Hey, so I just bought a cz457 and I plan on using it for target shooting and CRPS/ORPS matches. It is sitting in krg bravo chassis....but has a pencil barrel. I thought it had a bull barrel when I bought it, but my mistake. Without doing my own science experiment now that its 0 degrees out, does anyone know if this barrel will handle 30degree summer shoots? If I'm putting 15 rounds through this barrel in summer heat over a 2 minute period will groups start to open up? I'm wondering if I should sell it or buy a lilja heavy barrel for it..
Pencil barrel for PRS??
- Thread starter Murphy 08
- Start date
You never know, thin barrels can work if you get lucky with your load and the barrel harmonics. The "whip" of a warmer barrel can coincide with the zero as the bullet leaves the muzzle.
I'd advise shooting a rapid string of fire, heat that baby up to its more flexy, and see how it shoots. You might just get lucky. If the accuracy does diminish to worse than +50% group size, consider your options then.
Not scientific, just a guess from a similar experience I had once, I would guess that you have about a 1/3 chance of not needing to change a thing. Especially with a quality CZ.
The other option is hand loading to find that harmonic load. I've gotten a Ruger Scout to shoot .7 MOA just by tinkering with loads to chase that harmonic zero... And that's typically not even a 1MOA rifle.
I'd advise shooting a rapid string of fire, heat that baby up to its more flexy, and see how it shoots. You might just get lucky. If the accuracy does diminish to worse than +50% group size, consider your options then.
Not scientific, just a guess from a similar experience I had once, I would guess that you have about a 1/3 chance of not needing to change a thing. Especially with a quality CZ.
The other option is hand loading to find that harmonic load. I've gotten a Ruger Scout to shoot .7 MOA just by tinkering with loads to chase that harmonic zero... And that's typically not even a 1MOA rifle.
SomebodyTookMyName
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central Saskatchewan
Realistically for a rimfire, barrel heating and whip shouldn't be of any concern- the .22 LR cartridge doesn't generate enough heat or pressure to make a substantial difference unless you're pushing it to an absolute extreme in every regard.
I’d be surprised if it was warm after 50 rounds to be honest. I’d still swap it out anyways. I like to tinker though and lately have taken on a “make it better, even if only marginally” attitude... I think ibi is doing prefits for those too now!
I would have no qualms about shooting it, from an accuracy perspective. I think the only downside inherent to a thin barrel profile is that the center of gravity will be pretty far back, making it very rear-heavy when placed on any and all barricades/props.
When it comes to CZ barrels, there's no reason that a varmint barrel would be more accurate than a sporter profile barrel. For a CZ barrel either one could be very good, average, or less than average. If the barrel is a 1 MOA shooter at 50 yards it's a very good one.
Regarding heating up a .22LR barrel, as Somebody notes above, it's not an issue.
Hand loading? Tinkering with loads? How is this an option?
Regarding heating up a .22LR barrel, as Somebody notes above, it's not an issue.
Hand loading? Tinkering with loads? How is this an option?
My bad - didn't realize I was in the rimfire forum, just saw the post on the front page. Sorry. Still, one can experiment with different ammo to figure out what works best in the rifle
Lol, sorry the irony is funny.
- Location
- Northumberland
If the rifle balances well and shoots well at 100yds(orps) and 300yds(crps) I would just shoot it as is and spend the money on ammo.
That's not true at all. Barrel whip for rimfire is extremely impactful. With a pencil barrel, the vertical spread at 50 yards can go over 1" if the load doesn't suit the barrel. When you've got the right load, accuracy is just as good as a bull barrel assuming equal quality of construction on the inside.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
The temps will affect the ammo way more then it will the rifle. wouldn't worry about it... just test each season to make sure the ammo you are using is working as desired.
I will be competing with a Scorpio for some matches next season... it has a sporter barrel and they shoot great. I have added a crap ton of weight to the stock to ballast it for barricades.
But also means, I can remove the weights for comfortable unsupported positional shooting.
If you want to get a match barrel speced for CRPS distances, pm or email. Happy to help
Jerry
Attachments
Two small kids/mortage/2 vehicle payments keep me in check on my solo shooting adventure spending. I will probably get an aftermarket barrel in the future but was just curious after I looked at what I bought and had questions swirling in my head. I think pretty much everyone shooting competition has the bull barrel set up. Wasen't sure what a sporter barrel could handle in summer heat with continuous fire. If it shoots great I might keep it but it's also fun to trick it out and squeeze another 1/4MOA of accuracy.
