Polygonal Barrels

[Raven1071]

I'm planning out a bench rest 30 cal. and was wondering has anyone found the polygonal barrels to be of any benefit for long range shooting to 1000yds? Any information will helpful.

Dave

 

[butchlambert]

Dave,
A good barrel is where you get it. 5R, Ratchet, polygonal,and standard are all fine. I have not heard of the barrel manufacturer that advertises to polygonal winning anything.
Butch

 

[Eddie Harren]

David Tubb uses a lot of Gary Schneider's 6mm polygonal barrels. I put one on a 6mm X 47 Lapua for a customer and it is scary accurate. Don't see many in short range BR but quite a few in Highpower.

 

[Rustystud]

I can see polygonal rifling for military applications but not high precision accuracy. If it were the cats meow, then we all would be shooting H&Ks now wouldn't we?
Rustystud

 

[cliffe]

guys that shot h&k .223's used to always say that with the polygonal rifling their h&k's shot faster than other rifling. never shot one through the chrono' to say one way or another. anybody else? the 630 h&k's were supposed to be good shooters. cliffe

 

[WANTASHOOT]

The type of rifling probably doesn't matter as much as the care and quality put into the bore. If the rifling inparts spin on the bullet at the proper RPM then it has done its part. If the bore is true and accurate then the Smith has done his job. The ease of cleaning or amount of fouling is something you should be concerned about. I have heard the polyagonal rifling fouls very little or extremely bad depending upon the quality of finish in the bore

 

[Eddie Harren]

I don't believe that H&K's poly barrels are on the same quality level with Schneider's barrels. As far as seeing them used in competition, I guess Tubb wins a few matches now and then.

 

[SamLS]

The only knock Ive heard was from Gale Mcmillan stating some difficulty cleaning them. He liked them but said you need a good bore rod with excellent bearings that will turn and follow the rifling otherwise the brush skips over the top and won't clean the grooves in the barrel properly. They do shoot higher velocities.

 

[butchlambert]

SamLS,
That was Shilen's contention. They made some in the 70's. Hard to keep clean as the brush didn't seem to follow the twist of the barrel.
Butch

 

[SamLS]

Butch I only spoke with Gale. I had a curosity in making barrels and he was generous enough to provide a wealth of information and experience. He discussed the difficulties in lapping polygonal barrels and making a special lapping rod for such which lead to the cleaning discussion. He felt they shot better in the wind but I cannot remember the specifics.

 

[Huckleberry]

I have several Pac-Nor polygonal barrels
10 twist 308
2- 8 twist 223 Ackleys
8 twist 260
? twist 25-284 Can't remember

One 223 and the 308 are 7 contour profiles. Both are excellent as far as accuracy goes.

The other 223, 260, and 25-284 are hunting guns, #2 contour or smaller. I have not finished the 223, but the 260 is excellent. The 25-284 is ok. It has a featherweight contour, 22" long. Still looking for the magic load. Only H4350 tried so far. RL22 and N560 are next.