5R and 5C style of rifling

gr8whyt · #8 03-28-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasHunter

We've actually noticed more cleaning differences between button vs cut barrels than between 5R vs standard groove barrels.

Interesting little tidbit there. So which cleans easier, button or cut rifled? And to what degree? I would have thought that if they were lapped to the same finish, they would be very similar. Just asking.

-- gr8whyt

J E Custom · #9 03-28-2011, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8whyt

Interesting little tidbit there. So which cleans easier, button or cut rifled? And to what degree? I would have thought that if they were lapped to the same finish, they would be very similar. Just asking.

-- gr8whyt

The finish has the most control over the inability to foul.

If the lapped finish is to smooth it can foul. there is a preferred finish and the barrel makers guard
there process closely because it is part of there performance and cleaning characteristics.

For some time now cut rifling barrel makers have been lapping like the button rifle barrels so there
is little difference in premium barrels no mater what type of rifling the barrel has.

So the choice of cut or buttoned barrels is yours and if you talk to 10 different people they will give
you lots of different brands and type of rifling preference.

J E CUSTOM

gr8whyt · #10 03-28-2011, 09:35 PM

Exactly the way I figured it, JE. Thanks for the input. A lot of the barrel makers huff and puff about how this method of rifling or that method is better. But the key to what makes the barrel better is the finish lapping. Oh, and the chamber, throat, and crown are big too.

-- gr9whyt

MontanaRifleman · #11 03-28-2011, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasHunter

I haven't noticed any substantial velocity gain with standard bore/groove dimensions. If you spec a slightly tighter bore/groove, you can achieve higher velocities. I had a 22" 308 Rock Creek for a long time that had a .2995/.3075 bore/groove (if I remember correctly) that would outrun Remington factory 26" tubes by 25 fps on the exact same factory loads or handloads.

Be warned however that we've tried the whole tight bore/groove thing with other cartridges and bullets designed primarily for hunting and never been able to achieve adequate accuracy. The tight bore/groove idea evolved from the Palma crowd due to the variability of different international match ammo. It works great with match bullets due to their thinner jackets that obturate more easily. But add magnum speed and hunting bullets and things just don't seem to work very well.

As for cleaning, they do clean up a bit better. But I'm not a huge proponent of cleaning too much. Most barrels perform better (accuracy wise) after a few rounds. We generally recommend that our hunting clients sight in with the load they intend to use during hunting season, then clean really well, then foul with 3 to 5 rounds, go hunting and clean at the end of the season. Unless of course the barrel interior is subjected to some unusually dirty or wet conditions. We've actually noticed more cleaning differences between button vs cut barrels than between 5R vs standard groove barrels.

Thanks for the reply. I've heard the velocity gain is about 1% with the 5C. Not huge, but every little bit counts