* Preferred Barrel Blanks?

[wa11abee]

Anyone know any thing about these barrels?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Is it a list of the best barrel blanks?

 

[wa11abee]

No it is a brand of barrel I had never heard of them

 

[wa11abee]

Here is the web site https://preferredbarrelblanks.com/

 

[hogpatrol]

They have a nice website. Prices are very competitive.

 

[MikeT49]

Missing 6.8mm /.277. Also 17 & 20 cal

 

[Kurz]

Prices are very competitive.

And they should be for button rifled barrels. There is nowhere near the work involved in button barrels as there is in making a fine cut rifled barrel. With the advent of more CNC control, shop work such as turning, drilling and reaming is getting far easier as well. Here is video of a fully automated production barrel making work center:

Previously a man was in the middle of the work center doing all the handling.

But there are simpler work centers using multi-axis machines and automated material handling. The costs of something like this is front loaded obviously and reduces with continuous work loads.

 

[wvlongshot]

Looks like Match Grade Machine is going wide open now. Who's blanks have they been using all along?

 

[hogpatrol]

Looks like another small stick in the fire. Doesnt look competitive to me. Inexperience shows when a company doesnt list any twist rates for the different bores. Foolish to buy a barrel of any caliber without knowing the twist rate.

When you go to the blank menu, after you choose the caliber the twist rate box pops up next. Same for the prefits.

 

[butchlambert]

How will they do stainless barrels? Barrel stainless doesn't have enough iron-steel for the magnet grippers to work.

 

[hogpatrol]

How will they do stainless barrels? Barrel stainless doesn't have enough iron-steel for the magnet grippers to work.

Are you referring to the robotic handlng? The end effector could be configured to pick up round stock but there is enough in 400 series stainless barrel stock for a magnet to work. Vacuum is another option.

 

[butchlambert]

Are you referring to the robotic handlng? The end effector could be configured to pick up round stock but there is enough in 400 series stainless barrel stock for a magnet to work. Vacuum is another option.

I understand, but just saying that the video says they pick them up with magnets.

 

[hogpatrol]

I understand, but just saying that the video says they pick them up with magnets.

It looks like it has a radius with a good size magnet on either side and the prox sensor to ensure it's seated. At any rate, no problem picking them up with magnets.

 

[butchlambert]

It looks like it has a radius with a good size magnet on either side and the prox sensor to ensure it's seated. At any rate, no problem picking them up with magnets.

OK, how come my 416R will barely react to a powerfull magnet?

 

[swd]

For cheap barrels there’s always these guys. Not a big selection but probably just as good or better for a lot less money.
https://raggedholebarrels.net/

 

[hogpatrol]

OK, how come my 416R will barely react to a powerfull magnet?

Not sure but here's a stainless 6BR barrel being held by a super magnet I locked in vise grips.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Shilen and Wilson already make blanks in the same price range or less and I know from experience they will shoot. I can get a contoured Wilson blank for $160 and the two I already have shoot lights out. Having a 3rd Wilson being put on a 20 PPC right now.

X-Caliber came out with about the same pricing when they hit the market. I've bought two X-Caliber barrels thinking they would be good for the money, but they dont shoot worth a damn compared to my other custom barrels. Wont hold shots together during long fast strings of fire. So I really dont see the appeal of another no name mid grade button barrel maker with limited manufacturing experience. I watched the growing pains first hand with X-caliber with inexperienced barrel making staff. Their early barrels out the door were junk and the stuff they make now doesnt impress me much.

I think the industry would welcome another high end ultra precision cut rifle barrel maker. Unfortunately that is a dying art because its not cost effective. But mid grade button barrels are a dime a dozen...

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Lots of folks tooled up to do the ar thing back a few years ago and now they gotta find something to do

 

[Roeder]

Looks like another small stick in the fire. Doesnt look competitive to me. Inexperience shows when a company doesnt list any twist rates for the different bores. Foolish to buy a barrel of any caliber without knowing the twist rate.

I noticed that if you select a caliber, a drop down menu opens up to allow you to select a twist rate.

 

[hogpatrol]

Lots of folks tooled up to do the ar thing back a few years ago and now they gotta find something to do

Yes and the way things are going, there may soon be a lot of used black guns flooding the market.