The "New" Barrett MRAD Thread!!!!!!

Would you care to explain that in a little bit more detail and/or provide the source you are referencing?

I'm basing it solely off the quick view of the lugs you get in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZF2HWwKkCo

at the 19 second mark, you can see the bolt laying on the table, it looks like looks like 3 lugs
30 second mnark, the barrel is removed, and you can see the chamber, and grooves for 3 locking lugs.
then at 41 seconds you again see the lugs as the bolt is inserted in to a barrel outside of the chassis.
 
Would you care to explain that in a little bit more detail and/or provide the source you are referencing?

Are you a Lawyer? You are starting too anoy me! You are a self-proclaimed FN fan Boy. Would you like to have proof mailed to your door? Get of you lazy ass and look for yourself. This is a thread about the Barrett MRAD. Not the Fucking Ballista. If you want to start a thread about the Fn then have at it. Then I can come over and shit it your thread.
 
I'm basing it solely off the quick view of the lugs you get in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZF2HWwKkCo

at the 19 second mark, you can see the bolt laying on the table, it looks like looks like 3 lugs
30 second mnark, the barrel is removed, and you can see the chamber, and grooves for 3 locking lugs.
then at 41 seconds you again see the lugs as the bolt is inserted in to a barrel outside of the chassis.

I meant what leads you to believe that the FN's bolt is beefier than the Barrett's? The fact that it has 3 locking lugs?

Are you a Lawyer? You are starting too anoy me! You are a self-proclaimed FN fan Boy. Would you like to have proof mailed to your door? Get of you lazy ass and look for yourself. This is a thread about the Barrett MRAD. Not the Fucking Ballista. If you want to start a thread about the Fn then have at it. Then I can come over and shit it your thread.

You should chill out. I'm not saying that the Ballista is better than the MRAD, or vice versa. I'm simply asking how the components of the two compare to each other.

Take a deep breath and go have a beer.....your response was way too emotional given the simple question I was asking.
 
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I meant what leads you to believe that the FN's bolt is beefier than the Barrett's?

The lugs simply appear larger (there is however less of them). I'm no metallurgist nor am I any sort of engineer or firearms designer. When I say beefier, I meant in visual appearance only. Does that mean the FN's lugs are better or worse? I have no idea, but they are definitely bigger, the flip side is that the MRAD's lugs should have far more surface area, again, does that make the barrett design better? As long as the barrett goes bang and sends the projectile downrange rather then boom and the bolt comes flying backwards, I'm happy with the design they chose.
 
I meant what leads you to believe that the FN's bolt is beefier than the Barrett's? The fact that it has 3 locking lugs?



You should chill out. I'm not saying that the Ballista is better than the MRAD, or vice versa. I'm simply asking how the components of the two compare to each other.

Take a deep breath and go have a beer.....your response was way too emotional given the simple question I was asking.

Its a little early for a beer, but if you insist. Is canuck's above explanation enough for you?
 
Back to the Barrett. I went out and shot the 20" Win Mag barrel, broke it in and Zero'd my Gen 2 razor. I took my Lab radar along for fun. I chrono'd 39 of the 40 rounds shot. I averaged 2820 FPS with the Hornady American whitetail 180 SP, the SD was 25 with a laughable ES of 109. For $21 a box not to bad, not all that great. I purchased just for the brass. Info on the box states a 2960 FPS for this load out of a 24" barrel? With a 140 FPS loss, I was expecting more, maybe around 160 FPS loss? I shot 10 shots and cleaned every shot. 10 more cleaning every 2 shots. 9 more cleaning every 3. 4 more, cleaned. Then finished with 3 4/5 shot groups. Or something like that.
Best group size was around 1" with quite a few holes touching, but aways a flyer or two with that ES.

Thats what's so nice about the Lab radar, I can shoot with it all the time. With variations in velocity it's easy to explain a flyer with a 100fps shift.

I picked up some IMR 4831 and basic RCBS dies and headed to the bench. After resizing brass, it didn't even grow enough to be trimmed?

Putting together some OCW load this morning to shoot a 300 yards with some 230 berger target hybrids. With this stout 20" barrel it will be interesting to see how much variation is due to velocity vs. barrel whip.

IanHusaberg out
 
I got mine in the deep chocolate brown ( officially called multi role brown). I think it looks great, but I prefer for things to be a little different from 'everything everyone else has' which is why I wouldn't do feel, black or green. The titanium looks awesome as well , but it's just my opinion, your mileage may vary.
 
What is everyone's favorite color for the MRAD? I'll be getting one in 1~2 months. I'm thinking od green or fde.

Mine is multi-brown and matches my gen 2 razor exactly. Couldn't be happier!!! I bought mine from EuroOptic at a steep discount. Check out their sale page. It's either brown or silver gen 1. For almost saving 2K it's worth having a little more weight. I think they do lay-away 20 down, 60-90 days? put money down now and thank yourself later.
 
