New barrel in .243win for AI AWP

[Gerald89]

Just looking for some opinions on my latest project.

I am looking to change the barrel on my accuracy international AWP.

The reason being I was not quite up to speed with twist rates when I ordered it and I now find I would like to shoot 105's etc (it has 1:10 and will not shoot them).

I have spoken to border barrels and found out a few things that I did not no:-

Firstly the profile is not standard and en cures extra cost.

What barrel profile do most people use when designing an LRH rifle?

Secondly I assumed that the standard barrel was a cut rifled barrel but it turns out they are button rifled!

How much is the real world difference in performance?

Standard length is 24" what would I gain in velocity if I went to say 28"?

thanks Jeza

[James Jones]

Personaly , I would go with at least a 26" and probably a strait taper form 1.25" down to say .850" or so or if you want a little lighter go with a medium Palma conture. As for the twist go with the 1-8" it'll handle the 105gr VLD style bullets.
wether its buttoned or cut rifled doesen't realy matter , I have never seen any conclusive evidence that says one is more accurate or last longer than the other.
But for the caliber , if your gonna have to rehamber anyway why not go with a 243Ai it'll give a little more velocity and better case life.

[Brown Dog]

Jeza,

Who did you speak to at Border?!...I'm stunned that they said AW barrels were button rifled.

AI have been supplying L96s and subsequently AWs to the market for far longer than Border have been marketing button rifled barrels (by a good 10 years at least!)

...unless Border were 'secretly' button rifling long before they offered 'Archer' barrels; I suspect you may have been speaking to a 'muppet' [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img].

....I also can see no reason why the barrel should have a 'special contour' charge. Border supply AI. By definition therefore, the contour must be one of their 'standard contours' [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

PS. Stop messing about with a girl's calibre and get a 308 barrel [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Pete Lincoln]

Matt.. AI's also used Madco barrels its maybe one of them.

i wouldn't loose any sleep over having the exact same profile, so long as the thing fits in the stock and matches your weight limits and desires, any profile will do..

Cut V Buttoned. well i cant see a bloody difference in accuracy, consistency or ease of cleaning between them..

haven't had a walther that wouldn't shoot 1/4 MOA yet. not had any where near as many Borders, but they shot as well, no better no worse.

I'd turn the rifle into a .260 Rem

Pete

[Gerald89]

Thanks for that JD.

Matt, I thought you might have something to say about that!
Have sent you an Email

As soon as I read my reply to how much etc and it came back "button rifle as AI" I checked the button prospectus and there is no 1:10 button listed.

so half hoping he had it wrong I asked how come and how much for cut rifle.

It came back they do have 1:10 button and my awp would definitely have it! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

PS 308 barrel [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] hmmmmmm yes I just don't no what to do with that got the 300mag slot now!

[Zak Smith]

I just had GA Precision put a 260REM barrel on my AWP. Pick your barrel profile, twist, and blank-maker, and have a gunsmith you trust who knows AI's thread and chamber it for you.

[ds]

Jeza,

I have a 260 Rem with 28" Border cut 5R tube on it - bloody big and heavy 1.25" tube no taper. It shoots very well, it also shot very well from the first shots very little load development and cleans easy. I can take off-hand shots but it is not really pleasant for long.

BUT...if you are using it as a field gun something shorter and lighter...max 26" and may be 24" better. If you had a full cylinder from the brech for 4" or 5" then a taper down to about .930" at the muzzle you could re-chamber later (more barrel life for your money). Not sure if you are using a break or can but a 3/4" thread (not smaller is a good idea).

Maker....you might well get more barrel life out of a Lothar Walther...harder steel. I would not sweat cut or buttoned (says me who had to have cut rifled barrel before), more likely to be screwed up by the plumber...cutting a good chamber is a big thing. I am biased but I am going to try a Lothar Walther on the next project and Pete is doing the plumbing.

Really I know too many people / gun plumbers who say cut vs buttoned not much in it - ask Derek I think he has a tack driver Lothar Walther on his 6mmBr belly benchrester and Pete was the plumber.

Worth thinking about flutes?...cost about 100 quid, not bad on a 308 (5K barrel life) but on 243 Win 1200 - 1500 rounds barell life....expensive.

If you want something other than 243 Win.....6.5x47 Lapua is looking very nice...easier than .260Rem for the same performance and Pete (that man again) is getting a reamer in.

As an option the last time i checked RPA had some Krieger cut rifled barrels in (one is on a mates . If I could choose a barrel I would buy krieger but here LW and Border are easier options.

Hope it helps,

David.