New 8.6 Blackout Build

Stugots

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Minuteman
Mar 13, 2014
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I have begun my search for components for a new 8.6 Blackout build and am looking for recommendations for a barrel blank, 1 in 3 twist, 16" MTU, M24, heavy Palma contour etc. (weight of this barrel will not be a concern.) Can you recommend a barrel mfgr that makes blanks for these rough parameters? I'm also in search of a reputable gunsmith with history of machining bolt action builds in this caliber. I will be shooting this rifle suppressed (have a TBAC 338 Ultra I expect to get out of jail soon.) I will also be reloading for this caliber. Primary use will be shooting off a bipod w/rear bag with a high degree of accuracy in mind. Suggestions?
 
Where are you located?
Mine wears a Faxon barrel, which some here will tell you Faxon 8.6 barrels all suck - but that hasn't been my experience. Are you shooting subs and/or supers?
And the 338 Utra is a good can, I have been very happy with the results of my little 8.6 project.
8.6BLKO.jpg
 
I'm located in Minnesota. Right now, I only plan on shooting subs, but have to admit the thought of shooting supers certainly does interest me. I know if that's the case, I will probably be in trouble with the 1 in 3 twist though. Another thought is a 1 in 6.5 twist for the ability to shoot both, but I know I would lose the ability to shoot the heaviest .338 Cal bullets subsonic...
 
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I have begun my search for components for a new 8.6 Blackout build and am looking for recommendations for a barrel blank, 1 in 3 twist, 16" MTU, M24, heavy Palma contour etc. (weight of this barrel will not be a concern.) Can you recommend a barrel mfgr that makes blanks for these rough parameters? I'm also in search of a reputable gunsmith with history of machining bolt action builds in this caliber. I will be shooting this rifle suppressed (have a TBAC 338 Ultra I expect to get out of jail soon.) I will also be reloading for this caliber. Primary use will be shooting off a bipod w/rear bag with a high degree of accuracy in mind. Suggestions?
MOS-TEK is who I was going to go with but couldn't justify the higher cost than a Faxon barrel for my 8.6BLK build. I may down the road buy one from them...but for now, I have an 8" Faxon barrel and will begin assembly soon (awaiting Cerakote completion).
 
MOS-TEK is who I was going to go with but couldn't justify the higher cost than a Faxon barrel for my 8.6BLK build. I may down the road buy one from them...but for now, I have an 8" Faxon barrel and will begin assembly soon (awaiting Cerakote completion).
I considered both Mos-Tek and Faxon but did not like what I found after researching each. I am leaning towards higher end barrel manufactures right now. (Krieger, Bartlein, Douglas, Hart etc.) and am now more strongly considering a 1 in 6.5" twist as a bit of a compromise. I have pretty well decided on a Zermatt Arms Original action, (but have not placed an order for) and a Trigger Tech Diamond trigger but that's about it so far. An outside contender for an action is a Mac Bros EVO2 stainless steel action that looks interesting.
 
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I would highly recommend the 6.5 twist for 8.6blk. I have an 8" and 12" in 6.5 twist and love it. Much more accurate then my 3 twist barrels. And I can load ammo much faster. I went with Mos-tek for both and I had a Mos-tek 3 twist 8" as well. and a 12" Faxon bolt in 3 twist. I have a 5 twist 16" barrel being built from mos-tek as well. My 3 twist were not accurate to what I expected. The slower twist barrels are wonderful, whether sending 225gr ttsx or 350gr makers.
 
If you go 1:3 twist after all the shit that’s been posted you almost deserve the headache. I too have a Mos-Tek 6.5 tw and it’s been great so far. Nothing wrong with going high end either. They were just about the only ones doing it when I got mine.
 
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I went with a 16" - 1.2" straight McGowen cut rifled 1-6.5" twist barrel that I should have back in about 8 weeks or so. Picked up a very nice used KRG whiskey 3 chassis with the following KRG accessories: heavy flat bag rider, spigot mount, for end T-Slot weight. I'm topping this off with a Meopta Meostar R2 2.5-15x56 scope that I picked up NITB for a crazy good price from a guy on another forum. Forster dies, Starline brass and Sierra bullets are on their way as well.
 
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