PVA Barrel Options

[PBWalsh]

Hi, hopefully going to be buying a Mausingfield or Nucleus in about 1 - 2 months and am going to get a pre-fit from PVA (or go against myself and get an AI). I was looking at the options and noticed there is a $100 difference for a button rifled and a cut-rifled barrel.

I’m going to get a light or medium palma, 20”, threaded, 1-10” twisted barrel chambered in .308. I do not shoot competitions and would be estatic if I could pull off a sub .75” group. So needless to say, I understand I am not good enough to see the difference in price translate into accuracy.

But for education, what is the difference in the two options? I know PVA cranks out accurate barrels, but are the cut barrels somehow more accurate or consistent?

 

[SoloAmigo]

Hi, I have a Nucleus on pre order and had the same question concerning the cut-rifled and button rifled option. I am very interested in the PVA barrels for the Nucleus. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[m1match]

Theoretically single point cut rifled barrels could be more uniform barrel to barrel. Button rifled barrels are made by pulling a button through the drilled barrel blank forming the rifling. This introduces stress that has to be relieved by heat treating. In practice you will see matches won by shooters using both types of barrels, but probably more of the top shooters are using cut rifled barrels. I have both and can see no difference in accuracy as long as they are from the top tier barrel makers and chambered by a gunsmith who knows what they are doing. Cut rifled barrels are more expensive because the process to make them takes more time on the machine and more wear on the tooling.

 

[b6graham]

Josh has been shooting the button rifled Hancock barrel in 6 dasher/br I forget which and it sounds like it's been a damn good barrel

Excited to get my hancock and put it through the wringer. If it shoots, which in sure it will, ill find it hard to spend the extra on cut rifling. I don't know that I'm good enough to notice the difference and id rather spend the money on ammo

 

[Jimmy31593]

I have shot a pretty large number of PVA rifles/barrels. The cut barrels PVA has done have all been top notch. The button rifled barrels I have shot have also shot amazing. I really don't think you can go wrong with either. Either one will shoot great. I personally choose cut rifled but I wouldn't mind if my next batch of barrels were button.

 

[Notdylan]

The way I understand it is that neither process produces a barrel more accurate than the other when they are done right.

As a generalality, cut rifling produces a more consistent barrel across X number of barrels. Where as if the condition of the button isn't monitored properly it can introduce stress or other discrepancies into the barrel.

As long as it's from a quality maker, I wouldn't be concerned. I put my money towards a PVA button barrel in 6 Creed.

 

[PBWalsh]

Understood. Is there any percievable difference in shot to shot as far as SD/ES in your loads?

Again, I know It’ll be a while before my personal reloads will be consistent enough to see a difference, just curious.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

Along the same line, would you guys expect to see one type barrel out lasting, or having a longer life than, the other type? Or would they tend to wear equally?

 

[trob_205]

Along the same line, would you guys expect to see one type barrel out lasting, or having a longer life than, the other type? Or would they tend to wear equally?

I would say generally cut rifling barrels last longer than button rifled barrels but I’m sure there is always exceptions.

 

[padom]

correct. Cut rifled barrels are generally going to last longer than button barrels. accuracy is the same. I have a PVA cut rifled, PVA Button (John Hancock Prototype) and a Keystone Button all in 6.5x47L. They are all showing the same accuracy with the same loads.

 

[SoloAmigo]

Thank all of you for the information. It is very appreaciated.

 

[Sogan]

correct. Cut rifled barrels are generally going to last longer than button barrels. accuracy is the same. I have a PVA cut rifled, PVA Button (John Hancock Prototype) and a Keystone Button all in 6.5x47L. They are all showing the same accuracy with the same loads.

Any idea on how much longer cut vs buttoned would last? Is it worth the $125 for the extra barrel life or no?

 

[padom]

Any idea on how much longer cut vs buttoned would last? Is it worth the $125 for the extra barrel life or no?

There is no exact answer, all depends on your load, do you shoot slow strings, are you dumping 10-12rds in 90sec all day in PRS...but generally cut will last longer before cramping out.