Keystone Accuracy Bighorn TL3 Button Barrel Testing

[padom]

Keystone Accuracy is a local gunsmith that has done barrel work for me in the past. Keystone recently asked me to test one of their button barrels that they speak very highly of. I was more than glad to shoot the hell out of it. Keystone uses 416 SS Green Mountain blanks for most of their button barrels and contours, threads and chambers them in house to your specs. They offer other blanks as well including Wilson and Kreiger to name a few. I've never tested a Green Mountain blank but have heard good things from guys that have shot their 22LR and 223 Wylde AR barrels. I was looking forward to see what it could do.

26" 6.5x47 Lapua
Green Mountain Button 1:8
416 SS
M24 Contour
Bighorn TL3 Shouldered Tenon
Muzzle Threaded 5/8-24"

I havent done any load development or testing on this barrel prior to todays testing. In my experience, button barrels have really tightened up in the 25-50rd mark. Because of this I loaded up 55rds of junk Nosler 130 RDF's with 41.1g H4350 in virgin Lapua brass just to get some rounds down the barrel. The 130 RDF's did not disappoint, they shot like shit like they have in every barrel I've tested them in. LOL. I put 35rd through it then put a wet patch down the bore of CLP then dry patched it out. I then put the remaining 20rds down the barrel and let the barrel cool down.

I then shot a 5x5 over the LabRadar at 100yds with some 130 Bergers. First group down the barrel was 0.342". At this point I had been outside in 35F for 2hr and my hands were pretty frozen. I will be loading up some more 130 Hybrids to shoot at distance next range trip.

To recap I was more than surprised at how well this Green Mountain shot. Especially with zero load development. Really good deal on a great shooting barrel for sure.



200yd


300yd

 

[padom]

I just loaded up another 55rd of the 130 AR Hybrids to test at distance with this barrel. 100, 200, 300, 500. Now if we can get a calm day around here. Blowing 25 with gusts up to 40 today. Hopefully tomorrow is calmer. Stay tuned

 

[Possumpete]

I just loaded up another 55rd of the 130 AR Hybrids to test at distance with this barrel. 100, 200, 300, 500. Now if we can get a calm day around here. Blowing 25 with gusts up to 40 today. Hopefully tomorrow is calmer. Stay tuned

Curious,if you’ve had a chance to get out and shoot this barrel anymore? Thanks for review

 

[padom]

I got out last week on a windy day and shot some half moa 5 shot groups with 130 Bergers at 300yds. I havent done any load development for it yet. Just shooting 130 Bergers over 41.1g H4350 to get some rounds down the barrel and its shooting nicely. Will work up a 140g load this week for it.

200yd

300yd

 

[Possumpete]

Thanks,I have been thinking about giving them a call about a tl3 shouldered barrel.

 

[Robby0931]

I've also been wondering about Keystones shouldered barrels, thanks for the updates!

 

[jsthntn247]

Very nice

 

[arm017]

Hey Padom - any updates on this guy? Also looks like you stopped noting the SD/ ES of each individual group?

 

[memilanuk]

@padom for some reason I can't see any of the pics you posted...?

 

[jsthntn247]

I don't see shouldered barrels listed on their site anymore

 

[lte82]

I don't see shouldered barrels listed on their site anymore

https://www.keystoneaccuracy.com/Keystone-Custom-Shop.html

 

[padom]

Call or email. They do them all

 

[Precisiondada]

Any idea what type of lead time they are working with on their shouldered barrels?

 

[padom]

Calling or emailing them will give you the most accurate answer but usually 2 weeks or less

 

[308pirate]

I've been told on the internet that button rifled barrels don't shoot and that I should only buy cut rifled barrels.







J/K

 

[lte82]

I've been told on the internet that button rifled barrels don't shoot and that I should only buy cut rifled barrels.

We should probably start a thread on which one is better. You know, just to be sure. LOL

 

[Precisiondada]

Calling or emailing them will give you the most accurate answer but usually 2 weeks or less

Well that’s a breath of fresh air thanks for the info! Getting ready to order one for an origin build and was reading on another thread someone was into 22 weeks waiting on a PVA shouldered. Sorry to derail your thread sir!