Anyone want to talk about there 308 barrels? My 22" 308 fluted just showed up. Anyone want to talk about there carbon barrel Vs. Heavy/Fluted barrel if they have had both? Or any caliber for that matter. Any grain bullet that the 22" 1 in 10 twist likes. I've got 208 eld's, 185 Jugger's. Commence talking amoungst yourselves?
 
Anyone want to talk about there 308 barrels? My 22" 308 fluted just showed up. Anyone want to talk about there carbon barrel Vs. Heavy/Fluted barrel if they have had both? Or any caliber for that matter. Any grain bullet that the 22" 1 in 10 twist likes. I've got 208 eld's, 185 Jugger's. Commence talking amoungst yourselves?

so I headed off to the range to break in my 308 barrel. I had some 178 hornady match rounds kicking around, so I loaded them up over 42 grains of varget (I just chose the amount randomly, knowing it was well below the max). First round down the pipe was 1.75 inches left of bull, so I dialed in 7 clicks right, cleaned the barrel, then proceeded to shoot one, clean, shoot one, clean, etc for a total of 7 shots. I pulled one, but this was the result... 1 MOA with the flier, .6 MOA if I discard it. Not too bad for some ammo I tossed together to break in the barrel.
V35NwGE.jpg
 
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Did you ever find the 4 inches you lost from your 300WM barrel?

20" 300 win mag is no longer my problem, shipped it off yesterday. I'm going to break in my new 22" 308 tomorrow. I hope to have similar results as above. Don't think it will happen, as I will be using ZQI for break-in for the first 30. Then it will be GMM 168's, then on to some hand loads. I will report back.
 
Went and broke in the 308 22". I went well considering the rocky start after try to rezero after the 20" 300 win mag. Not even close zero. Not even in the ball park. 168 GMM gave me a 3 shot half inch group. A couple different two bullets one hole. Promising. Shot a 3/4 inch group with 168 Zmax. Damn zombies! Put a deposit down today on a Carbon 338 Lapua barrel. Hell Ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I contacted via email Barrett today. Asking the weights of the MRAD .338 Lapua Magnum with 24" flutted vs same rifle with 24" Proof Research barrel. They told me with 24" flutted steel barrel was 14.8 pounds and with the carbon barrel it will shed 6 oz. Doesn't sound right but......
 
Went and broke in the 308 22". I went well considering the rocky start after try to rezero after the 20" 300 win mag. Not even close zero. Not even in the ball park. 168 GMM gave me a 3 shot half inch group. A couple different two bullets one hole. Promising. Shot a 3/4 inch group with 168 Zmax. Damn zombies! Put a deposit down today on a Carbon 338 Lapua barrel. Hell Ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been lost in ballistics tables and the JBM calculator putting together not only my reference sheets by DA, but also something I've never had to do in my life before: a conversion table telling me what the changes on the optic will be based on my ballistics and testing, if I go from X to Y caliber and what the new zero on the scope will be.

I've been looking at the CF barrels but just can't pay it. Maybe I should have gotten one for the 308 or 6.5 kits because those 2 barrels will be around the longest. When it comes to 300WM or 338, you either never shoot them during practice or you only use them when you 'need' them; 90% of my shooting is 6.5 and 308 unless I'm shooting at something at 1500 or whatever.

P.S. - Only 5 shot groups count :)
 
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I've been lost in ballistics tables and the JBM calculator putting together not only my reference sheets by DA, but also something I've never had to do in my life before: a conversion table telling me what the changes on the optic will be based on my ballistics and testing, if I go from X to Y caliber and what the new zero on the scope will be.

I've been looking at the CF barrels but just can't pay it. Maybe I should have gotten one for the 308 or 6.5 kits because those 2 barrels will be around the longest. When it comes to 300WM or 338, you either never shoot them during practice or you only use them when you 'need' them; 90% of my shooting is 6.5 and 308 unless I'm shooting at something at 1500 or whatever.

P.S. - Only 5 shot groups count :)

one popped up for $1,750(338 Lapua). I put a deposit on it, it was the last one or I would say where I was getting it from. No way was I going to pay $2,300.00+ for one. I sold the 20" 300 win mag barrel on eBay. That helped subsidize the carbon barrel. Being that it's 338 I'm going to shoot it and not feel bad if it wears out five years down the road? Thats a lot of dollar bills down range. I don't even want to add up the cost of each round w/barrel wear or it would make my head explode! I will getting to the 1 mile with this barrel. First round hit or nothing counts! It's been a goal for two years. I will be shooting 308 primarily, followed by 260 for competition.

On a side note. During break in off the 308, I shot some 168 Amax gold medal match reload replica I've made with GMM brass 42.8 gr of IMR 4064. I shot a 6 shot group with four in one hole and one 1/4" away, one flyer. Wha wha wha!
 
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Got a question for you guys, I've been running my MRAD for a few years now and I am starting to get some stiffness in my bolt handle. I always keep it cleaned and oiled but that being said when I go to rack a round after I engage a target the bolt is very stiff when I go to eject the old round and rack a new one. Have any of you guys heard or have similar issue with your bolt?

