We as shooters mourn the death of a great barrel much like we do the death of a favorite pet. For the last six seasons, I have shot a Bartlein Gain Twist barrel (8.25 to 7.75) in our monthly 600 yard matches. It was chambered by Billy Stevens in 6mm Dasher and has at least 11 wins and has set the range record. It resides on a BAT Model B action in a Terry Leonard stock. In the last two matches, it has performed okay but in both I finished second. Since there are over 2000 rounds down the tube, I am beginning to wonder if it has seen better days. I hate to see this old war horse give up the ghost....it is probably the best barrel that I have ever owned and I don't think that it can be replaced. In February, I think that I will try my other barrel chambered in Dasher. It is of another make and I do have one win with it. Here's hoping that I can make this newer barrel shoot like the old Bartlein. Good shooting to all...James Mock
How to know when a barrel has seen its better days?
- Thread starter JDMock
- Start date
JoeMcNeill
Silver $$ Contributor
James,
Are you using the same lot of bullets, same lot of powder, same cases? If everything else is the same, then the barrel is suspect. Do you have
a bore scope to check the throat and lands? I would think that your fellow shooters are happy that your barrel may be loosing it's edge!
Regards,
Joe McNeill
SW Arkansas
Are you using the same lot of bullets, same lot of powder, same cases? If everything else is the same, then the barrel is suspect. Do you have
a bore scope to check the throat and lands? I would think that your fellow shooters are happy that your barrel may be loosing it's edge!
Regards,
Joe McNeill
SW Arkansas
No, I have not used the same lot or brand of bullets. I have used Bart's new 105's (only one match), Berger 105 Hybrids, Berger 105 VLD's, and 108 BT's. Also, I have shot Hornady A-max, Sierra 107 MKs, and a few of Don Lahr's 95 VLD. I haven't won with all of these but they have all shown good accuracy in this barrel. Also, I have shot Varget, RL 15, and H4895 with Varget being the preferred powder. I have not looked at the barrel through a borescope (afraid to do so!) James
Attachments
When they start throwing shots out of the group. It starts out leaking one out and getting bigger. Then it throws more out. Usually a rechamber will bring it back. You have to see how much needs cut off. Also the second time they don't last as long. I have had a dasher go south in 300 rounds and another goo in 500 rounds. They both lost a piece or a hole developed in the throat. You won't get what you get out of a PPC. The neck is short and if you shoot it fast it gets hard on throats. Matt
I do not shoot BenchRest, however, I do shoot F-Open.. If I have a barrel that, say at 600 yards, "generally" will net me in the "Mid-30's" for "X Count" and it starts to drop every match, it has seen it's best days are behind it. I have also had 1 barrel just absolutely quit shooting. It went from "nice tight X-Ring" shots to "I could not keep it in the 10 Ring". However, that is probably not the norm..
dmoran
Donovan Moran
When I'm in doubt, I re-chamber and cut a fresh crown on.
Re-chambered one 6Dasher barrel that I won a bunch with at 2000, and again at 3000, and again at 3800.
Retired it at +4600 and it won its last outing as well. Now I use it for a comparison test barrel.
On a note: I fit them to the same index, when I re-chamber.
Donovan
Re-chambered one 6Dasher barrel that I won a bunch with at 2000, and again at 3000, and again at 3800.
Retired it at +4600 and it won its last outing as well. Now I use it for a comparison test barrel.
On a note: I fit them to the same index, when I re-chamber.
Donovan
Jim,,,are your scores getting worse ,,or are you just getting beat by some young whipper snapper ???,,since I broke my neck my hands hardly work ,,,I am so slow that it goes from rain to snow and to flowers popping out of the ground while I shoot my group,,,,shurely you have more than one bbl,,,change it and see what happens,,,if your still getting beat,,put ole' betsy bak on and shoot it till you die,,,,Roger
PS,,,for goodness sake,,,just take it to a 100 yd range and shoot 10-12 shots with your fav load,,,it will tell the tale ,,,dont wonder if it is you or the gun at 1000 yds ..!!!!
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Roger, I think that I am getting beat by a better shooter who has a better barrel
. I am not sure about the barrel but I know that I have been beat many times by shooters who can read the wind. Good shooting...JamesMine didn't just go bad it die . It went from shooting 19 straight x to a ugly 10 . The last 5 Was over 3'' . LarryRoger, I think that I am getting beat by a better shooter who has a better barrel
James,
As you don't have a easy access to a bore scope and the barrel appears to have given up the ghost, my thought is to take a new bronze bore brush w/chemicals and scrub the barrel especially at the throat.
Ben
As you don't have a easy access to a bore scope and the barrel appears to have given up the ghost, my thought is to take a new bronze bore brush w/chemicals and scrub the barrel especially at the throat.
Ben
The groups tend to become rings, X count drops and shots are off call. That is the rpfirst sig. I've seen shooters walk off the line with a score of 198 and rebarrel the next week. But the shots were off call.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
At 2000rds id say youve got your moneys worth
just trying to interject a little humor to the OPs initial question. I pulled the photo off the internet. I don't run hot loads. Not my gun!I put 6000 rounds thru a barrel that I shot a lot of 3X600 mid range matches with. I did a plot of the scores and then did a trend line thru the scores. Even though there was significant variability in the data there was a significant correlation of round count with score. This is something that is easy to do with XL and if you have experience in using these analysis tools it may help with your decision. A lot of good barrels are blamed and removed when a poor score is not the fault of the barrel.
I have access to a Hawkeye but I am afraid to look
. James
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