The 1/8" Twist Krieger will have to wait...

[critter_bill]

I posted a couple days ago requesting info on the 1/8" twist barrel life. I was thinking of pulling the 1/14" Hart for a shiny new 1/8" Krieger.

My trip to the range yesterday convinced me to wait for the re-barrel. This little 14" twist Hart just keeps on shooting so why mess up a good thing? This target shows rounds 2600-2650 testing of 5 - 5 shot groups with 52 gr BIB custom bullets (first 25 bullets---load not yet developed) and 52 gr SMK with proven load. This is a great little rifle built by Dixie Guns in 1998 and upgraded in 2014 with McMillan A-5 stock, side bolt release, and Badger Ordnance bolt knob by Jon Beanland.

Now I guess I'll wait to see how many accurate rounds this little rifle will send down range. One hundred yards, light rain, very little wind.

 

[Ned Ludd]

As long as it continues shooting like that, I'd leave it alone. I think you have made a wise decision. The barrel will let you know when it's time to change it. You can always acquire the new barrel in advance and hold on to it until that time, in order to cut down the lead time when it is time to change it. Until/unless it starts shooting with less precision or you have some need to shoot a heavier bullet, enjoy it!

 

[critter_bill]

gstaylorg, I don't shoot that well every time out. Yesterday was eerily calm after a bit of a storm at my gun club. I'm not a great wind shooter but there is no doubting that the rifle is capable. My 6PPC BR rifle is challenged by this little varmint rifle. The only reason I considered re-barreling is because I'm switching to the 220 BEGGS for my accuracy 22 caliber and going all 1-8" twist on my remaining .223s. I think the BAT B 220 BEGGs will have to work hard to beat this barrel. Good "problem" to have.

 

[Phil]

I think i`d shoot the h#!! out of it, then consider the 8 twist.


Phil.

 

[MarkS]

I posted a couple days ago requesting info on the 1/8" twist barrel life. I was thinking of pulling the 1/14" Hart for a shiny new 1/8" Krieger.

My trip to the range yesterday convinced me to wait for the re-barrel. This little 14" twist Hart just keeps on shooting so why mess up a good thing? This target shows rounds 2600-2650 testing of 5 - 5 shot groups with 52 gr BIB custom bullets (first 25 bullets---load not yet developed) and 52 gr SMK with proven load. This is a great little rifle built by Dixie Guns in 1998 and upgraded in 2014 with McMillan A-5 stock, side bolt release, and Badger Ordnance bolt knob by Jon Beanland.

Now I guess I'll wait to see how many accurate rounds this little rifle will send down range. One hundred yards, light rain, very little wind.

Bill,
Have you though about a switch barrel gun. get both.
Mark

 

[boltfluter]

What a great looking rifle. Love the A5 Stock. Definitely a shooter you have there. And, the pilot is pretty good to.

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[critter_bill]

Thank you, Paul. I gave this rifle to a friend in 2002 with a 40XB HS Precision stock as built by Dixie Rifles. He had done over $2,000 worth of labor helping me finish my shop but would not take any money. So, at the conclusion, I gave him a choice between this rifle and a custom Rem 700 308 with Hart barrel. He chose this one. By 2012, I had the itch to get it back so I offered to "buy" it from him. This time, he did take cash and I wanted to upgrade to an A5 (have several of them and love them) so I had Jon Beanland stock it for me as well as install the bolt knob and side bolt release. Best part---my friend only fired it 23 rounds in ten years! That, along with me having multiple rifes, is why the relatively low round count of 2,650 in 18 years. It's been a fun little rifle and, frankly, it out shoots my BATs!

 

[critter_bill]

MarkS, I have a 1/8" twist BAT B that I could get a 1/14" twist for as well but I recently committed to (as in bought reamer, go gauge, dies, and two Krieger HV blanks) to the 220 BEGGS for my slow twist caliber. I've decided to go all 1/8" and 77 gr Scenars on my .223 bolt guns and AR-15s to simplify things. But, looks like the 220 BEGGS is gonna have to hustle to beat this old Hart barrel.

I do have a number of 6PPC barrels that I switch on my BR rifle and also a BAT MB 308 with barrels in 1-11.25", 1-12", and 1-14", so I am comfortable switching barrels.

Oddly, although I buy Kriegers and Bartleins now, my four best shooting barrels ever were all Harts from the late 90s. Two were 1/12" 308s, one 1/14" 6PPC, and this 1/14" 223. Must have had a good run of barrels then. I honestly can't remember why button barrels fell out of favor.