Barrett MRAD in MRB (multi-role brown)
Barrel: 6.5 Creedmoor and .308
Nightforce ATARC 5x25 w/ SilencerCo. Radius


 
I received my 308 barrel and breach conversion. Small breach is definitely stiffer, not as smooth cycling and locking. Large breach is way smoother. Both are a little stiff while closing. Must be the 9 locking lugs meshing? I'd disassemble bolt. When I disassembled my large bolt and removed the 300 win mag bolt head, there was a lot of grease in there and i mean an ample amount! You could always call Barrett?
 
I have a small breach, my rifle was one of their newer versions off the line that went away from the large breach. I'll have to take the bolt head & body apart and the firing pin while I'm at it and see whats going on in their. I've been trying to get a hold of Barrett this week but all I have been getting is Don's (tech guy) voice mail.

What kind of lubricant are you using for your bolt....maybe switching that up will help?
 
I have a small breach, my rifle was one of their newer versions off the line that went away from the large breach. I'll have to take the bolt head & body apart and the firing pin while I'm at it and see whats going on in their. I've been trying to get a hold of Barrett this week but all I have been getting is Don's (tech guy) voice mail.

What kind of lubricant are you using for your bolt....maybe switching that up will help?

It's factory grease in mine. Lots of it, clear grease, way too much in my opinion. It's inside where it sealed from the environment. No need to worry about dust and dirt? I might clean off a little and leave it there for now until my 338 bolt head shows up. If you get ahold of Doug, would you ask him about appropriate levels of grease inside to bolt? I'm curious to know if there is a small firing pin for the small breach for small primer 6.5 Lapua brass?
 
Shot the 22" 308 yesterday. Some of my 168 hornady bthp's(GMM reload Dup.) shot into one hole again. My buddy spotting, we took it out to 550y and 800y with a lot of success. The barrel is boring accurate and I hated every minute of it, as did my friend. It was terrible, all those hits! I'm scarred. No smiles were had what so ever. Oh......, the pain.........

Side note, Carbon Fiber 338 Lapua is inbound. Updates will follow.
 
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I have some, but I was planning on using them out of the 300wm barrel. I'm already not getting amazing speeds out of the 178s (2620 if memory serves) so I didn't want to go too much heavier.
 
Maybe the 185 juggernaut is the right bullet? I'd like to find the right bullet. Cost per round/HighBC/ Velocity/ stretch it out there! I've had the 178's Hornady BTHP going 2750 fps with 43.1 gr. of IMR 4064 out of my 24" savage FCP-SR. If I got something around 2700fps out of the 22" MRAD, I'd be happy. I was pushing the 208's @ 2637 fps with 45.5 gn. of RL17 out of the savage. I don't think i'm going to push this barrel as hard. I'd like to pick up a 300 Norma if they were ever available?

What powders are you using Canuck? Just out of curiosity?

I was seeing my 168 Hornady BTHP's going 2730ish fps with 42.78 gr. of IMR 4064 out of the 22" MRAD. They were going closer to 2850' fps out of my savage 24".
 
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Right now, it looks like I'll be using about 43.5 grains of Varget for the 308, I'm looking at h1000 for the 300wm and 338 Lapua.... I've got my velocities at home, but I seem to remember a 5 shot string with the Varget had an ES of 10 with velocities around 2620. I may try pushing them harder. I think I went up to 45.3 grains without any significant signs of pressure, but the initial ladder test didn't show as much potential as I moved away from 43.5.

To give you an idea, this 43.7 group also looked good, it just has a larger ES and SD then the 43.5
3F3siE3.jpg
 
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I was over on the Barrett Forum last couple of days, reading old threads. Some people were stating that in 308 form, they were having trouble igniting some 308 primer/bullets. Anyone have trouble with miss fires? They stated the problem being to much grease in the firing pin mech. area?
 
Carbon 338 Lapua barrel showed up yesterday and does it ever look sweet. I'm talking about some serious girth and not very much weight!!!! I will report back after the break in of the barrel.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of it when you have a few rounds through it.
 
I was over on the Barrett Forum last couple of days, reading old threads. Some people were stating that in 308 form, they were having trouble igniting some 308 primer/bullets. Anyone have trouble with miss fires? They stated the problem being to much grease in the firing pin mech. area?

No problem with the harder Tula 7.62 primers.
 
I'm under the impression 338 burns the throat out of a barrel as quickly as a 300WM does.

eta - just looked, looks like you may be able to get 3k or so from 338; looks like the 300WM is the bigger barrel eater. Never would have thought that, learned something new. Yay.
 
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3000+ is going to cost me as much as the rifle so, I'm not to worried. It's going to take me a while to get to 3000- rounds down range. It's the over bore rounds that burn out barrels. 6.5-284, 28 noshers, etc........
 
I had a back and forth yesterday with someone else who picked up a demo rifle from EuroOptic. He said, he wasn't able to remove the 24" heavy 308 barrel from the receiver to put his 338 carbon barrel in the receiver. Anyone around here have a hard time removing barrels after extended periods of use. He said he contacted Barrett and sent the upper back to them? Anyone also know when (how long ago) Barrett was making 24" heavy 308 barrels?