5c,5r, ratchet rifling for ppc?

goodgrouper

tryingtobeabettergrouper
Anyone out there ever chambered a 6ppc in this type of rifling before and used it in competition? How did it shoot compared to regular riflings with similar components?

I've got one 5r in .338 and I can't tell any difference in accuracy with it, but I'm not trying for teen aggs with that gun though! Wondering if the ppc can distinguish any difference......
 
One of the barrel mfg. put some test barrels in several shooters' hands, with 5R cut rifling. The conclusion (overall, not just mine) was that although this style works very well for long bullet applications, that it was not as good as conventional rifling for the PPC. My guess as to thre reason, is that it seems to have a lower bullet engraving force, and that this is counterproductive when shooting the most common powder, 133. Recently, I have played with other powders, and it shows more promise. I have one of the first ratchet barrels, that I have shot to the point that it is starting to show wear. It shot well, and cleans well. It always felt smooth when running patches through. Looking at match results, if would be hard to make a case that it was better than a conventionally rifled barrel for a 6PPC. Back when this style was first introduced, there was some thought that it might have a slight wind drift advantage at 200, due to the difference in the pattern engraved on the bullet, and the difference in air flow.
 
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How did it clean up? Did you find it copper fouled more readily?

Well, it was hard to say Francis because the barrel was from a batch of steel that Rock Creek claimed was not "up to spec" right from the start. Also, I shoot the big 300 grain SMK's through it mostly and they have a bearing surface longer than the overall lengths of most bullets! Lotsa material to leave behind.

One thing I can say for sure is that these riflings are easier on the bullets. I shot some Lapua Scenars @ 1000 yards through some phonebooks once and found those little depleted uranium bullets on the berm behind the phonebooks nearly 100% intact and almost reloadable! Upon inspection, I could plainly see that there were no "grooves" in the bullets, but more like a "flat side" where the rifling made contact. I would guess that would have to help b.c. but the drops for every bullet I've shot through that gun have been very close to manufacturer's published b.c's so who knows.
 
goodgrouper I bought a 5c from brouton tim north it was one of the best barrels i have ever owned kenny
 
One of the barrel mfg. put some test barrels in several shooters' hands, with 5R cut rifling. The conclusion (overall, not just mine) was that although this style works very well for long bullet applications, that it was not as good as conventional rifling for the PPC. My guess as to thre reason, is that it seems to have a lower bullet engraving force, and that this is counterproductive when shooting the most common powder, 133. Recently, I have played with other powders, and it shows more promise. I have one of the first ratchet barrels, that I have shot to the point that it is starting to show wear. It shot well, and cleans well. It always felt smooth when running patches through. Looking at match results, if would be hard to make a case that it was better than a conventionally rifled barrel for a 6PPC. Back when this style was first introduced, there was some thought that it might have a slight wind drift advantage at 200, due to the difference in the pattern engraved on the bullet, and the difference in air flow.

Thanks Boyd. That's kinda the scuttlebug I heard.
 
goodgrouper yes it was a 6ppc.I had hasecuster put it on and Fred said it was one of the straitist barrels he has seen.Kenny
 
A good barrel can be a 3,4,5,6,7, or 8 groove. When you get a good one you will know it being a ratchet, c,r,x,y, or z rifling.
 
Amen Butch, and you wanna cry when you finally admit to yourself that your GOOD barrel is over the hill and needs to be put down like an old dog. Then the search is on for another one.

Joe
 
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