Hi guys,
I would appreciare some advice please. I am in the process of selecting a new barrel for my BR-50 and have come across the expression "ratchet barrel" in other forums.
Can someone please take a moment and explain to this poor 'ol fella - what a ratchet barrel is or does and if different - why is it so - in other words are there any advantages etc.
Equally - any recommendations would be appreciated
Many thanks
" ratchet " is the style of rifleing cut in the barrel. It is an offset and stepped type cut of the lands ,sort of an " on off on off" cut hence ratchet. Go to Shilen.com and click products,then rifle barrels,then calibers and twists and click the first ratchet barrel you see for a picture of the cut.I don`t know if it comes in rimfire barrels--they will help you. Good luck Hotdog.
I have two of these 'ratshit' rifling types - a light and a heavy. They both shot OK, especially the HV which put down a .176 group at 200 yards at it's first match. They clean up OK. If you can get one try it.
BA
Hi Brendan,
Thanks for the advice - it's appreciated
Unlike yourself - I can't afford the time and effort to experiement with barrels but have fired off an-email to Shilen (thanks Hotdog) asking some questions which will help me to decide.
I think (at this stage) it will be either a Shilen (normal goove) or a Benchmark 2 groove barrel.
Thanks again guys.
Cheers.
Cary.
Hi Cary
The ratchet barrel is cut one groove at a time and only about a tenth of thou at a time. Big difference to a button
barrel.
Advantages, ratchet barrel's can be cut to any groove you like . EG 1 in 13.5 twist etc.
Hope this helps
Greg
He who share's win's
Hi Cary
I have had my .22LB Shilen Ratchet barrel for over a year now in my heavy benchrest rifle. It is the best barrel I have ever shot with. They undoubtedly "Buck" the wind better than anything else and are easier to clean because of the shape of the Ratchet cut lands. I have shot some great scores over the year including seven 600's with 60centres at 50m. Shilen make excellent barrels but like everything American are hard to get right now because of the massive amount of paperwork involved with exporting Firearms and firearms parts out of the States. John Cook supplied my barrel and fitted it for me.
I have no hesitation saying they are excellent barrels but like any barrel they must be fitted and trued to the action if you want top performance. Go get one mate.
Cheers
Knighty
Team KAOS
Calm and Relentless
Thanks very much Bill. I get lucky every now and again. I hope next year will be great for all of us
Regards
Geoff
Team KAOS
Calm and Relentless
Shilen's ratchet barrel is a button barrel. Shilen makes only
button barrels. They also make polygonal rimfire barrels.
Butch