Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 3 groove or more grooves best in a 264 win mag rebarrel?

Four of us built five 257 Weatherby chambered rifles using Lilja 3 groove rifles. All shot the 115 VLD. To date we have a combined count of 22 animals. ( coues wt, elk, antelope and javelina)

I shot the heck out of my 257. At round count 555 it began to tear up the 115 Berger VLD. My solution was to shoot the 110 gr accubond which has held together and is still shooting at round count 802. The borescope shows horrific bore wear with cracks and fissures up the barrel for over a foot. It fouls more these days but still shoots excellently.

Had a Lilja 1 in 7 twist 3 groove chambered in 7 Rem mag which shot the 180 berger VLDs till round count 236 when the combination of fast twist and the worn 3 groove began throwing the 180 VLD. It was suggested I switch to the 180 target which also came apart in another 50 rounds. Finally gave up and switched to Accubonds.

Friend used same twist with a 3 groove lilja to make a 7 STW. It quit shooting the VLDs right around round count 200.


If you stay away from the thin jacketed bullets like the Berger VLDs the 3 groove should work fine till it is shot out.

Tell me you mounted that POS!

Laughing!

What was the stock again and why all the empties?

You sure get after it.

Laughing!...............

Pathetic, narcissistic and a fraud.. The triple crown.

It's a Rat,Dink,Cub.

PLEASE tell me I'm "wrong".

Laughing!................

wow. you sure learned a 'lot' from a sample of one and 200 rounds.

Over the years I have had six of the 3 groove barrels and only one remains. IMO there is no upside to a 3 groove but there is potential downside.

I use 4 and 6 groove barrel's on my benchrest guns and 5 and 6 groove barrels on my varmint and hunting rifles, I will never buy another 3.

Don't know anyone,who would buy anything but a 3...but we shoot a smidge.

Hint..............

Is that Rat even legal?.................

I have several friends and acquaintances that have used Lilja 3 groove barrels. All of them have had issues at low round counts with Berger bullets. Why subject yourself to this when you can get a 4,5 or 6 groove and never have to worry. I agree that there is not really much of an up side to 3-groove barrels and lots of down side.

I have a 300 WBY with a 12 groove barrel. It lasted 3000 rounds before I pulled it off. Was still shooting about MOA @ 200 when I pulled it.

I wouldn't use a 3 groove unless it was for cast bullets myself.

If you go by the Campfire thinking of Google/Adblocker plus - why in the hell should I have to go to a 6 grove barrel just so I can shoot Bergers? It's the only bullet I have this issue with. Berger needs to change!

You'll have to pardon my being afforded the luxury,of not being forced to guess.

Pretty sure a very steeped individual,already cast Berger lamentations,for reasons having nothing to do with land numbering.

Hint.................

They are easy to pass upon,for numerous reasons................

it is very easy for me to get past the Berger nuke problem. I don't shoot Bergers, even at paper or vermin.

but if Bergers puke outta 3 groove bbls, is it really the barrel's fault or the bullets?

but I suppose if someone is stumped by a free download, your mileage will differ from mine.

Pretty much the point I was making.

Too many bullets slap Bergers silly and from all angles...no matter the number of lands..............

gotcha. I just can't read sarcasm over the web. you are pretty good at it though LOL

I have their reloading manual - bout it.

Not gunned a Berger though during the last "panic" they were the one 6mm bullet easily found on shelves in my zip code.

I snagged Amax's at the time instead.

Ain't run a skinner yet but I'm intrigued by them.

Skinners is the most rugged of the VLD's.

Phuqqers are WICKED..................

Any specific weight/caliber a guy should shy away from?

Other than any/all Bergers?...................