Bartlein Barrel - 6mm, B#8 Light Varmint

Discover the influence of barrel contours, rifling, and fluting on your shooting performance with Bartlein Barrel's 6mm B#8 Light Varmint. Explore why our single-point cut rifling and 5-groove rifling are favored by precision shooters for superior quality and performance.

Barrel Contours and Their Impact

Do barrel contours affect barrel weight and shooting performance? Yes, they do. A heavier contour offers advantages, especially in resisting movement caused by heat and recoil. At Bartlein Barrels, we exclusively employ single-point cut rifling, eliminating stress in the barrel blank. This makes the contour choice less critical compared to button-made barrels.

While a heavier gun typically shoots better due to improved stability and reduced shooter fatigue, we've observed lighter weight contours performing exceptionally well. This suggests that contour choice may not be as critical as some believe.

Suppressors and Barrel Contours

Should suppressors be put on any barrel contour? No, it's not recommended. Suppressors can positively affect shooting performance on heavier barrels, as they influence harmonic vibrations. For optimal results, avoid mounting suppressors on anything smaller than a medium palma contour.

Advantages of Single-Point Cut Rifling

Bartlein Barrels' preference for single-point cut rifling over button rifling is rooted in the superior quality it offers. Button rifling induces greater stress into the barrel blank, especially with lighter weight contours. Single-point cut rifling eliminates this issue, ensuring consistent performance.

Threaded muzzles for muzzle brakes or suppressor attachments can lead to bore opening problems in button-rifled barrels. Single-point cut rifling prevents this issue, critical for maintaining accuracy.

Significance of Barrel Fluting

Barrel fluting offers several advantages:

• Weight Reduction: Fluting reduces barrel weight without altering the contour.
• Enhanced Cooling: Increased surface area from fluting improves heat dissipation.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Fluting adds a unique visual appeal that many shooters appreciate.

Fluting Depth and Barrel Stiffness

Fluting depth should be balanced, as excessive fluting can lead to harmonic and vibration issues, impacting accuracy. If you can't add fluting to your selected barrel, it's likely because the contour is too shallow. Achieving the right balance is crucial for optimal performance.

Choosing the Right Rifling

Bartlein Barrels offers three rifling types: 4-groove, 5R, and Conventional-5. The style or number of grooves has no significant impact on accuracy or barrel life, as confirmed by feedback from ammunition and bullet manufacturers using test barrels.

5R rifling offers unique benefits, reducing bullet failure due to its gentler angle on the lands. This style also deforms the bullet less during bullet jump, enhancing stability. While exceptions exist for specific bullet types, the advantages of 5R rifling are widely recognized by ammunition and bullet makers.

Experience the impact of barrel contours, rifling, and fluting on your shooting performance with Bartlein Barrel's 6mm B#8 Light Varmint. Elevate your shooting experience with precision craftsmanship and top-quality barrels.