Polygonal: 3 groove VS 5 groove barrels

[WxWatcher]

For the price, Rainier Arms select barrel is pretty hard to beat. I was reading over some reviews, and the reviews I have read listed their barrels as poly 3 groove. I've been lurking on RA's site having seen that the select will be back in stock "soon" (already ordered from them the Mega billet upper/lower) and noticed the barrel is now listed as poly 5 groove.

Any idea as to if/how accuracy would/may change going from 3 to 5? Or who is likely manufacturing the barrels for RA so I can try to read up on their reviews?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

 

[BCP]

Re: Polygonal: 3 groove VS 5 groove barrels

3 groove barrels can be very accurate as can 5 groove or 4 groove or...

Rainier Select are made by (I think black hole), Select Match are Wilson blanks machined by compass lake or white oak, Ultra are Shilen.

They are as good as anything else for the price. Big difference is that Rainier stands behind their barrels 90 days refund policy. So if it doesn't shoot to your liking you aren't stuck with a dud.

My recommendation is to buy a rainier ultra match if you can afford it.

 

[mjh30]

Re: Polygonal: 3 groove VS 5 groove barrels

WxWatcher, I was under the impression that BHW was only making 3 land poly barrels at the moment, they use to offer both, but stated they went to the 3 land as they only wanted to make the best possible. Its entirely possible that Rainier spec'd the barrels the way they wanted them. I would call Rainier and ask if there were 3 or 5 land.

 

[thespecialist]

Re: Polygonal: 3 groove VS 5 groove barrels

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mjh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">WxWatcher, I was under the impression that BHW was only making 3 land poly barrels at the moment, they use to offer both, but stated they went to the 3 land as they only wanted to make the best possible. Its entirely possible that Rainier spec'd the barrels the way they wanted them. I would call Rainier and ask if there were 3 or 5 land. </div></div>

You're correct on BHW only making them with 3 groove poly rifling. If you can bear the wait times, they make excellent barrels and Carl stands behind them 100%.

 

[WxWatcher]

Re: Polygonal: 3 groove VS 5 groove barrels

So 5 groove poly on such a small caliber as 5.56, each side of the poly would be significantly smaller than that of a 3 side poly. As each surface area would be smaller, would it (the 5) be more prone to wear than that of the 3?

 

[BCP]

Re: Polygonal: 3 groove VS 5 groove barrels

I think barrel material, the loads you shoot and how you shoot will determine wear more than how many grooves the rifling has.

 

[WxWatcher]

Re: Polygonal: 3 groove VS 5 groove barrels

The material is stainless 416R. I know there is better, but not sure if the difference is appreciable.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Polygonal: 3 groove VS 5 groove barrels

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think barrel material, the loads you shoot and how you shoot will determine wear more than how many grooves the rifling has. </div></div>
couldn't agree more and there isn't much to add either.

 

[BCP]

Re: Polygonal: 3 groove VS 5 groove barrels

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WxWatcher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The material is stainless 416R. I know there is better, but not sure if the difference is appreciable. </div></div>

If you're worried about wear there are various coatings/treatments that are supposed to make barrels last longer but I have no idea on quality. AR15performance is one that I saw give them a look.