Gunsmithing Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

[jrbet83]

Can you benchmark guys tell me what the pros and cons of the 3 vs 6 grooves rifling that benchmark offers?

If it depends on the caliber, it's going to be for a 115dtac .243

 

[selfbowhunter]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

i really like benchmark barrels and prefer the 3-groove. they SEEM to clean quicker and easier than other groove configurations to me. i have also gotten consistently higher velocities than expected. every benchmark i have used has been extremely accurate. the only caliber they would not specifically suggest was the 3 groove in 224 simply because it was not proven yet. i bought one anyway and my next build is going to be a 22-250 ackley 1-8 3 groove. the barrel and receiver are in the safe. need to get a reamer and stock coming and ill be in business. my last build was on their 3-groove 6.5mm and its is phenominal. i cant find a load it doesnt like. my only 3-groove in 6mm was a 6BR with a 1-14twist and it was great. call them and they will tell you what everyone seems to prefer in the fast twist 6mm tubes but i cant imagine you not being satisfied with the 3-groove.

chuck

 

[jrbet83]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

would grooves match on throat wear? hypothetically since there's more rifling material in a 6 groove, that the throat would last longer??????

 

[darrenk75b]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

Generally considered to be the opposite. A 3-groove barrel has wider lands, which for lack of a better analogy, spreads out the affect of the brning powder over a larger area. Throat erosion is thereby reduced.

I know a number of people who prefer 3 groove barrels for "burner" calibers.

 

[MTETM]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

I can't directly address your questions, but I can recommend calling them. I just got off the phone with Benchmark, ordered a new 6mm barrel for 115 DTACS. All my questions were answered and now all I have to do is wait!
Great folks to work with.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrbet83</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can you benchmark guys tell me what the pros and cons of the 3 vs 6 grooves rifling that benchmark offers?

If it depends on the caliber, it's going to be for a 115dtac .243</div></div>

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

I was told to go with a 5 or six groove in a high twist 22-250 -- IF-- I still wanted to shoot lighter bullets. They are a bit easier on the jackets and will have less tendency to blow them up from rpm. But the 3 or 4 groove barrels are supposed to hold up better.

 

[selfbowhunter]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

my rifle will live on the 75 or 80 a-max. i hope they hold together.

chuck

 

[dsink]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

I have built quite a few rifles for customers using the 3 groove barrels from Benchmark in 6mm and 30 cal and they have all been top preformers.
Benchmark barrels are all I use on the rifles I build. they make a first class barrel and are great to deal with..

Like someone said above, the 3 groove tends to foul less and is easier to clean. Last year I was running 50rds at a time through my 6br between cleanings while we were p-dog hunting and it cleaned up like I had shot 10rds..

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

Ron's theory is if you go with small bore fast twist barrels the 6-grooves are easier on the jackets than the 3-grooves. Ron can recommend a groove configuration depending on your caliber/twist. Reallistically though any of them will shoot due to quality control and experience.

 

[BruxBarrels]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

Here at Brux Barrels we have done multiple configurations on the number of grooves and have found no evidence that one amount is better than the other. We do 4 grooves on all barrels up to 30 cal and 6 grooves on all barrels bigger than 30 cal.

 

[tiltonwilder]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

Are these button or cut rifled?

 

[jbell]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: darrenk75b</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Generally considered to be the opposite. A 3-groove barrel has wider lands, which for lack of a better analogy, spreads out the affect of the brning powder over a larger area. Throat erosion is thereby reduced.

I know a number of people who prefer 3 groove barrels for "burner" calibers. </div></div>
I agree on the wider lands for the 3 groove should last longer in the throat when shooting realy hot calibers in theory, but it is very difficult to scientifically prove. One thing I think that realy makes the odd groove barrels shine is that you have a groove opposing a land. What this does is not displace the bullet as much, meaning a land opposing a land makes the jacket move alot more to fit. This is why the odd groove barrels seem to clean up better than a even groove.

 

[usmcMT]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brux Barrels</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here at Brux Barrels we have done multiple configurations on the number of grooves and have found no evidence that one amount is better than the other. We do 4 grooves on all barrels up to 30 cal and 6 grooves on all barrels bigger than 30 cal. </div></div>Did you work for Boots?

 

[Brutas]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

The number of grooves does not matter much, it is the surface area ratio between the lands and grooves. If that ratio is in the correct range, the number of grooves usually does not matter.

Brian Birutas
Bartlein Barrels

 

[BruxBarrels]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usmcMT</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brux Barrels</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here at Brux Barrels we have done multiple configurations on the number of grooves and have found no evidence that one amount is better than the other. We do 4 grooves on all barrels up to 30 cal and 6 grooves on all barrels bigger than 30 cal. </div></div>Did you work for Boots? </div></div>

No, none of us worked for Boots, but we are all good friends with him and shoot with him fairly often.

 

[border_reiver]

Re: Benchmark Barrels 3 vs 6 groove

One thing that's good with odd # grooves and cut rifling is each groove is cut opposing a land, so you're pretty stable there with support directly under the cut creating a very concentric groove circle...That said, I've made 4,5,6,7,8 groove 308's which all shot very well..

The wider the land can lead to longer life, it's a mixture of groove/land ratio, cross section, and how tough your bullets skin is. Wide lands often made the Berger varmints white puffs before hitting the target, where as ball ammo can take it well. Usually if you let your barrelmaker know what you are shooting he will point you in the right direction..

JR