Rifling: Does Type Matter?

[choprzrul]

I'm starting down the road to build a new rifle that will utilize the WTO Switchlug for 3 different barrels. So....I'm going to be buying 3 Bartlein barrels.

Given the design of the Hammer bullets, and what I perceive to be less barrel friction due to that design....does it matter what type of rifling a barrel uses?

4 groove
5R
6 groove
?

Do more grooves in a barrel equate to less drag/friction on a bullet when it travels down the bore? Is there a type or rifling that is known to work either better or worse with Hammer bullets? I figure I might as well optimize this choice up front as I plan to shoot nothing but hammers thru these barrels.

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[MeatBuck]

3… less friction equals more velocity.

I don’t know if that’s actually true but it sounds good.

 

[MeatBuck]

Got 3’s on our 270wsm builds.

Seem to do ok.

 

[choprzrul]

3… less friction equals more velocity.

I don’t know if that’s actually true but it sounds good.

Maybe I'm thinking about this wrong.....but wouldn't more grooves mean less material on the lands to contact the bullet?

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[hand skills]

Here is a good video on the subject;

 

[choprzrul]

Thoughts on the Shilen 4 groove Ratchet rifling? Will the Hammers seal on this rifling?

 

[MeatBuck]

Maybe I'm thinking about this wrong.....but wouldn't more grooves mean less material on the lands to contact the bullet?

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.0820 x 3
Lilja bbl

 

[MeatBuck]

Looks like I measured large there. Maybe .080 or less

 

[MeatBuck]

Closer but still see a small gap there. Call it .0750” for now.

 

[choprzrul]

Looks like I measured large there. Maybe .080 or less

What’s your twist rate? Does tighter twist need more grooves to bite the bullet?

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[MeatBuck]

What’s your twist rate? Does tighter twist need more grooves to bite the bullet?

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1-8”

Measured (but extremely hard to see) a savage 6g on a 70g hh in 243. Looks like .0480ish” (so that times 6).

 

[MeatBuck]

 

[MeatBuck]

I don’t know anything about the subject aside from what I have here in front of me to measure. Although I did watch the above video when it came out. Can’t say I retained anything from having watched it.

 

[gltaylor]

I tend to agree with Mark (of M&S After Work). Had and shot many, many barrels; of all the main brands (Wilson, Hart, Shilen, Kreiger, Bartlein, Brux, plus factory, and probably some I forgot.)
For the last several years I've migrated almost entirely to cut riflle barrels of just a couple of brands.
You can get a good one or a great one. A fast one or a "slow" one in any of them. Can't tell much difference in cleaning. All (now) shoot just Hammers (except BR/varmint rifles).
Pretty much personal preference?

 

[Mountainman]

I tend to lean to the 5R rifling as there seems to be some validity in their claim. Mostly I prefer odd numbers as not having lands directly across from each other just seems like it HAS to have less drag. I also have very good luck with Lilja 3 groove barrels.

Regards

 

[BFD]

If a majority of the premium rifles makers like 5R, I'm good with it too! I sometimes elect not to rainman out on all aspects of shooting and this is one of them! LOL

 

[mtmuley]

I also have very good luck with Lilja 3 groove barrels.

Regards

I like hearing that. mtmuley