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Craddock RTR
- Thread starter nso123
- Start date
The 6-8 month wait on my custom 22” Bartlein got to me and I ended up ordering a 16” 6.5CM RTR so I’ve got something to shoot while I wait.
Placed the order this morning and had shipping info this afternoon. Should be fun to see how it shoots.
Placed the order this morning and had shipping info this afternoon. Should be fun to see how it shoots.
Yes, Aero M4E upper w .875 SL block. These were factory 88's at 2707 FPS. Craddock head spaced bolt too.
Runs fine, no issues. Got about 550 rounds on it now. Really impressed with this 22ARC. Shot a Valkyrie for years with not much luck, was 1.25" gun on a good day.
Thanks, good info. Glad to hear it is doing well. I’m hoping it won’t be as difficult as 224 valk or 6ARC in gas gun.
What makes you say the 6 ARC is difficult? I’ve got a Proof SS that shoots factory 108’s really well and my hand load 75 Vmax’s are 0.75 MOA which is good enough for me.
Something from Craddock should be the same or better
Yeah gas is definitely different than the 556 equivalent barrel. In talking with the guys at Craddock, they specifically tested different port locations and sizes on each barrel. Proof went with a rifle +1 gas on theirs and it’s been great for me
Got the 16” out this morning. Once I got the gas block adjusted it shot decently. Was getting 1.25 MOA on a 10 shot group with 140gr ELDM. I’m sure with a tad more patience on my end I could get 1 MOA or slightly better with this ammo.
I’ve got to verify that nothing moved when my scope shifted (didn’t have the rings fully torqued) on my next trip. After I do that, I’ll hone in on shooting some tighter groups to hone in on a perfect zero. The plan is to take this gun out to 1000 in a match in July.
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Glad I came across this thread. For you guys that have experience with the RTR barrels I want to get your opinions.
I'm looking at the 20in .223 wylde barrels and stuck debating between the Craddock RTR and WOA service barrel. Both are same chamber, length, contour and twist.
Between the Craddock RTR and WOA (house) service barrel which one would more often than not provide better and more consistent accuracy if you could only choose one?
I'm looking at the 20in .223 wylde barrels and stuck debating between the Craddock RTR and WOA service barrel. Both are same chamber, length, contour and twist.
Between the Craddock RTR and WOA (house) service barrel which one would more often than not provide better and more consistent accuracy if you could only choose one?
I have two RTRs on the way, but both are in 300BLK so it’ll be a bit apples to oranges when I try to compare to anything else. But I’ve had a few WOAs, and they’ve ranged from ‘solid shooters’ to ‘absolute hammers’. There’s always been a bit of ammo sensitivity to mine though, but after a bit of trial and error I’ve been very happy with my WOAs and consider them to be a steal for their cost. My current two shoot neck and neck, or even beat, my Proofs. My proofs just shoot more consistently across ammo. But a lot of this is luck of the draw, so YMMV.
I do plan on reporting in with how my RTRs shoot, and if it goes well (which I’m sure it will) I do hope to order a few more.
So I thought I’d update. I ordered a pair of 300BLK RTRs, a 10” and a 14.5”. Not the most common setups to drive accuracy from, but it’s what I needed at the time so that’s what I ordered. I have been VERY happy with their first hundred or so rounds. They’re shooting AAC 110 Black Tips into no BS sub-MOA 5-shot groups (when it’s not windy, yanno, 300BLK and all). Usually two or three bullet holes are merged into one big chewed out hole. Very happy with them and wouldn’t hesitate to order more.
I picked up a 22" 6 arc RTR barrel earlier this spring. Other than needing to open up the gas port a few thousandths (+1 gas) to get it to cycle reliably, it has performed well. Customer support has been great as well.
Factory ammo shoots just under 1" at 100 yards. Handloads have performed better with a couple loads shooting under 1/2 ".
The group in the picture was from a recent load development session using Sierra 90 TGK and AR Comp powder. All 5 groups were unde 0.8" and this was the best at 0.32".
I'm definitely happy with the way it's performing.
Factory ammo shoots just under 1" at 100 yards. Handloads have performed better with a couple loads shooting under 1/2 ".
The group in the picture was from a recent load development session using Sierra 90 TGK and AR Comp powder. All 5 groups were unde 0.8" and this was the best at 0.32".
I'm definitely happy with the way it's performing.
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Two different animals. The criterion is a harder stainless if I recall - should last appreciably longer - so it may shoot a little better but the real difference probably won't show up for 3,000 - 5,000 rounds.
*Afterthought - the new "400MODBB" barrel material is yet harder than the prior Bartlein barrels.
