Gunsmithing New a barrel for a F-class rig and what reamer

[avidflyer]

Need to order a 308 barrel for my new F-Class rig this week. I’m thinking of a Bartlein 11.25 5R finished to 30 inches…I would like to shoot the 178 A-max or 175 SMK. I’ve heard good things about the 185 Bergers….I need to talk to my smith about a reamer, I’ve been told to go with the Palma 95. Just wanting to get some opinions on what everyone else is having success with. (600Yrd)

 

[turbo54]

Re: New a barrel for a F-class rig and what reamer

The 95 Palma and Bisley reamers are both great choices.

For F/TR, I think a 30" barrel is a good choice.

Bartlein makes a great barrel, but if the contour/twist you want isn't readily available, I'd get whatever brand barrel IS available.

 

[McLarenross]

Re: New a barrel for a F-class rig and what reamer

For a dedicated FTR rig dont forget the 155 Scenars. Pushed at 3000+ from a long barrel they are slick.

 

[avidflyer]

Re: New a barrel for a F-class rig and what reamer

TTT

 

[SSC]

Re: New a barrel for a F-class rig and what reamer

I have had really good success with the Tactical Match reamer from PTG. You didn't mention if you like turning necks.

I will also +1 the 155 scenar for paper punching to 600. I would run the charts and see if the 175-185 are going to do any better than the 155

 

[avidflyer]

Re: New a barrel for a F-class rig and what reamer

Any 185 guys out there?

 

[buffybuster]

Re: New a barrel for a F-class rig and what reamer

For a straight F/TR rig, I would look at the 190VLD's or 208AMAX's loaded loooonnng. With a 30" barrel should get good velocity and minimizing wind drift is more important than how flat it shoot on a KD range.

Pick the bullet you want to shoot, load up some dummy rounds, send them to Dave Kiff and PT&G to have a reamer cut for it. Or he might very possibly have a reamer print already with a long throat for the heavies.

Palma95 reamer has a short throat, for 155 to 175's. Anything longer and you have to seat the bullet pretty deep.

 

[AK264]

Re: New a barrel for a F-class rig and what reamer

For a straight F/TR rig, I would look at the 190VLD's or 208AMAX's loaded loooonnng. With a 30" barrel should get good velocity and minimizing wind drift is more important than how flat it shoot on a KD range.

Pick the bullet you want to shoot, load up some dummy rounds, send them to Dave Kiff and PT&G to have a reamer cut for it. Or he might very possibly have a reamer print already with a long throat for the heavies.

Palma95 reamer has a short throat, for 155 to 175's.


my two cents im no expert. Choosing your bullet brass, and oal loading a dummy and having dave kiff turn a reamer where the bullet kisses the lands is a great way to go! i ve done it many times. If you want to sell the reamer youll only be out a penny or two The past ten years ive used gre-tan and also provide greg with a dummy. Greg has a lot of reamers but they have no throats- he selects the one he has with the neck desired. He cuts the throat seperatly for kiss the lands on the dummy. This is not quite as precise as blueprinting a reamer to a dummy via kiff but its pretty damn close and saves the cost of a reamer.
IMHO this is better than selecting any stock reamer that is not matched to a dummy, not that that method will yield bad results!

I like the 155s seated way out but ive never shot the heavys. My perception is he 155 scenars at 3000 fps out of a 28' show just a little bit more drift than a 140 6.5 amax at 2800 at 1000 yards. 24.r minutes elevation off a 100 zero at raton. They are noticably better than the 175smk IMHO. But a 11.25 works well for the 155 scenars so if you chose that you could try the 155s the 175s and the 178's. I dont know if a 11.25 is fast enough for the heavys.