]

I like the Varment profile for the 527.

Me too. The CZ 527 Varmint model is kind of a bull sporter contour or maybe it should be called the Goldilocks contour because it's not to big and not to small it's just right.

 

[yotehater]

I went with a PacNor Super Match 3 groove 22" in their Light Weight Sporter contour for my walker. I debated on a 20" but decided I wanted that extra burn space.

 

[jpx2rk]

I have a X caliber 20P barrel 10T, on a R783 action, the muzzle measures around .8" at the muzzle, Shoots better than I can, shoots anything from 26g up to 40g with pdog accuracy. Gun is on the heavy side, but I don't plan carrying far. LOL

 

[Bachekermooni]

I used a Krieger #4 contour on the CZ527 7.62x39 carbine that I re-barreled in 6RAT a few years ago. Finished that barrel at 24", and felt it was an ideal walking varmint rig with that barrel. I'd order a blank in that same contour and wait for it before compromising and buying something that really isn't what I need/want.

My two 20 Tactical builds were done using a couple of 1-9tw blanks I found on Bartlein's inventory list several years ago. The lighter one was a #2 contour that I finished at 24" on a Howa Mini action; the heavier one is a #3 that I finished at 25" on a trued M700 short action. They both shoot 32, 39/40, and 55gr bullets with fine accuracy, and neither rifle is heavier than I'm comfortable with. If I hadn't been so interested in shooting the Berger 55gr LRBT bullets, I'd probably have gone with either a 10 or 11 twist bbl.

Beautiful rifle. Thanks for the advise.

 

[Bachekermooni]

Everyone - thanks for all you help. I just ordered a CZ Varmint profile barrel from Lilja - only 12 weeks lead time. I wanted a P-N one, but 6 months ... It is SS, 1-11", 3G, 1" shaft for 2.5" and then straight to 0.680 at 28". Bullets, bushings, powder funnel, 204 R seating stem ordered

 

[B23]

You made a good purchase because Lilja makes some of the best 17 and 20 cal barrels out there so I'm sure you'll be more than satisfied with it.

 

[GLShooter]

Thanks Greg. Was your 527 204 standard or varmint profile?

Mine are both the Varmint but these are light compared to the Remington versions. They are just enough heavier than a sporter weight and I like the slight muzzle heaviness.

Greg

BTW I'm not a very big guy at 5'10" and 155 . I'm also 71 years old so don't have the stamina and strength of some of the young studs on here.