So lets say you're a high level, long distance shooter - a buddy of mine who was a top 100 High Power shooter in years gone by - I think he said they would notice the beginning of accuracy falling off between 3-4K, but they were still serviceable for thousands of rounds if you turned and cut them for carbine barrels.
Depending on the caliber and how fast it chews out the neck etc - I'd guess that if the house brand is a baseline, a Bartlein might be baseline + 50%, and a 400MODBB might be another 25-50% past that.
I believe cost roughly tracks those parameters as well.
But - this has probably been mentioned once or twice - if you're a shooter who will ever wear the barrel out, the cost of the barrel isn't the big deal. Even at .50-$1/round, if it takes 8000 rounds (random number across calibers for hypothetical math) to wear out a premium 400MODBB Bartlein - You've spent $4,000-$8,000 in ammo, and God only knows how much in travel, optics, and time in the field to whack those coyotes, pigs, or other perfectly innocent forest creatures.
So with all that said, buy the barrel that is going to be the need for your VOLUME. I think that once you get to Craddock and all the other shops who's names are synonymous that offer grades, there may be some differential in the method used between crafting a $400 barrel vs a $1000 barrel but it has more to do with the material and expectation of a customer that can actually tell a 1/4 min difference.
If you're going to hit the range well enough to get your dope out to 400-500 and confirm it regularly, then proceed to whack deer, pigs and yotes - even at a couple hundred a year - a RTR will last you a decade or more at least. My sons and I have been running house brand Craddock 556s for years and we shoot more than the average bears, training classes 2X a year, competition a tiny bit, hunt pigs and yotes frequently with those and others, but they're just starting to show the type of wear in the beginning of the barrel that makes me think in another few thousand rounds they may be ready for replacements.
If you're going to shoot a match a practice match every week, a real match every month, and hope to be on the podium at regionals or better - get the 400MODBB AND a Kreiger and let us know which shoots better/last longer.
*Afterthought - the new "400MODBB" barrel material is yet harder than the prior Bartlein barrels.
So lets say you're a high level, long distance shooter - a buddy of mine who was a top 100 High Power shooter in years gone by - I think he said they would notice the beginning of accuracy falling off between 3-4K, but they were still serviceable for thousands of rounds if you turned and cut them for carbine barrels.
Depending on the caliber and how fast it chews out the neck etc - I'd guess that if the house brand is a baseline, a Bartlein might be baseline + 50%, and a 400MODBB might be another 25-50% past that.
I believe cost roughly tracks those parameters as well.
But - this has probably been mentioned once or twice - if you're a shooter who will ever wear the barrel out, the cost of the barrel isn't the big deal. Even at .50-$1/round, if it takes 8000 rounds (random number across calibers for hypothetical math) to wear out a premium 400MODBB Bartlein - You've spent $4,000-$8,000 in ammo, and God only knows how much in travel, optics, and time in the field to whack those coyotes, pigs, or other perfectly innocent forest creatures.
So with all that said, buy the barrel that is going to be the need for your VOLUME. I think that once you get to Craddock and all the other shops who's names are synonymous that offer grades, there may be some differential in the method used between crafting a $400 barrel vs a $1000 barrel but it has more to do with the material and expectation of a customer that can actually tell a 1/4 min difference.
If you're going to hit the range well enough to get your dope out to 400-500 and confirm it regularly, then proceed to whack deer, pigs and yotes - even at a couple hundred a year - a RTR will last you a decade or more at least. My sons and I have been running house brand Craddock 556s for years and we shoot more than the average bears, training classes 2X a year, competition a tiny bit, hunt pigs and yotes frequently with those and others, but they're just starting to show the type of wear in the beginning of the barrel that makes me think in another few thousand rounds they may be ready for replacements.
If you're going to shoot a match a practice match every week, a real match every month, and hope to be on the podium at regionals or better - get the 400MODBB AND a Kreiger and let us know which shoots better/last longer.
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I pulled the trigger on a 14.5" .223 barrel after seeing the nice little 4th of July discount. I am excited to try one out, but would love to still see everyone's own feedback and experiences. I will report back whenever I finish my goofy little precision build.
Just build another upper in a different barrel length with the RTR like I didI’m 9 months into waiting for a custom .308 Bartlein and keep fighting off the urge call and switch it to a RTR
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Accuracy was good but I haven't been able to play with it enough to show you pics of tight groups. Hopefully that will change soon!
Much appreciated! Joe from Bruiser industries had good results with the AAC 77smk and i've been itching to try the mk262 alpha from BlackArc Munitions, so hoping to eventually get this built.
