Shilen barrel

[Jaymic]

Need some help...this is my 3rd Shilen barrel and I can’t get it to shoot! I’m using varget, Lapua brass and Berger hybrids cci 450’s. I’m 350 rounds in and can’t find the combination.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Tell Shilen it's a dud?

 

[Charwell]

Try a different primer.

 

[mikeeg02]

Probably would be helpful to know the cartridge, barrel length, etc.

Then we will need to know what you consider "unable to shoot" and at what distance.

What kind of scale are you using?

How consistent is your base to ogive measurement? Do you check every loaded round?

After that, I would say try federal 205m's. Varget and 205s seem to play together nicely in my experience.

 

[gambleone]

After 3 barrels I'd be looking at some other problem, like scope, action screws, bedding, etc. Gotta be something besides the barrel.jmho

 

[LarryDScott]

Post a list of the:
Caliber
Twist
Powder weight
Seating depth
Nk tension
Group sizes
Scope
Mounts
Stock/Bedding
The things you have tried so far.
We have to know where you have been to determine
where you need to go. LDS

 

[mikeeg02]

After 3 barrels I'd be looking at some other problem, like scope, action screws, bedding, etc. Gotta be something besides the barrel.jmho

I wasn't sure if he meant this was his third (meaning first two worked well and he wore them out so he bought a third) or he had three bad barrels. If this is the third in a row that's bad, the above advice is very likely.

 

[STOMP442]

I just finished load development on a .280 Ackley that I chambered in a Shilen #5 26" tube. This one was a little picky as well but I have found that the .280 Ackley can be a bit more finicky than most. I tried three different powders and three different bullets until I found the combo it liked but now it's an honest half moa shooter. Sometimes they just won't run the components you want them too and you need to try at least a different bullet and powder before giving up on a barrel.

 

[Jaymic]

Ive had two previous good barrels from Shilen. This one is giving me trouble.
It’s 6br
Jumping about .005
Getting two inch groups
T-36 scope
Savage prefit 28”

 

[mikeeg02]

Two inches at 100 ? What powder charges have you tried ? What seating depths ?

 

[okie]

Ive had two previous good barrels from Shilen. This one is giving me trouble.
It’s 6br
Jumping about .005
Getting two inch groups
T-36 scope
Savage prefit 28”

verify twist with cleaning rod

 

[Hoodoo]

verify twist with cleaning rod

Verifying twist with a cleaning rod is never accurate, there will always been slippage.

 

[BenPerfected]

Call Shilen and see what the say. In the past, Shilen has been flexible on barrels that don’t shoot. Likely, you will still be on the hook for freight and gun smithing cost. Maybe you should just move on.....
Ben

 

[KenOath]

Ive had two previous good barrels from Shilen. This one is giving me trouble.
It’s 6br
Jumping about .005
Getting two inch groups
T-36 scope
Savage prefit 28”

Try the 105 VLD Huntings or Targets or 107 Siearras... I was having troubles with a br barrel, changed to 105H and things improved. I couldn’t get week to week consistency with the Hybrids but could with the others, specially the 107 Sierra.

Edit: What distance are you getting 2” groups at??

 

[Jaymic]

Try the 105 VLD Huntings or Targets or 107 Siearras... I was having troubles with a br barrel, changed to 105H and things improved. I couldn’t get week to week consistency with the Hybrids but could with the others, specially the 107 Sierra.

Edit: What distance are you getting 2” groups at??

200 yards

 

[cmillard]

I would suggest jamming the bullets, and as others have said, need more info

 

[KenOath]

200 yards

Ok, try a different bullet see what happens, the barrel is still fairly young..
In my barrels Sierras like to be jumped 10 to 15 thou, VLDs can go both ways jammed 5 or jumped out to 15thou, Varget around 29.5 to 30.2ish gns.

 

[Zero333]

Verifying twist with a cleaning rod is never accurate, there will always been slippage.

Works perfectly with a bronze brush. I haven't tried verifying a barrel's twist with a nylon brush but should work too. With a proper fitting patch it never worked for me.

 

[Zero333]

I have 3 Shilen barrels and they show no preference between jumping and in the lands. But they can be picky when it comes to bullets. Especially when you demand a bad group to still be sub 1/2moa.

Once is a while they need a good cleaning before accuracy comes back.

 

[6milphil]

I'm tagging in here since I'm currently dealing with a shilen 6mm-223 barrel that I can't get to shoot better than 1" at 100 yards. So far I've tried 4 different bullets, 2 powders, and 2 scopes.
I had two conversations with shilen a couple of weeks ago and I'm still waiting on a call back.