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I want to order one of these for prairie dog and target shooting? I wanted a 1:8 twist in a 18 or 20" version? Also thought of a 1:7 twist rate? Any suggestions which is more ideal for twist and length for this type of shooting?
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I'm not interested in stuff that heavy, but WOA is now making their Competition Uppers (which can be nearly identical to the Varmint version & take an optic) with Shilen 5R Ratchet rifled barrels, which IMO, is an upgrade to their standard Wilson blanks.........for a little more money.
I talked to them recently to try to get them to contour one of those blanks for me into an 18" SPR configuration, but they said they were only going to use those blanks on the Competition uppers for now so they would not do it.
As for length & twist on the varmint rifle, if it was me, I'd go with the 1-8" twist, 20" barrel............actually, I'd go slower on the twist if it was available for the reason that I'd only be shooting lighter bullets for varmints, if that's all the gun is intended for.
But you do get more versatility for heavier bullets with a 1-8" for hunting bigger stuff too. You will be good to 77-(maybe)80 grain bullets with the 1-8".
JMHO
MM
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Campfire Tracker
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MontanaMan, the Rainier SPR Ultrmatch we were discussing the other day is the same Shilen blank with 5R ratchet I do believe.
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MM, I will take a look at the Shilen 5r Upper. Thanks for the info on it.
I see they offer it in 1:7 twist rate for the competition, I wish I could get that model with the Varmint Handguards. Guess I could call and ask them?
Last edited by Esox357; 01/26/17.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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MontanaMan, the Rainier SPR Ultrmatch we were discussing the other day is the same Shilen blank with 5R ratchet I do believe. Yes, it is...........how much did you steal it for? You seem to be pretty good at finding those steals...........seems like I remember you picking up a new Leupold MK6 (or was it a MK8) for a go-to-hell price not too long ago. MM
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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I'm not interested in stuff that heavy, but WOA is now making their Competition Uppers (which can be nearly identical to the Varmint version & take an optic) with Shilen 5R Ratchet rifled barrels, which IMO, is an upgrade to their standard Wilson blanks.........for a little more money.
I talked to them recently to try to get them to contour one of those blanks for me into an 18" SPR configuration, but they said they were only going to use those blanks on the Competition uppers for now so they would not do it.
As for length & twist on the varmint rifle, if it was me, I'd go with the 1-8" twist, 20" barrel............actually, I'd go slower on the twist if it was available for the reason that I'd only be shooting lighter bullets for varmints, if that's all the gun is intended for.
But you do get more versatility for heavier bullets with a 1-8" for hunting bigger stuff too. You will be good to 77-(maybe)80 grain bullets with the 1-8".
JMHO
MM Maybe an 80 with an 8 twist 20 inch? My buddy runs 9s on purpose with 80 bergers and has never had an issue...Although I lean the other way. I"ve never seen a true 8 that would not stabilize an 80. Maybe a 16 inch possibly. The 8 is an awful versatile twist. I"m with you though, if all I was shooting was light, I'd have no problem slower, though I have no reason why I'd want to limit myself to light bullets.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I'd suggest the 20" sdm barrel. I assembled the upper myself, easy enough. The fluting makes the barrel balance perfectly and I prefer the 20" tube to reduce muzzle blast. I think I went with the 1-8 twist, it's been a few years and I'd have to check the barrel to confirm.
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Nice! I'm thinking of running 69 SMK for the AR. Not sure if the 80's will fit the magazine? Maybe run a 75 grain Amax or similar for all around varmint shooting, still thinking but really want to start with the 69 SMK.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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The Hornady 75 gr hpbt is more amenable to AR mag constraints. You might also want to consider the 55 gr v-max for the smaller varmints. Something to be said for speed and soft bullets
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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The 69 SMK (& 77 SMK) will fit the mag.
The 80 SMK or Berger & the 75 A-Max will not w/o some of the ogive being into the neck.
Those can be loaded singly if seated long.
Berger also makes a 77 OTM Tactical bullet with a different ogive that will fit the mag & not be seated into the ogive, FWIW.
MM
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80's are single feed only. 75gr. A-Max will have the ogive inside the case neck if you want them in the magazine. The new 73gr. ELD Match bullets are supposedly good for mag length. I just got some but haven't had a chance to load any yet.
Let's Go Brandon! FJB
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MM, the Rainier barrel cost me $225 in the wrapper so a pretty good deal. The Mk6 3-18was $1350 NIB so better score there.
Both items live together on the same rifle now and I'm beyond happy with them both.
77 OTM's shoot well in it but the 69 steals the show for all around. 55 vmax didn't suck either
Last edited by MallardAddict; 01/26/17.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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You should have a guilty conscience when you go to bed tonight, stealing stuff at those prices.
I'd probably go ahead & use the Ranier Shilen barrel on my gun but they don't make it fluted & WOA's (Wilson)fluted version is about 7 oz. lighter.
Just haven't decided or bought a barrel yet, probably just go the WOA route.
MM
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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The new 73gr. ELD Match bullets are supposedly good for mag length. I just got some but haven't had a chance to load any yet. I don't have any of those yet, but I believe the ogive is the same as the 75 BTHP which are fine for mag length & have shot very well for me. Probably won't get any of the new ones for a while as I have about 3K of the others & the Bergers on hand now. I think Wareagle 700 is doing some testing on the new tipped Hornady's now. When he get through, maybe he'll let us know how they work for him. MM
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Hoping the 1:8 will do the 69 grain SMK or even a 55/60 V MAX. I don't want a single shot AR for my use. I think I will be able to get the 69's to shoot out of a WOA barrel? I will have to see if my hypothesis is right?
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Campfire Ranger
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1:8 should be plenty for all of those. I think you could get away with 1:12 with the 55 v-max.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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69s generally stabilize out of a 10 twist, at least the non tipped ones did. 9 for dang sure.
55vmax should go 12, not sure about 14, that might be slightly iffy.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Thanks, I want to have a little versatility in case the rifle is finicky so between 60 to 77 should get me something with decent accuracy, even though a little "big" for poodle shooting.
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I prefer something like the 55 Vmax for maximum aerials on pasture poodles and prefer the improved ass of the 69 and 75 bthp's for coyotes and the like. That said the 55's are no slouch on coyotes and the 69 and 75's fling parts just fine on prairie dogs and ground squirrels.
Any of them will work great assuming proper insertion.
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Getting anxious for spring to roll around to get make some farmers happy!
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