Shilen .223 barrel amazes
- Thread starter swadiver
- Start date
nice day here in FL, very calm winds this morning for another go with this Savage/Shilen .223 barrel.
i started using LT-32 instead of H4895 with the 52gr Berger match bullets. both powders are excellent, but for now, in the current conditions of temp and humidity, i am giving the nod to the LT-32.
bullet are all seated at the lands.
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
That is a nice barrel. I too bought a used barrel (Dasher) for one of my Bats to fireform brass. I couldn't believe anyone would have sold the barrel. Most accurate one I have ever owned (and I have many). It is nice to get a reasonable deal on a good used barrel on this site. One does need to be cautious though - as I have been burned on two of my six purchases from others. If they haven't been on this site and had sales going back quite a while - I'd not buy from them. Seems there are people who sign up to be "member" of this site- though are not really the type of enthusiasts most of us on this site are - either in why we are here or morally.
sparky123321
Silver $$ Contributor
My .204 Shilen prefit from years ago would hit a Dime 9 out of 10 times at 200 yards. There used to be bees all around our targets and I always told my shooting buddy if a bee lands on my 200 yard target it would be a goner.
Since then I've done the custom actions and high-end barrels, but honestly all that time and money and not a hell of a lot of gain over the Shilen pre-fit and a Savage Target Action.
Since then I've done the custom actions and high-end barrels, but honestly all that time and money and not a hell of a lot of gain over the Shilen pre-fit and a Savage Target Action.
afret
Gold $$ Contributor
Yes sir, these Shilen .223 barrels can shoot. I just got my 14 twist 0.250 neck Shilen last week and screwed it together with a Savage target action and XLR Element chassis. Loaded up some neck turned Lapua brass with AR Comp and Berger 52 FBs and went to the range to sight in the scope and fire form the brass. Shot 10 5 shot groups at 100 yards. So far so good.
I've been shooting a 7 twist Shilen .223 barrel that was in stock while waiting for this 14T. This barrel seems even more accurate than the 7T. I wonder how the 14T .222 barrel will do?
Hey Jeff (Swadiver), how is your Shilen .222 doing so far?
I've been shooting a 7 twist Shilen .223 barrel that was in stock while waiting for this 14T. This barrel seems even more accurate than the 7T. I wonder how the 14T .222 barrel will do?
Hey Jeff (Swadiver), how is your Shilen .222 doing so far?
Those are some darn impressive Groups listed . I'm not that familiar with Savage Actions . Question : Can the average Joe put together such a Rig without Custom Gunsmithing with the intended purpose of informal Target or Varmint shooting ? What exactly is a Savage " Target Action " and where can it be purchased ? Same for a conventional looking Stock in Wood or Fiberglass ...... purchased so that the Shilen Barrel can be installed without re-working the Stock . That leaves the Trigger and bottom Metal . What are the recommended components for a finished Rifle ? TIA .
visit Northland Shooters Supply website and do some cruising. Lots of good info.
Jonathan Taylor
afret
Gold $$ Contributor
Like perazziguy mentioned you should check out NSS.
http://northlandshooterssupply.com
There are Youtube videos on how to install the barrel on the action. NSS sells the action wrench, barrel nut wrench, and go/no go gauges. It's simple but it helps to have a big vise available to hold the action wrench.
The weakness of the Savage action is the lack of available stocks and aftermarket triggers. The target action trigger is OK but my triggers can only go down to around 9 oz and still function well. If you don't mind spending a bit more, the Bighorn actions on NSS take the small shank Savage barrels and they have the Remington 700 short action footprint so they can take Remington 700 triggers and stocks which are plentiful. I got a Bighorn for my last build so I can use a 1.5 oz Jewell trigger. I might get another one for my next build.
http://northlandshooterssupply.com
There are Youtube videos on how to install the barrel on the action. NSS sells the action wrench, barrel nut wrench, and go/no go gauges. It's simple but it helps to have a big vise available to hold the action wrench.
The weakness of the Savage action is the lack of available stocks and aftermarket triggers. The target action trigger is OK but my triggers can only go down to around 9 oz and still function well. If you don't mind spending a bit more, the Bighorn actions on NSS take the small shank Savage barrels and they have the Remington 700 short action footprint so they can take Remington 700 triggers and stocks which are plentiful. I got a Bighorn for my last build so I can use a 1.5 oz Jewell trigger. I might get another one for my next build.
Yes sir, these Shilen .223 barrels can shoot. I just got my 14 twist 0.250 neck Shilen last week and screwed it together with a Savage target action and XLR Element chassis. Loaded up some neck turned Lapua brass with AR Comp and Berger 52 FBs and went to the range to sight in the scope and fire form the brass. Shot 10 5 shot groups at 100 yards. So far so good.
I've been shooting a 7 twist Shilen .223 barrel that was in stock while waiting for this 14T. This barrel seems even more accurate than the 7T. I wonder how the 14T .222 barrel will do?
Hey Jeff (Swadiver), how is your Shilen .222 doing so far?
well, it's actually been quite a disappointment. i have tried numerous powders and and bullets, but it has never shot as good or as consistently as the Shilen .223 barrel did.
afret
Gold $$ Contributor
Sorry to hear that it didn't shoot as well as expected. I should be getting the .222 from Shilen pretty soon. I don't think I'll waste too much time on it if it doesn't shoot. I'll just get another .223 on order since it takes so long..............
good luck, let us know how it goes. i ordered a .22 caliber blank from Brux. when it comes i am going to try again with the .222 chambering. this time, i am going to have my smith chamber it
afret
Gold $$ Contributor
I think there's something special about these 14T Shilen .223 barrels. Went to the range again this morning to see how well Berger 55 FBs work with this barrel. Loaded up new neck turned Lapua brass with AR Comp and shot 5 shot groups at 100 yards. Got a couple of groups in the .1s and even one in the .0s. I think I'm going to order another one of these barrels for my Bighorn action.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
24.5 of lt32 is a go to load for me.
25.3 of ARCOMP might be just as good. Both run almost exactly the same velocity too.
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