What caliber and contour to get?

[43.6N]

I was lucky enough to win the Lilja barrel for this years cold bore challenge.

Need help picking a caliber and contour.

Currently have 6.5creed, 6GT, and 223 on tikka actions. The 6.5 barrel is getting long in the tooth, so I have a CTR takeoff en route to replace.

Also have a 6ARC gas gun. Was thinking a lot about having this new barrel become a 6ARC tikka.

Other chambering options?
Also thinking 25 creed/25 saw/257 Roberts AI.

What lilja contour would you go with? Would want to use my OTB OG65, so muzzle diameter and 4” reflex needs to fit.
Rifling pattern and twist rate?

Help your boy out Rokslide

 

[HandgunHTR]

I would do an 8 twist 7mm in whatever contour allows you to get the OTB can on it when it is 18-19” long.

Chamber it in 7SAW or 7-08AI and use it as your “magnum” gun.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I’d get it in 6 ARC or 6x45, 1:7” twist, 16”, and replace your 6.5 Creed barrel with it.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I would use it for my 6.5 Creed and send the ctr barrel to a new home. The fewer unique chamberings the better imo.

 

[43.6N]

I would use it for my 6.5 Creed and send the ctr barrel to a new home. The fewer unique chamberings the better imo.

A 7.5 twist 65 Creedmoor has definitely been on my mind quite a bit.
Would be a nice upgrade since this is the gun I use for NRL.

However in that same vein, I could upsize to 7-08/7saw as mentioned above.

 

[ckt3]

I’ll vote 6 ARC 7 twist. I just got an 18” on a Tikka action and am very happy with it. 1800 fps out to 5-600 yards with 95 or 107 TMK. Much farther than I’ll shoot at game, and with a suppressor, it is real smooth. Watch the impacts on paper at 100 yards, long barrel life, low fatigue for high volume practice. Solid all around rifle for practice and big game.

Not sure on contour. I like my .75 taperless, but something lighter could be cool too. I’m at 9 lbs with a Rokstok, SWFA 3-9, and 5 inch Ti can.

I’m in the inverse boat… now that I have this rifle, I’m wondering what my next AR build should be and 6 ARC is looking pretty nice there. WA has 6 mm hunting minimum, which adds to the appeal.

 

[nm.otter]

Got a rimfire by any chance? Lilja is one of few makers of great .17 tubes, and they will chamber in .17 HM2 (my new favorite training round).

 

[RockAndSage]

You've got a pretty well-rounded set of tools there...the only thought that's standing out with those, is that you could hotrod the 6ARC ammo for the bolt gun, but you'd want to be careful about having that around your 6ARC gas gun, as AR lugs can't handle the same pressures. But it's hard to see much benefit in getting another 6mm, given what you have between the ARC, GT, and the 6.5 CM.

One question that's coming to mind, is what kind of performance or utility could a different cartridge add...what's missing?

The only thing really that might stand out to me that might genuinely complement your current set, would be something with flatter ballistics, like a hot 22 of some kind (like a 22ARC on the small side, a 22 CM in the middle, or even 22-06AI like Form's been talking about for longer distances). On the heavier side of things, about the only other one that would interest me personally and still be really useful might be a 25-06 AI.

All that said, you know you don't "need" anything beyond what you have right now. So...what would be most fun or interesting?

 

[Sponge]

IDK what you should do, but I was day dreaming about rebarrelling my interarms mark x (currently 3006) to 6 creed.

Being you have a bunch of 6's, I vote something in 7mm. 7-08, 7saw, 7x57, etc

 

[43.6N]

You've got a pretty well-rounded set of tools there...the only thought that's standing out with those, is that you could hotrod the 6ARC ammo for the bolt gun, but you'd want to be careful about having that around your 6ARC gas gun, as AR lugs can't handle the same pressures. But it's hard to see much benefit in getting another 6mm, given what you have between the ARC, GT, and the 6.5 CM.

One question that's coming to mind, is what kind of performance or utility could a different cartridge add...what's missing?

The only thing really that might stand out to me that might genuinely complement your current set, would be something with flatter ballistics, like a hot 22 of some kind (like a 22ARC on the small side, a 22 CM in the middle, or even 22-06AI like Form's been talking about for longer distances). On the heavier side of things, about the only other one that would interest me personally and still be really useful might be a 25-06 AI.

All that said, you know you don't "need" anything beyond what you have right now. So...what would be most fun or interesting?

Per usual, your thoughts are insightful, and lead people to think and reflect.

One question that's coming to mind, is what kind of performance or utility could a different cartridge add...what's missing?

This will be my first Lilja. But they have an excellent pedigree and reputation. I’m fairly confident that this barrel will be at least as good as anything else I have, if not better.
So which gun benefits most from a super premium barrel? Probably the NRL gun.
And it fills my current need since my 6.5 is pretty well eroded.

Lol, all that to say I’m leaning towards the “boring” choice of a fast twist 6.5creed.

 

[RockAndSage]

This will be my first Lilja. But they have an excellent pedigree and reputation.

It's a super cool thing to win. It makes sense to put it on what you need it the most on, and if you've already burned out a 6.5 barrel, that says a lot.

 

[43.6N]

Appreciate you all weighing in.
Gonna go with the following:
264, 1/7.5, 3groove.
No 4 Lilja contour.
Will target around 20”. But in reality, I’ll just slide a set of calipers down the barrel until it hits 0.75” and use that datum for the suppressor shoulder.

Should be light enough to hunt with, but long enough to make NRL power factor.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I think you want more grooves. Pretty sure the lower Groove barrels show pressure earlier and spin apart bullets more readily. 15 years ago they were all the rage, but I think the opinion on them has changed quite a bit.

 

[43.6N]

I think you want more grooves. Pretty sure the lower Groove barrels show pressure earlier and spin apart bullets more readily. 15 years ago they were all the rage, but I think the opinion on them has changed quite a bit.

I appreciate the heads up. Carson Lilja is who they put me in contact with.
I’ll ask him what he recommends. As long as it can handle 150-156gr bullets I’ll be happy