 

[memilanuk]

I thought it was interesting that they don't actually say what kind of 'button rifled' barrels they use on the website. They'll tell you if you email them, but don't exactly volunteer the information - i.e. I had to ask twice, the second time specifically "what *brand* of button-rifle barrels to you use?".

I don't have a problem with button-rifled barrels at all. I will admit, GM barrels are kind of new to me - previously most of the time I'd heard them associated with rimfire (10/22) stuff.

Too bad I can't *see* any of the pictures to get an idea of how they shoot...

 

[ZEROGUY]

Well that’s a breath of fresh air thanks for the info! Getting ready to order one for an origin build and was reading on another thread someone was into 22 weeks waiting on a PVA shouldered. Sorry to derail your thread sir!

Wow gotta feel bad for that guy. I must have really lucked out, my PVA pre-fit only took 19 weeks...

 

[padom]

I thought it was interesting that they don't actually say what kind of 'button rifled' barrels they use on the website. They'll tell you if you email them, but don't exactly volunteer the information - i.e. I had to ask twice, the second time specifically "what *brand* of button-rifle barrels to you use?".

I don't have a problem with button-rifled barrels at all. I will admit, GM barrels are kind of new to me - previously most of the time I'd heard them associated with rimfire (10/22) stuff.

Too bad I can't *see* any of the pictures to get an idea of how they shoot...

Why is it interesting? Its pretty well known Keystone uses GM blanks for their button barrels and I've never once heard John withholding that info.

His GM barrels straight shoot. Mines a laser and a buddy has won some PRS club matches with the same GM 6.5x47L barrel.

 

[AccuSol-ERN]

Typically, GM barrels are large in the land/groove dimensions. You can contact them and they will send you a list of their bore dimensions per caliber. I have used a few GM barrels for ultra cheap varmint blasters for friends and family. I wouldn't feel right about selling one to a customer, others may disagree. I prefer to minimize the chance of an unhappy customer so I use top tier components. When you factor in the cost of labor/shipping/etc...…..it's ALWAYS better to start with a quality blank.

Padom,

I am a little late to the party, did you post the velocity your were getting??? My GM blanks have been more prone to copper foul and run slower velocities compared to top tier blanks......which IS expected at a lower price point.

Ern

 

[padom]

Typically, GM barrels are large in the land/groove dimensions. You can contact them and they will send you a list of their bore dimensions per caliber. I have used a few GM barrels for ultra cheap varmint blasters for friends and family. I wouldn't feel right about selling one to a customer, others may disagree. I prefer to minimize the chance of an unhappy customer so I use top tier components. When you factor in the cost of labor/shipping/etc...…..it's ALWAYS better to start with a quality blank.

Padom,

I am a little late to the party, did you post the velocity your were getting??? My GM blanks have been more prone to copper foul and run slower velocities compared to top tier blanks......which IS expected at a lower price point.

Ern

You wouldn't sell a GM blank to a customer that wanted to save money vs a cut rifled blank? Keystone has personally done 2 of these for me (6.5x47L and 223rem) and they shot just as good as my cut rifled blanks. Only difference is they crapped out sooner than a cut rifled barrel.

No fouling issues and velocities are dead on exact with identical barrels by Kreiger and Bartlein. No speed difference with same load. Everything I test is shot over a LabRadar. 130 AR Hybrids or 130 ELD-M with 41.1g H4350 in Lapua brass in both the GM and Kreiger 6.5x47L are 2825

 

[AccuSol-ERN]

I am simply saying the few hundred dollars saved on a lower quality blank (be honest) is very minor when you look at the overall rifle cost and what is expected of it. Of course, it also depends on the customer's expectations.

If GM and builders that use them can provide customers with a product they are happy with......great.

Ern

 

[padom]

I am simply saying the few hundred dollars saved on a lower quality blank (be honest) is very minor when you look at the overall rifle cost and what is expected of it. Of course, it also depends on the customer's expectations.

If GM and builders that use them can provide customers with a product they are happy with......great.

Ern

I've been nothing but honest and the results speak for themselves...Are you saying you have first hand experience with GM's SS Turned on Center blanks having issues? What issues have you experienced that makes them "low quality" like you suggest?

