New M14/M305 Barrel

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L4yerCak3

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East of Ontario
I've been debating on getting a new barrel for my M305. I've been looking around online but haven't really found any site that ships to Canada but did notice the Krieger barrels which sound/look ###y.
That being said, is there any specific barrel I should look for or should I even change it out? I've heard through the grape vine that some of the newer Norinco barrels aren't all that bad versus a chrome USGI barrel.
Also, would there be any real benefit in trying to find a medium-heavy/fluted barrel for my M305 or am I just wasting time and money in trying to find one?
Thoughts are much appreciated.
 
Are you shooting LR matches (I mean past 500 m/yds)? That's when you truly appreciate the role of a good NM or match quality barrel launching match boolits. The Norc barrels shoot on par with the USGI M14 factory rack grade barrels and that works for deer/moose/bear/zombie hunting.

Now on the other hand, if you like a quality american spec'ed barrel that works everytime, I / we just installed a Criterion .308 barrel on Plink's Norc M14 and it's brass measured ONE thou! :eek: Yes, you got that right ONE thousandth of an inch and that's above the 1.630" SAAMI GO Gauge. This chamber is a match chamber and Plink no longer has to neck size his brass to fit a large battle rifle chamber. He can full length size his brass every time and that reduces the stretching and premature wearing down of your .308 brass! :D

Some dealers are jumping on the barrel importation bandwagon right now and that's a good thing! :D Yeeeha! :)

Cheers,
Barney
 
Hungry said:
Are you shooting LR matches (I mean past 500 m/yds)? That's when you truly appreciate the role of a good NM or match quality barrel launching match boolits. The Norc barrels shoot on par with the USGI M14 factory rack grade barrels and that works for deer/moose/bear/zombie hunting.
Click to expand...

Not at the moment but I am seriously thinking about it. Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot of time to get out to the range between it being available (the military gets dibs on it first) and work, but I want to get out to the 600m line for sure. I just missed your clinic in Pet too :(
 
L4yerCak3 said:
Not at the moment but I am seriously thinking about it. Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot of time to get out to the range between it being available (the military gets dibs on it first) and work, but I want to get out to the 600m line for sure. I just missed your clinic in Pet too :(
Click to expand...

Yeah, it was a great time in Petawawa Clinic. Great people there, too.

Now about that tight chamber for longer brass life, it's a definite plus if you reload. If you don't reload, well don't worry about a tight match chamber, these are typical in Savage and Remington bolt rifles (especially the SPS Varmint, SPS Tac rifles that I've encountered and mic'ed); .308 caliber of course ;)

Life being perfect, rebarreling with a chrome-moly or stainless match barrel and then finish reaming the final few thousandths of an inch to swallow a 1.630" SAAMI .308 GO gauge is truly a thing of beauty. This is what a competent gunsmith will do for you. :D Many dealers are trying to step up and fill this void / desire for upgraded barrels (improving on the Norc/Poly M14 barrel/chamber situation). Kudos to our CGN dealers! :)

Does this answer any questions?

Cheers,
Barney
 
But instead of spending all the cash to match spec your chamber can you not simply neck size only? My reloading adventures with M1A rifles have all been with full length resizing. I really like neck sizing simply because there's no lube involved and the brass doesn't need two tumbles

I'm guessing that the expanded case will flow forward less with a neck sized case, causing there to be less stretch (which will lead to webbing) near the head, allowing me to carefully load more times with the same brass and not have to trim as often. I like to go 2.004 giving me .011 under the 2.015 max length and I find that will last me all 4 reloads before I discard my brass the local playground.

Considering how 308win headspaces on the shoulder, won't my 1.639 chamber match my brass after a few reloadings anyway? I guess eventually the bolt won't close until you bump the shoulder back, but you know, I'm willing to take that chance.
 
That definitely answers some questions, thank you. I haven`t ventured into hand loading yet do to lack of a feasible location. Pretty sure the MP`s would not appreciate me hand loading in the shacks. As well, for my needs right now I don`t think I need to spend the money on a new barrel and gun smith costs.

On a side note, I searched the forum but can`t find it but I remember reading somewhere with regards to changing out the gas cylinder and piston. If I change one do I have to change the other?
 
M14/M1A barrel choices are increasing in canada.
Mystic Precision or Juan Valdez can order Krieger and soon McGowan. None of these are standard profile and non chrome lined. They also require chamber reaming to final headspace.
Criterion barrels availlable thru Armtac are standard profile, chrome lined (I believe), and pre chambered. They are also a little less than a full on match barrel.
I've owned, installed and had the pleasure to shoot quite a few criterion barrelled M14 rifles over the years and have been overall quite impressed.

All that said, if yer norc or springfield is shooting nice groups with it's factory barrel, you may want to spend your upgrade cash on more ammo ;)
 
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