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Opinion on barrel rifling

Going to change out my 6.5 CM barrel. Have options for 4R, 5R and 6R.

Is there any benifit to less or more lands in the barrel rifling?.
 
I have used both 4 and 5 grove barrels. I can't see any difference on the target, so I won't pay more for a 5R.

Some have told me that 5R barrels are easier to clean, but after going through ten barrels, I can say that is not true. One 260 barrel that was particularly difficult to clean the copper was a 5R. I check my rifles with a borescope after I clean it.

Joe
Hello Joe! There are some benefits to having 5R rifling, however, I believe they more pertain to certain cartridges shooting L-O-N-G for caliber bullets. I think this also pertains to L-O-N-G shot strings during competitive matches. Four (4) groove conventional rifling has sharp edges and each land is directly opposite of another land. Five R rifling has an alternate land and across from it a groove, with "rounded edges" on the lands. The 4 groove opposing lands will exert more pressure on the bullets and the sharp edges can cut into the jacket rather than "denting" it like 5R does. I believe that those two concepts reduces friction considerably, thus minimizing possible blow-ups. Additionally, I have seen certain cartridges using long-for-caliber bullets cause bullet problems in flight. The 6 Creedmore, 6 x 47 Lapua, 6 Competiton-Match etc..etc.and the like can push 115 DTACs or 110SMKs well past 3100f.p.s. with either H4350 or RL-16. Shooting long shot strings during competition, with 4 groove conventional rifling can cause bullet failure. I have not seen that activity with 5R rifling. Having said all that Joe, unless you ARE shooting long bullets, with a super fast i.e.7 twist, in a competitive match with 20-25 shots in less than 30 minutes, I doubt you would need nor see the difference between the two styles>>>but I have shot long bullets in those cartridges and the 150SMKs in the 6.5 x 284 and had bullet failure during competition!
 
I recommend you have rifling in the barrel.

I recommend you spend according to what you expect to receive.

That's about it.
 
Ben,
I agree with you on the L-O-N-G bullets. 5R may help and will not hurt those shooting the long bullets. But on advice of Larry B. I gave up on the Berger 195 EOL and never looked back.

Joe
I believe that Larry dispenses very good advice! Look at his track record>>>very difficult to debate against super success!
 
If there’s a perceivable difference on paper, I haven’t been able to find it. I buy what’s in stock. I might go with 5R if I were going to shoot bullets that are known to blow up (90 gr Berger .224s) because in theory the rifling should be a little gentler on the jacket, but even that is more theoretical speculation than proven fact.
 

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