On the fence--6mms and barrels

[rstreich]

I've got two 6mm barrels sitting here waiting on two BAT actions--an SV and an MB. The SV was going to become a 6BR with a Krieger 1-10 and the MB a 6/284 with a Broughton 1-8 5C. Both barrels are HV taper to finish at 26". To finish the rifles off, both are likely to go on Shehane Tracker II Varmint stocks. These two rifles are destined to become my anything-past-500-yard PD guns.

As I'm stuck waiting on the BAT actions to arrive, however, I'm reconsidering the barrels. I was thinking of moving the 8-twist Broughton to the 6BR and buying a new TBD 8-twist for the 6/284 with a longer finish length--something in the 28"-30" range.

I originally went with the 10-twist Krieger 'cause I wanted to focus on 87 gr. V-Max bullets,no ricochets, great expansion) and I could use BIB 95s for a higher accuracy bullet. However,
I'm reconsidering as I'm giving in to the lure of shooting heavier bullets in the 6BR and I was wishing I had gotten a longer barrel for the 6/284.

So, this is kind of a "What would you do if you were me?" set of questions:

- Longer barrel for the 6/284? If so, what length and taper?

Jeez, as I'm typing this out I'm answering some of my own questions--I think I should take both of the barrels I currently have and chamber them for the SV in 6BR,although that probably means two different reamers...sigh).

Anyway, what would you do?

thanks, perplexed-by-to-many-options

 

[chuckw2]

Robert,
I have been waiting for a BAT too... 6 long months.....

When I ordered the action, I was told 4 months,,,,,

Now I am told a couple of weeks...

We'll see.

Chuck

 

[WayneShaw]

Let me tell you, that BAT does their best to meet what they say for delivery time. Stuff happens and things run a little late sometimes. They have been pretty good in my opinion.

By contrast, in getting a Farley action, I experienced what I consider unreasonable delays.

[Edited by Moderator for content]

 

[JamesNC]

I to have been waitng on BAT Ordered in last of Aug of 05 told first of year everytime I call back all I get is Soon. I don't mind the wait I just wish they would tell the truth. People will wait on quaility my problem is my brother in law and others have gotten there action Same model and I must still wait because mine is a left bolt. And all theres were ordered after mine.

James

 

[Aussie_bob]

rstreich,
I see no one has even tried to adress your barrel decissions just haveing a whinge about their own action problems.
Have you thought of getting the longer barrel for the 6x284 and just hang on to the 1 in 8.5 till you see how things perform that way you can either chamber in 6br or the 6x284 later if you find the need.
Never have too many blank barrels on hand, and if you find you don`t need it one of the gentlemen on here will buy it off you im sure.

 

[ALO]

RSTReich, I'll try to address your barrel question. I believe that no matter what type of barrel you get in the quickie twist 6mm to build a 6-284, you are going to buzz out that barrel in about 900 to 1200 rounds. I had a 1-8 twist Hart barrel and made it into a 6-284. It was an exceptionally accurate rifle but at the end of the 2nd season of competition shooting, the accuracy really started to go to hell in handbasket. It was nice to have but after spending almost 300 bucks for the barrel, I was sorry to see it go. I do not load up my ammo to the max and it was pretty disappointing. Along with 6mm BR consider having a 30 BR built. You will love the accuracy. It keeps up with most ppcs using Randy Robinett's 118 grainers.

AL O

 

[rstreich]

If I do order another barrel, it does make better sense to wait and do nothing with the extra barrel. If I'm sick of all the noise, fast-draining powder jugs, and barrel consumption from the 6-284, I can make it something else. If not, well, I'll likely need it sooner rather than later.

Or, I could just order another BAT action...

If I were to go with a longer barrel, would anyone go with a smaller taper?

Thanks for getting the thread back on track, guys,

robert

 

[Aussie_bob]

Im with AOL get a 30 cal barrel with 1 in 17 twist chamber in 30BR and shoot it for years barrel makers arn`t going to like it much but while the 6X284 and other barrel burners are about they will still have plenty of work untill someone gets something to work at 1000 yards with long barrel life.

 

[JER]

they will still have plenty of work untill someone gets something to work at 1000 yards with long barrel life.

That would be the 308 Winchester.

 

[65fan]

I would use the 26in 1/8 twist for the 6br and get another 6mm 1/8 barrel 28-30" long for the 6/284.For the 6/284 I would use pretty fat barrel for better cooling.

 

[Aussie_bob]

JER,
What sort of barrel life are they getting out of the 308 Winchester shooting 1000 yard matches.

 

[joesr]

With the 308 you can expect 3500 rounds from a barrel. Some barrel will last up to 5000 rounds, but they are few and far between.

As far as a good 1000 yard cartridge with good barrel life.

The 243 will get you 3000 rounds from most barrels if it is shot with slow burning, single based powders and given that you keep the throat smooth with a polishing compound.

Using H1000 or N165 you can get 3000 fps from the 107 or 115. Every 200 to 400 rounds work the throat with JB or a simular compound. The barrel will last.

I've been doing this for over 10 years and it does work.

Joe H

 

[paulT]

joesr, would vit n160 with lapua 90 and 105 scenars be as good as 165, and would you get same barrel life, also when cleaning barrel would benchrest copper solvent on its own provide enough cleaning to maintan accuracy, and how often do you use bronze brush, im i right in saying that bronze brush should only be used from chamber to muzzel and not back and forth like a patch, many thanks paul T,

 

[joesr]

Paul,

First off the choice of powder is not by brand, but by chemical makeup and burning speed. N160 will do a good job, but it is not as good as N165 for the simple reason that is burns slightly faster.

I would think that the barrel life will be good with N160, but possibly you will loose several hundred rounds, maybe not.

I am shooting 70 gr. sierra bullets with H1000 because I want the powder to burn down the entire length of the barrel. I am getting great accuracy and good velocity doing this.

But, yes, N160 should work fine, just not as good to promote barrel life.

On the note of bench-rest copper cleaner....I am sure it will clean the barrel fine. However, it will still be necessary to use a polishing compound to smooth the throat area. You see, the polishing compound is intended to clean the barrel, but to smooth out the rough spots for barrel ware and fire cracking. This is absolutely necessary. If you do not polish the throat of the barrel you will end up with rough edges that are removed faster by the bullets and your barrels life will be significantly impacted.

Your description of the use of a bronze brush is what I used to do shooting small-bore. The reason we did this was to keep the dirt from coming back into the action. However, with High-power rifles this is not the case as our bore guides seal in the chamber. I brush the heck out of my barrel every time I clean it. Back an forth about 40 strokes after 4 wet patches. Then I clean it out with wet patches until the dirt is gone and let it soak until the copper is gone from the patches.


I hope this helps.

Joe Hendricks

 

[paulT]

joe, I forgot to mention that i shoot mollyed bullets only in my 243, would cleaning with benchrest solvent and say jb paste every 250 or so be enough, many thanks, paul T.