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Opinions on Lothar-Walther barrels?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BigDMT
  • Start date Start date

BigDMT

Anybody have experience with the button rifled Lothar barrels? Specifically in bolt action rifles.

How do Lothar barrels stack up to top barrel makers like Krieger, Brux, Hart, etc for accuracy and copper fouling?

Appreciate all input and opinions. Thanks.
 
They seem to enjoy a good reputation on ARs. In bolt guns, I don't know. You can find out more here.

http://www.lothar-walther.com/

Phil
 
Phil3 said:
They seem to enjoy a good reputation on ARs. In bolt guns, I don't know. You can find out more here.

http://www.lothar-walther.com/

Phil
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I know they are good AR barrels and have already read everything possible on their website. Specifically looking for bolt action rifle barrel opinions. Thanks Phil.
 
They are hard....more difficult to machine and the US rep is related to Pinocchio....he will promise anything to get a sale.
 
I was wondering about that after reading that they use LW50 (17 4ph) stainless instead of 416R. Good to know. Thanks.
 
LHSmith said:
They are hard....more difficult to machine and the US rep is related to Pinocchio....he will promise anything to get a sale.
Click to expand...

I forgot that. I too have heard they are quite hard. This may add more info.

http://forum.snipershide.com/snipers-hide-bolt-action-rifles/9244-lothar-walther-barrels.html

http://forum.snipershide.com/snipers-hide-bolt-action-rifles/96175-lothar-walther.html This post talks about the sales guy, and LHSmith's comment fits.

Phil
 
Perfect Phil :) I think that thread gave me all the input and info I needed. All claims state that they can be very accurate barrels. Might give one of their 6mm barrels a shot with my upcoming Rem 722 based project. Thanks.
 
Not gonna be a competition rifle. It's for varmints. So if the harder steel lasts longer with continuous shooting in hot temperatures, that's money in the bank ;)
 
I believe that Blaser barrels are made by Walther. This is what I was led to believe anyway. I had 4 of the barrels and all shot easily within 1MOA with quality ammo. Had Vais or Answer brakes installed and my gunsmith stated that the barrels were the hardest he'd ever encountered.
 
butchlambert said:
You think! Have one of you buddy's post about your success.
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Are you gonna provide any useful information or just keep talkin' out your hind end? Not looking to get in a pissin' match with a smart mouth here. Just looking for educated opinions and experiences.
 
Mr. Ten-X said:
I believe that Blaser barrels are made by Walther. This is what I was led to believe anyway. I had 4 of the barrels and all shot easily within 1MOA with quality ammo. Had Vais or Answer brakes installed and my gunsmith stated that the barrels were the hardest he'd ever encountered.
Click to expand...

Did your smith ever mention excessive wear on his tools caused by the harder steel? Or was it just harder to work with? I definitely dont want to tick off my gunsmith by wearing out his tooling. Though I do have my own reamer, I dont want to wear that out too bad either.
 
I have one of their pre-fits for a savage in 243. 1 in 8 twist and it will shoot 107 SMK in the .2's. Most everything I have shot in it has shot well. (1/2" or under at 100 yds) Cleans up real easy and the machine work is excellent.

I looked on their web site and even sent an email but I can't remember if I ever got a reply. If I did it was after several days as I ended up calling them about 3 days later and ordering the barrel. The person I talked to was very nice and helpful and made sure the barrel was in stock before taking my order.
 
We always say not to bash manufacturers on an open forum and I am wondering why we are doing it instead of pm's? I realize if you had a bad experience it pisses you off but open bashing,I am not so sure of anymore.I have done it myself and am trying not to do it as much as possible.I have a friend who has a lothar barrel and it can beat my hart 1/2 the time and it is a shooter.Should we or shouldnt we bash.I will leave it up to you.
 
He never whined about tool wear, but it no doubt was harder on the tooling than the barrel steels that he is used to dealing with. His only comment was "that is some hard sh--".

His mission was basically to turn to a specific diameter, undercut, make a new shoulder, thread the stub and recrown. Chambering will be another story as that (obviously) is done with a static reamer. He can likely save himself some grief by boring a hole before chambering with a nitride-treated drill. That would def save on reamer wear.
 
BigDMT said:
Mr. Ten-X said:
I believe that Blaser barrels are made by Walther. This is what I was led to believe anyway. I had 4 of the barrels and all shot easily within 1MOA with quality ammo. Had Vais or Answer brakes installed and my gunsmith stated that the barrels were the hardest he'd ever encountered.
Click to expand...

Did your smith ever mention excessive wear on his tools caused by the harder steel? Or was it just harder to work with? I definitely dont want to tick off my gunsmith by wearing out his tooling. Though I do have my own reamer, I dont want to wear that out too bad either.
Click to expand...

Blaser barrels are not made by Lothar Walther. Blaser use hammer forged barrels that will be nitrided in the end and get very hard.

Lothar Walthers material has normal hardness (750 - 900 N/mm²) and they use steel that is very good to ream chambers.
 
If you use a CM barrel, it machines like any other. If it is LW50 it machines like 17-4. Your smith will have to use a good cutting oil and much higher speeds and feed. BDMT, it should last longer, but let me know if it does. Are you using the LW50? Make sure your smith studies it before doing it. It is not harder or tougher, it just needs to be machined properly. You need to forget what you have used in the past. It will make a decent hunting barrel, but not a competition barrel.
How was that?
 
I have read there steel is harder and I believe button rifling adds a little to that..Could make a good varmint barrel!
 
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