The new Grendel RTRs have dropped. Pay no attention to them being named after me, I have no financial interest, just a friendly relationship with Craddock that goes back to the White Oak days.
craddockprecision.com
RTR 6.5 Grendel 13.9" The Pangris
craddockprecision.com
Got my .750 on order! Getting the handguard and upper cerakoted now. Looking forward to getting it. I’m actually curious about the .625 too but thought I better not get too wild too quicklyThe new Grendel RTRs have dropped. Pay no attention to them being named after me, I have no financial interest, just a friendly relationship with Craddock that goes back to the White Oak days.
RTR 6.5 Grendel 13.9" The Pangris
You got both the .625 and .750? Let us know how the .625 turns out! Probably the one I’m going with
So tried out a 20” RTR in 22 ARC today. It was just a quick function check but it shot factory 62elvt well. Average of 3166 with SD of 15 for 14 shots.
The RTR seems to be on the right path. Some more data.
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Got my 18” .223 RTR out and it’s already sub-MOA for 5 shot groups w/ AAC 75 Black Tips. These are button rifled so I’d expect it to tighten up a smidge over the next 100-200 rounds, so shooting this tight out of the box I’m very impressed.
Very interested in this thread. I just disassembled a 20" 6mm ARC AR-15. The Bartlein medium heavy barrel was contoured by Precision Firearms with a rifle +1 gas system (.875 gas block) plus their side charging BCG and bolt. Seriously accurate but just too heavy for me. The Craddock RTR 11.5" 6mm ARC looks interesting. Trying to put together a lightweight build without going with a pencil barrel. Just a range toy and possibly the occasional hog and coyote. Is 11.5" just too short for the 6mm ARC?
Only you know the answer to this. Completely depends on your priorities and wants.
I'm the worst one to ask cause I'd say put that damn thing back together & just build the LW shorty to go with it.
Edit: Tell yourself, your just going to build the upper (that's usually how I trick myself into a new build).
I have a 12.5 6arc and I haven’t stretched its legs or killed anything with it but the numbers add up pretty sweet. With the right barrel I think it’s a great option as long as you know what you’re getting with such a combination. I got my barrel right before I got on the RTR train but my Beer City Bullets can absolutely hang with my higher end barrels and I’d definitely buy another. But if RTR is an option that certainly seems to be valid too based on the results I’m getting with my other three barrels.
Couple of questions about the 12.5 ARC. What barrel contour works best for a shorty for shooting suppressed? What gas length gas system to mitigate significant blow back? Will a shorty handle 103's?
Dunno a lot of that, I’ve never been that into dicking with the gas system. I’m just using the stock BCB 12.5” with a regular gas block. Feeds runs and shoots fine with Hornady BTHPs, ELDMs and ELDXs. Actually it straight sings with ELDXs. It also shot those Druid Hills lighter loads around or under MOA too.
I took my 18” 5.56 RTR out today. I’m working on other things but want to try and polish up the barrel so I’m slowly shooting rounds through it when I can. I still don’t think I’ve broken the 100 round mark on it. I did two five round groups of AAC 75 Black Tip. One measured .70 MOA and the other was .59 MOA. Given the winds I was shooting against I’m beyond happy, and looking to swap a few of my rifles out to more RTRs. I’ve got a 13.9 6.5 Grendel on the way and hope it’ll fare well against my Lilja and Proof I’ll be shooting it against.
I’m thinking of replacing my 18” proof with a 14.7” rtr. Curious what you’re getting for velocity / accuracy if you’ve put a couple hundred rounds down the pipe?
I honestly haven't had a chance to do much shooting due to family obligations.
So far I've seen around .75- 1 MOA out of the RTR with factory ammo, no Handloads yet.
There is plenty of online data showing MV on the 14.5" 6mmARC barrels.. if accuracy is your main concern I'd recommend the Proof Research SS 14.5 over the RTR.
Haven’t mounted my RTR yet, hoping to get time to start shooting it later this month.
I’ve got a few Proofs and RTRs each across multiple calibers now.it’s honestly been pretty neck and neck for me. In .223 my RTR is doing better than my Proofs, and my Proofs are no slouch. My Grendel and Arc proofs are both very sub-MOA with the right ammo, I’d expect an average 5-shot group to be around 3/4 MOA. But meanwhile my 300BLK RTRs will put out .8 MOA 5-round groups, which to me is more impressive when a 10” 300BLK does .8 than when an 18” 6Arc does 2/3 MOA.
So I dunno, for me it’s close enough that it’d almost depend on the individual barrel and load than the brand. My Proofs are excellent barrels but, and maybe I’ve just gotten lucky, but I’ve been through the roof with my RTRs enough that I have two more in the mail currently.
