Aftermarket Barrels: Weight Classification?

[lazedout]

I have been looking into adding a USGI bolt and barrel to my Norinco M14, but am having a hard time deciding on what type of barrel to throw on. I am near new to barrel information so tread on me lightly

I know barrels cannot be shipped across the border, but I am using Fulton Armory ( http://www.fulton-armory.com/) as my source for barrels hypothetically.


- Fulton Standard Weight, GI Contour, 1x12 Twist, NM Quality- $275

- Fulton Standard Weight, 1x12 Twist, 18.5" "Bush Barrel", NM Quality - $275

- Fulton NM Stainless Steel 1x10 Twist Medium Weight - $250

- Krieger Medium Weight, 1x12 Twist Stainless Steel (DMR) - $450

- Krieger Hvy. Wt N.M. - $450


Now, what is the difference between NM quality and just NM.

From what I have read, heavier barrels are better for longer range accuracy and standard weight barrels are meant for CQB encountered type events. Is this true? Anything else important to know about weight classification?

Now, if I were to be able to find the Fulton Standard Weight "Bush Barrel" in 18.5", is it worth the purchase over the Norinco barrel? I want something that I can plink with, hunt with and use as a SHTF weapon at long ranges also. Basically a jack of all trades firearm.


I hope this thread helps not only me, but people who are becoming more interested in taking your Norinco one step further.

Thanks again

 

[M14Doctor]

first you must shoot your rifle as it comes, and see how it performs.
Adams Lake Rifle Barrels is a dealer here and has sourced M14 Krieger barrels in the past.
If you are going to have an all around rifle, do the simple tweaks , lot's of info here on those, and see how she performs without expensive modifications.

As far as "WHY" should a guy a guy look at a quality expensive bolt/barrel combo.....
are you competing in matches to 500/600 yards and beyond , on a regular basis? A krieger heavy barrel is a good choice..... but this will not be a pack around rifle.... it will be a tank to carry
the next choice is a krieger DMR, medium contour.... precision accuracy, lighter than the heavy , but still.... arre you a competetive shooter...... do you really need a barrel such as this.... these are the questions you have to ask.

If a guy is going to spend over 400.00 ..... I would n't waste my money on anything but a krieger stainless.

An NM barrel or NM quality barrel, is a barrel that has external dimensions that run true , or concentric, to the bore, and all other surfaces and dimensions are exact to the drawing blue print for locations of all barrel detail.
One of the USGI barrel manufacturers , SAK , is widely renowned for producing exceptional barrels of NM quality. These are highly sought after and fetch some big $$$

rebarrelling is a serious endeavor that should really only be considered if A) you have lots of fun $$$ hehehe and B) you've convinced yourself that certain valuable appendages on your body, will surely fall off if you don't have a krieger SS DMR and usgi bolt to match in your rifle and C) you've shot your norc and are not satisfied with it's accuracy but you are too damned attached to it to let it go........ that's called the addiction

 

[lazedout]

Thanks for the reply.

Ya never know, I may want to try in competitive shooting. As for right now no, but I always leave my options open. My goal is to have a multi-purpose M-14 that I can use in close ranges and at far distances for hunting. Recently, a bit of money has come to me unexpectedly (Tax return and GST check ) so I wouldn't mine putting money into a rifle that I am going to trust my life with. Whether I shoot the M-14 stock, I know down the road I am going to spend the extra money anyways. Why not be impulsive and get it now?

I was more directed towards the Standard Weight 18.5" "Bush Barrel" that Fulton is selling only because there is a source I found for just one. Any advice on this barrel?

 

[Hungry]

M14Doctor just saved me a pile of typing. We want YOU to be happy, and also prudent about saving yer money (read: after tax dollars)

If you are competing in Service Rifle matches... you MIGHT (big might) wanna consider rebarreling to a NM dimension for consistency. If you are a cheap bastxrd like me who ONLY reloads, then by all means a USGI bolt will tighten your chamber to avoid repeated stretching of your civvie brass, therefore lengthening your brass life. That's when upgrades of this magnitude are worth the expenditure.

OTOH, I know guys like Ton45II shoot very well with the factory barrel (and chu wood stock ) AND he still kicks my ass at Connaught shooting factory ammo (milsurp) and NO Mods done to his boomstick!! I can attest to that! He's just a great shooter!!

