Columbia River Arms barrels

[Bigfoot]

I was perusing the subject of barrels and found some had questions about the barrels formerly called Black Hole Weaponry. I have several of these, 5.56, 6.8, 308, 338, federal, and 6.5 creedmoor on AR platforms. The 5.56 is 20 inch, 6.8 is 22, 308 and 338 are 24 inch and the 6.5 is 26 inch. I also have a 25-06 and a 338-06 on savage 110cl receivers. Both have 26 in barrels. Not one of these barrels has been a disappointment, they all shoot ragged edge holes but there is another bonus, the polygonal rifling yields 200 to 400 FPS higher velocities and lower pressures due to less friction. My 338-06 is pushing 200 gr accubonds at 2920 and 250 gr at 2730 so far and that is not showing any pressure signs so I will be increasing the load when I have time. These barrels have become well known and very popular so the downside is you have a little wait time, I just ordered another one in 280 remington express and I am looking at least 3 months but I am sure it will be worth it. Someone stated that their shilen cleaned easier and the bore looked shinier, I don't build these to clean them or stare at the bore I shoot the heck out of them I find they shoot great the more rounds the better without cleaning, I only clean them when I put them away for the season. I won't buy any other barrel, 100% satisfaction is hard to beat.

[JW]

My shooting buddy has a 223 heavy barrel on an ar that is certainly an shooter.
It sounds like they are good barrels indeed.
Jack

[mikeinco]

if you only clean once a season, ,then i do not think bbl quality is an issue.

[Robinhood]

if you only clean once a season, ,then i do not think bbl quality is an issue.


If you shoot a lot for accuracy and or competition, I find that regular cleaning is prudent. I also let the barrel tell me when to clean. A regular patch is good. Regular copper scrub might be overboard.

[Bigfoot]

I agree with letting the barrel tell you when to clean, I don't shoot that much anymore, enough to settle in a new load is the most I do otherwise it is check the scope, shoot the deer, run a patch and put away. The most I have shot is the 338-06 that I finished this summer, I found a good load for 200, 225, and 250 gr bullets and then for some reason (dementia perhaps) I switched to magnum primers. I was able to get 2970 fps with 200 gr accubonds without over pressuring. My next build is going to be a 280 remington with a 24 inch barrel, already picked up a 110 cl in 30-06 with a rusty barrel and a nice stock, the receiver had very minor blemishes that have been addressed so as soon as the barrel is ready it will be play time.