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I’d like to keep this post thread as a log of THIS barrel and test. I like to see the data posted here from others. If anyone would like to post similar tests, let's keep them in separate threads so things don’t get too confusing. I’ll do the same if I post results from other barrels.
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There is no consensus between experts on how much cleaning of precision rifle barrels is required. All else being equal, I’d rather spend less time cleaning than more. Additionally, once I clean a barrel I want to shoot it prior to taking it hunting or to a match so the point of impact and velocity re-stabilize. I’ve experimented with not cleaning myself in the past with mostly positive results (a Seekins 6 Creedmoor was the outlier, it will be getting dug into further), but I haven’t controlled variables well enough in the past to have a high degree of confidence in what I see.
This test is the result of my wanting to have good documentation of the life of a barrel IF no cleaning is done. I’m doing the test on my latest 6 Dasher match barrel (PRS style build) for the following reasons:
This test is an N of 1 and isn’t meant to PROVE anything, only see what happens to this barrel as I use it. I do this as a hobby (like almost everyone else), and am only willing to spend so much time, money, and effort to explore this rabbit hole. I didn't start the test necessarily to share publicly, but recently decided I would.
Additionally, this is my match rifle and I want it to perform to a certain level. If it falls too far below that level, I will change something (probably starting with reassembly, followed by cleaning the barrel, followed by changing some components or lots of components, followed by changing the barrel).
The rifle is built as follows:
I have no added weights on this rifle, so it’s ~ 18 lbs bare or ~19.5 lbs with a bipod. It is easy to shoot the rifle when prone with no time limits.
For this test I will be using the following components:
I’ll be using a load I know to be conservative from prior experience:
109 Hybrid starting .030” off the lands (with no plans to chase the lands as the barrel wears)
30.0 Varget (weighed on a AnD FX 120i)
I lubed, mandreled, tumbled, and chamfered the mouths of the brass before I started, so that the subsequent loadings will be in as similar a condition as possible to the first loading.
Almost immediately, a wrench was thrown into my plans of shooting the exact same load the entire time. The combination of my brass and the chamber left me with .007” of excess headspace, which typically isn’t ideal for precision, and definitely isn’t ideal for long term brass life. After the first 20 rds (which didn’t overly impress from a precision standpoint), I decided to jam the bullets for the rest of the initial firing of the 500 pieces. In the past, I have fire formed 800 pieces of Lapua 6BR into Dasher with only a jammed bullet managing headspace, so I was comfortable that it would provide sufficient control in this situation. I crossed my fingers I wouldn’t have issues with jamming + 500 rds of fouling causing issues, and I didn’t.
When I switched to the second loading on the brass at 501 rds, I returned to jumping .030” and shot back to back 20 rd groups at the change over point. The precision increased ever so slightly (but well within what I would expect for margin of error) and the average velocity dropped 18 fps.
Between 640 & 641 rds the zero clearly shifted. I can’t say why. It wouldn’t make any sense that it was the barrel condition, and it didn’t walk there, it MOVED. I will say the chassis hasn’t been bedded and TL3’s are notoriously loose in MPA’s. I will at least pull everything apart and tighten it, and I might bed it while I’m doing so. What I do, and the results, will be documented.
This barrel (& the bullets, which are a team) is shooting OKAY for what it is but isn’t setting the world on fire. I would say they’re a little below average vs what I typically see, but still good enough to be competitive to win regional matches.
See below and attached for the raw data. I’ll post updates as they are ready.
I’d like to keep this post thread as a log of THIS barrel and test. I like to see the data posted here from others. If anyone would like to post similar tests, let's keep them in separate threads so things don’t get too confusing. I’ll do the same if I post results from other barrels.
**********************
There is no consensus between experts on how much cleaning of precision rifle barrels is required. All else being equal, I’d rather spend less time cleaning than more. Additionally, once I clean a barrel I want to shoot it prior to taking it hunting or to a match so the point of impact and velocity re-stabilize. I’ve experimented with not cleaning myself in the past with mostly positive results (a Seekins 6 Creedmoor was the outlier, it will be getting dug into further), but I haven’t controlled variables well enough in the past to have a high degree of confidence in what I see.