So should you spend the money? Well, like Thomas said, " Shoot the heck out of it first"... then come to us and we'll bounce if off our noggins. I really don't like you guys to spend all kinds of money UNLESS your game really needs your pocketbook to step up to the plate.

Hope this helps!



Barney

 

[M14Doctor]

Thanks for the reply.

Ya never know, I may want to try in competitive shooting. As for right now no, but I always leave my options open. My goal is to have a multi-purpose M-14 that I can use in close ranges and at far distances for hunting. Recently, a bit of money has come to me unexpectedly (Tax return and GST check ) so I wouldn't mine putting money into a rifle that I am going to trust my life with. Whether I shoot the M-14 stock, I know down the road I am going to spend the extra money anyways. Why not be impulsive and get it now?

I was more directed towards the Standard Weight 18.5" "Bush Barrel" that Fulton is selling only because there is a source I found for just one. Any advice on this barrel?

Fulton is known for having quality parts..... the M14 has been thier game for a long time now. If you have the opportunity to get one of thier bush barrels..... , I'm sure you would be happy with it. Most guys just get thier norinco barrel shortened to 18.75 and have been very happy with thier "norinco bush barrel".

as Lazerus2000 always says to me.... over my shoulder while i'm drooling over the latest piece of M14 unobtainium...... speed costs money thomas, how fast do you want to go

 

[Grizzlypeg]

I'm not sure how accurate you are looking for, but you can probably get your Norinco to shoot 1.5moa without changing bolt or barrel. Maybe even better if your gun was randomly made better (or worse?) or you find a pet load for it.

 

[Splatter]

If you are going to change to a commercial barrel (I'd recommend the Krieger "medium" pattern, it's only about a pound heavier than the original), if you get it "Rough Chambered" there is no requirement that you dump the Norinco bolt. If both lugs are bearing well, I have yet to read anything that would convince me that the 'Rinco bolt is inferior to the US made bolts, except when it comes to the initial headspace dimension.

 

[shortandlong]

go with m14 doctor and hungry's advice most m14/305s do not need cash put into them to to be tricked out for comp and there is plenty of things you can do on your own,better to put money into a things like glass, mount, and a stock , not to mention mags.....and AMMO and one of thier clinics

Ton45 proved that ..............by breaking 500 his first year .....and he didn't spend alot .....i don't think he had a different scope even....I wouldn't bother until you hit a plateau, you can't buy a score (who told me that )

 

[M14Doctor]

If you are going to change to a commercial barrel (I'd recommend the Krieger "medium" pattern, it's only about a pound heavier than the original), if you get it "Rough Chambered" there is no requirement that you dump the Norinco bolt. If both lugs are bearing well, I have yet to read anything that would convince me that the 'Rinco bolt is inferior to the US made bolts, except when it comes to the initial headspace dimension.

there are however minimum chamber dimensions that must be adhered to when matching a short chambered barrel. Also, on these short chambered barrels, such as the kriegers, the throat itself is not formed. The torque shoulder on the barrel is also not finished and needs to be machined to allow for 15 degree draw at the hand tight positon when installing the barrel to the receiver.

these are NOT "plug and play"

don't waste yer money on a krieger barrel , just to try and run a short chamber with norc bolt to close headspace.... from a gunsmithing and m14 armorers point of view.... this is a NO GO idea.

 

[Splatter]

Whoa! I didn't mean you could just screw-on a rough-chambered barrel and start blasting!
I meant that if you do the final chamber reaming/headspacing with the Norc bolt in place, there would be no need to spend that extra $300+ on the USGI bolt.

 

[suprathepeg]

The Norc barrels seem fine. With hand loads I've shot MOA groups with a cut 18.5" barrel. Israeli snipers used spec matched USGI barrels to decent effect.

In my humble and armature opinion the barrel is the last thing I would touch on a Norc unless of course there is some sort of flaw in tube that came on your gun. Things like a proper scope mount and good stock will go much farther for the money then a barrel.

If you find that you need to change the barrel for whatever reason a excellent quality USGI or nork one will likely cost you much less.

 

[rommelrommel]

Whoa! I didn't mean you could just screw-on a rough-chambered barrel and start blasting!
I meant that if you do the final chamber reaming/headspacing with the Norc bolt in place, there would be no need to spend that extra $300+ on the USGI bolt.

I looked into this and the answer seemed to be a negative... there's no way to set the barrel back that extra few thousand and still get proper indexing apparently.