Some people dont have that few hundred extra dollars to get a cut rifled blank. The GM blank doesnt put them at a disadvantage from the many examples I've seen and have first hand experience with. It's an excellent option for those that want a custom barrel on the less expensive end and still obtain excellent performance.

Keystone GM barrels have also won and placed multiple times in the top 5 at club and regional PRS matches in 2018.

 

[padom]

It would be nice to see the results of your test

Links fixed

 

[Jackomason]

I wish there were more reviews of these keystone shouldered barrels. I heard somewhere that if you send them a big horn action they'll torque it on for free? Saves me from buying tools for a bit. I'll have to look at more reviews of the GM barrels but I would imagine that they would act like any other button barrel. Has anyone else taken the risk?

 

[spiche]

I wish there were more reviews of these keystone shouldered barrels. I heard somewhere that if you send them a big horn action they'll torque it on for free? Saves me from buying tools for a bit. I'll have to look at more reviews of the GM barrels but I would imagine that they would act like any other button barrel. Has anyone else taken the risk?

I just ordered a 6 Creed prefit from keystone for my origin, however it is a kreiger cut rifled blank. I originally wanted to keep it less expensive and go button, but he only had the kreiger blanks at the moment.

Hopefully in a few weeks I can report on my experience.

Steve

 

[Habituallinestepper]

Looking forward to hearing about it.

 

[padom]

I have multiple Keystone Kreigers and 1 GM all shouldered barrels for my TL3's. They all shoot lights out.

 

[Jackomason]

Yeah I think I'll try a 224v button barrel I'm ok with waiting. It's going to be a slow build.

 

[M_kats28]

I just ordered a 6 Creed prefit from keystone for my origin, however it is a kreiger cut rifled blank. I originally wanted to keep it less expensive and go button, but he only had the kreiger blanks at the moment.

Hopefully in a few weeks I can report on my experience.

Steve

Any update how’s it shooting thanks.

 

[lte82]

Here are some 5 shot shot groups from load testing with a Keystone Krieger 6br yesterday. The last target was 5 shots from the 5 different charge weights. The lowest charge weight was out a bit right. The other 4 made a .2x moa group in the center. Definitely a forgiving round and an accurate barrel.

 

[bravesirrobin]

Does anyone know if Keystone can spin up a shouldered prefit for the Nucleus? I realize it's not currently listed on their website.

 

[ThePretzel]

Does anyone know if Keystone can spin up a shouldered prefit for the Nucleus? I realize it's not currently listed on their website.

He shouldn't have any issues, the specs for barrel tenon are published publicly and the tolerances are tight enough to allow pre-fits to work on these actions. Give John a call and ask tomorrow morning, he'll know for certain.

One thing I will say is his lead time for getting barrels out the door is second to none. I ordered my Impact 6BR Krieger pre-fit on a Wednesday evening and had an email notifying me of the shipment waiting for me when I woke up on Friday morning. The barrel was in my hands the next Tuesday.

 

[tomcatfan]

I noticed these guys make RPR prefits at a pretty good price.

 

[M_kats28]

I’m going back and forth on a button barrel or a krieger 6.5x47l from him. Probably will just bite the bullet and go krieger

 

[ThePretzel]

I’m going back and forth on a button barrel or a krieger 6.5x47l from him. Probably will just bite the bullet and go krieger

I went Krieger just because he said his customers were noticing measurably longer barrel life with them compared to the Green Mountain button barrels. The accuracy was the same, he said, just a difference in barrel life. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not deal with developing new loads for a new barrel more often than I have to.

 

[lte82]

Some 5 shot groups from today testing 8208 and double checking an AR Comp load with this 6br. I think I shot more groups that were bug holes than weren't.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

What bullet and speeds were u getting with those 2 powders?

 

[lte82]

What bullet and speeds were u getting with those 2 powders?

Im using 105 hybrids. The accuracy nodes in this barrel are 2830 with AR Comp, 2850 with 8208. You can go a bit faster but the groups arent quite as consistent.

 

[spiche]

Any update how’s it shooting thanks.

I actually am going to start shooting this on Tuesday.
I would up having to send my stock back to Manners to to be re inletted to clear the heavy Palma contour.

Hopefully will have some data by next weekend.

Steve