This test is the result of my wanting to have good documentation of the life of a barrel IF no cleaning is done. I’m doing the test on my latest 6 Dasher match barrel (PRS style build) for the following reasons:
- I have shot enough 6 Dasher barrels (this is #9) to be able to guess a load from the jump
- I know how they should shoot, and I know they should shoot well enough that there won’t be too much noise for some signal to show
- I will put 2000 or so rounds through in roughly a year just shooting matches
- I won’t be tempted to shoot different loads through it for cheap practice or experiments
- I shoot Dasher consistently with these components so the results will be directly applicable to me
This test is an N of 1 and isn’t meant to PROVE anything, only see what happens to this barrel as I use it. I do this as a hobby (like almost everyone else), and am only willing to spend so much time, money, and effort to explore this rabbit hole. I didn't start the test necessarily to share publicly, but recently decided I would.
Additionally, this is my match rifle and I want it to perform to a certain level. If it falls too far below that level, I will change something (probably starting with reassembly, followed by cleaning the barrel, followed by changing some components or lots of components, followed by changing the barrel).
The rifle is built as follows:
- Bighorn TL3 SA
- MPA ESR Chassis (unbedded)
- Proof Heavy Varmint 1-7.5 Steel Barrel @ 26", chambered by Fischer T&C with an Alpha 6 Dasher reamer
- TT Diamond @ 12 oz
- NF ATACR 7-35 F1 w/ Mil-C
- NF Ultralight Rings
- MKM Level
- My freshest APA Little Bastard Gen 3 brake
I have no added weights on this rifle, so it’s ~ 18 lbs bare or ~19.5 lbs with a bipod. It is easy to shoot the rifle when prone with no time limits.
For this test I will be using the following components:
- Qty (500) Alpha 6 Dasher brass - New
- Qty (2000) Berger 109 LRHT - (these are two different lots of 1000, back to back groups will be shot when I switch lots)
- Qty (10 lbs) Varget - I made a “custom” lot that will only be used for this test
- Qty (2000) CCI 400 primers
I’ll be using a load I know to be conservative from prior experience:
109 Hybrid starting .030” off the lands (with no plans to chase the lands as the barrel wears)
30.0 Varget (weighed on a AnD FX 120i)
I lubed, mandreled, tumbled, and chamfered the mouths of the brass before I started, so that the subsequent loadings will be in as similar a condition as possible to the first loading.
Almost immediately, a wrench was thrown into my plans of shooting the exact same load the entire time. The combination of my brass and the chamber left me with .007” of excess headspace, which typically isn’t ideal for precision, and definitely isn’t ideal for long term brass life. After the first 20 rds (which didn’t overly impress from a precision standpoint), I decided to jam the bullets for the rest of the initial firing of the 500 pieces. In the past, I have fire formed 800 pieces of Lapua 6BR into Dasher with only a jammed bullet managing headspace, so I was comfortable that it would provide sufficient control in this situation. I crossed my fingers I wouldn’t have issues with jamming + 500 rds of fouling causing issues, and I didn’t.
When I switched to the second loading on the brass at 501 rds, I returned to jumping .030” and shot back to back 20 rd groups at the change over point. The precision increased ever so slightly (but well within what I would expect for margin of error) and the average velocity dropped 18 fps.
Between 640 & 641 rds the zero clearly shifted. I can’t say why. It wouldn’t make any sense that it was the barrel condition, and it didn’t walk there, it MOVED. I will say the chassis hasn’t been bedded and TL3’s are notoriously loose in MPA’s. I will at least pull everything apart and tighten it, and I might bed it while I’m doing so. What I do, and the results, will be documented.
This barrel (& the bullets, which are a team) is shooting OKAY for what it is but isn’t setting the world on fire. I would say they’re a little below average vs what I typically see, but still good enough to be competitive to win regional matches.
See below and attached for the raw data. I’ll post updates as they are ready.
