Poly rifling

[spitballer]

I took advantage of a recent barrel change to try poly rifling for my .223 bolt action rifle, and I thought I might check with others for any advice before firing it up. Anyone else ever use this kind of rifling? Anything I should know about it?

Thanks in advance for any constructive advice, comments.

 

[Woodworker74]

I have poly rifling in my 18" AR barrel. Supposedly cleaning is easier, and it does seem easier to run a patch through. The manufacturer (BHW) recommend a 5 shot and clean regimen for 50 to 100 rounds to break in. Other than that, I don't think there's much to tell. Supposedly more accurate, though I haven't seen that (probably the shooter, not the barrel). I'd be curious to hear if you do notice an accuracy difference over the standard barrel.

 

[ironworkerwill]

Some sources say to NOT shoot cast bullets.

 

[GLShooter]

Just clean it and shoot it. The barrels from BHW will drive you crazy if you like mining copper. They just don't have that issue. You will find that velocites are higher with lower pressure. Accuracy is consistently extremely good. Feed it well done handloads and you will need a thicker wallet for the bragging groups.

Greg

 

[spitballer]

Thanks, guys. I'm inclined to go with a cleaning regimen like Woodworker suggested for the break in period. Makes sense - cleaning the copper to make sure the entire bore surface area gets contacted uniformly during break in (something I didn't think about with my first barrel).

Hadn't thought about cast bullets but eventually I'll want to do some swaging. Thanks again.

Tommy

 

[chris in va]

You won't be shooting lead at normal 223 velocities anyway, even with a gas check. The highest you can push them is around 2000 which wouldn't cycle the action, and runs the risk of leading the gas system. People do it anyway but still requires you to rack the bolt every time.

Wish those swaging dies that make tips out of 22lr cases weren't so darn expensive. I'd do that in a heartbeat. Our RO makes them and its quite an impressive process.

 

[GLShooter]

You can shoot lead in them buy they will need scrupulous cleaning afterwards. Not my idea of a good idea but to each his own. On a 458SOCOM and a 450 Bushmaster it would be more viable IMHO but no way in the small bores.

Greg

 

[spitballer]

Maintaining proper cycling gets a bit complicated, but I'm sure those problems can be solved, too. I'm strictly a bolt man these days, and having a worn out barrel has challenged me to get the most out of that barrel. It still surprises me though, shot 1/2 moa this morning over a narrow temperature range, but it's happening less and less often. I decided to stick with one bullet early on, a 55 grain boat-tail that can pull double-duty at the 565 yd range once a month or so.

I got my tightest group this morning at 100 yds with 24.9 grains of IMR 3031 and felt like I could have even done better with a bit less, maybe 24.85 or 24.8.

This would be with the nosler spritzer, they've got those thick bases and seem to like a heavier charge. This sound familiar to anyone?