SmallCaliberCentral

Again, in my experience, the 1:10 is fine up to 50gr. My next barrel will be 1:11 shooting everything up to 45gr. The 55gr is the only bullet available so far that needs 1:9, so I don't understand buying a barrel designed for just one bullet. I don't believe 1:9 would be nearly as efficient with the middle weight bullets as 1:11 is. I say that because I think chrono data indicates my 1:10 is much less efficient (velocity) than a 1:12, and 1:11 are. Wish someone with a 1:11 would try the 50gr and report back here.

i guess that rules out Shilen... from Midway and Brownells they only sell a 1:9

BTW, any word on these Sabre defense barrels? Looks like I am between that and Lilja

I have been waiting now 6 weeks for a 1:10 direct from Shilen.
Hope to see it any day as they said 6-8 weeks when I ordered.

how much were they direct from shilen? They are $372 w/bolt @ Brownells

I supplied my own bolt and I believe it was $375.00.
I had one of the Shilen barrels on order with Midway for 2 months and then they went on backorder again for another 2 months.
Shilen said they were having problems getting bolts so I sent them mine.
That's when I found out I could get a 1:10 direct.

well I am tempted to try a Sabre defense barrel but think they may be less than stellar

I did just sell an accuracy systems and it was amazing.

I guess I would like a no bullshit answer... would the Shilen 1:9 twist handle the 32-40gr well or should I stick with the 1:12 I have used before

MT204 wrote:I called Shilen this morning just to double check if they could do a 1:12 twist 26" barrel, which I'm 99% sure would shot 40 grainers, but no luck.
So I guess we will wait for the 1:10 twist 24" and hope it will work.

Which part did Shilen say was a no-go: the twist or the length of the barrel? I've talked to Shilen a couple of times on the phone and the 1:12 was an option for me, so I assume it must be the 26" barrel that they turned down?

nad1967 wrote:i guess that rules out Shilen... from Midway and Brownells they only sell a 1:9

When I talked to Shilen, they said not to expect barrel/bolt combos any time soon. Bolts are on back-order and the Shilen rep told me that she didn't have any idea when to expect shipments to resume.

If you already have a bolt, you can send it to Shilen and they'll get to work on a barrel right away. Price will run about a hundred bucks more than the price you've seen at Midway, but you can pick from three twist rates and have them cut the chamber for a dummy round if you'd like.

When I talked to Shilen they said they do not make a 26" ar barrel.
My concern at the time was the fact that some 1:12 guns do not shoot 40 grain.
I think that the extra 2" (26" barrel vs 24") may be why some do and some do not.
Shilen told me $75.00 less if I supplied my own bolt.

they are $375 w/bolt @ brownells... instock

nad1967 wrote:they are $375 w/bolt @ brownells... instock

Midway has them in stock also...but only 1:9 twist.

Can anyone speak to the 1:9 barrel twist w/32-40gr bullets