Are they worth the cash? I procured one recently chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and finished at 20". I have it listed in the PX section but I'm seriously debating on building a rifle around it. How are they compared to JP, Larue, or any other top manufacturer? What can I expect if I build with some quality parts?
Lothar Walther Barrel
- Thread starter Greg0326
- Start date
I have had one on a Savage 10FP build since about 2003, 260 Rem SAAMI chamber, 28" length, 1:8" Twist. I have fired it somewhat sparingly because replacing it could get pricey. Current round count stands at around 1000-1200 rounds. Some years back, I had a discussion with L-W regarding bore life expectations, based on throat movement (very small at the time, still kinda small) and loads, and we arrived at a number right around 2400. Since then, however, my loads have been decreased, so I'm kinda in the dark about bore life projections. L-W's LW-50 Stainless has a reputation for toughness and extended bore life.
I have been totally satisfied with this purchase. It was intended for F Open 1000yd competition, and did as well as my own limited abilities could permit over a couple (three?) years at Bodines/"Williamsport" in PA.. I am currently doing a fairly slow process of load development using the newer Hornady 143gr ELD-X. with H-4350, and may also try H-4831SC. Since I now live and shoot at about 4000ft-4500ft ASL, velocity no longer carries the premium it did when I previously seldom got above 850Ft ASL.
Mine was identical to the L-W drop-ins, but ordered several years before drop-ins became a stocked item. Since L-W is currently reorganizing their US website, I have some difficulty identifying whether or not the previously available drop-ins remain a stocked item.
L-W is essentially the world's largest producer of custom and OEM barrels. Their custom lapped barrels are claimed to go beyond where other makes do, and I cannot find any fault with this description. When I got it, I began the fire, clean, fire, clean process; but the barrel completely stopped showing copper deposition after the 7th round, and I quit the process after 10 rounds.
The next Upper I build will employ a L-W barrel and matched bolt, will be intended for precision, and there will probably be more after that one.
Greg
I have been totally satisfied with this purchase. It was intended for F Open 1000yd competition, and did as well as my own limited abilities could permit over a couple (three?) years at Bodines/"Williamsport" in PA.. I am currently doing a fairly slow process of load development using the newer Hornady 143gr ELD-X. with H-4350, and may also try H-4831SC. Since I now live and shoot at about 4000ft-4500ft ASL, velocity no longer carries the premium it did when I previously seldom got above 850Ft ASL.
Mine was identical to the L-W drop-ins, but ordered several years before drop-ins became a stocked item. Since L-W is currently reorganizing their US website, I have some difficulty identifying whether or not the previously available drop-ins remain a stocked item.
L-W is essentially the world's largest producer of custom and OEM barrels. Their custom lapped barrels are claimed to go beyond where other makes do, and I cannot find any fault with this description. When I got it, I began the fire, clean, fire, clean process; but the barrel completely stopped showing copper deposition after the 7th round, and I quit the process after 10 rounds.
The next Upper I build will employ a L-W barrel and matched bolt, will be intended for precision, and there will probably be more after that one.
Greg
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Where did you get this information from?? Many people dont know, but Green Mountain is the largest OEM barrel producer today. They produce more OEM barrels than anyone and from what I was last told produce 3.5 Million barrels per year....
I got it from L-W, but I also got it back around 2003. Reviewing the newly revised website, I no longer can find such a claim; apologies for spreading old news.
After typing the above, I took a brief look at the Green Mountain site, and am duly impressed. I will follow that up.
Greg
After typing the above, I took a brief look at the Green Mountain site, and am duly impressed. I will follow that up.
Greg
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I want to try one of their LW50 blanks, but their site no longer references LW50 or 17-4. Does anyone know for sure that all their stainless blanks are LW50?
Ive seen how Green Mountain barrels shoot first hand recently and they are probably the best bang for your buck button barrel on the market. They shoot as good as a Criterion, Shilen, etc. Are they a Kreiger, Bartlein, Rock cut rifled barrel, no. They shoot lights out and are inexpensive. Have one spun up for your Stag 223. Inexpensive and I promise you it will out shoot your factory Stag barrel
Hit up www.keystoneaccuracy.com and they will get you one in 2 weeks turnaround or less.
Lothar Walther used, and I’m assuming still uses, 17-4 stainless for their barrels where most barrel makers use 416 or similar. LW calls it LW50. The different alloys have different properties; for our uses, my understanding is 17-4 is harder to chamber but lasts longer. I haven’t chambered one though, although I have threaded some.
My 16in .223 Wylde LW50 Lothar Walther AR barrel does .62moa 5x5 as shown here (bottom of page). If I handloaded and had a better trigger, could probably cut that down even further.
The price was $199. Cannot beat that imho. Now they jacked the price to $269, but still a killer deal. Long barrel life, truer poly-ish rifling, LW50SS. Their Varmit barrels are pretty darn pricey though at around $450, which puts you into CLE Bartlein territory, so I'd probably just get a CLE if you were looking at something like that.
The price was $199. Cannot beat that imho. Now they jacked the price to $269, but still a killer deal. Long barrel life, truer poly-ish rifling, LW50SS. Their Varmit barrels are pretty darn pricey though at around $450, which puts you into CLE Bartlein territory, so I'd probably just get a CLE if you were looking at something like that.
Hi,
Strictly speaking from what is listed on Green Mountains website..they are able to produce 20 Million lineal inches of barrels per year. So if we use 16 inches as the "average" barrel that would put them producing 1.25 Million barrels. So either they need to do a serious updating to their website or someone is providing exaggerated information to Padom....
"Our production facilities have the capacity to drill 20 million lineal inches of tightly controlled holes per year."
Sincerely,
Theis
Padom; looked up the link, as well as reviewing the GM site. Not finding an 24" AR barrels, I took a more lengthy look at the M-20 Stainless 20", 1:8", and find some significant appeal for it. I'll probably use one for an Upper build sometime in the next year or so, using Stag parts.
Greg
Greg
this was told to me by a huge buyer of theirs just last week. their site hasn't been updated in some time. feel free to call them and inquire foe yourself if you wish.
Greg. I don't buy barrels directly from them. call Keystone, John has blanks in stock he can contour to anything you want and chamber in anything you want and flute if you wish.
Greg. I don't buy barrels directly from them. call Keystone, John has blanks in stock he can contour to anything you want and chamber in anything you want and flute if you wish.
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