Stag10 IBI Light Profile Review with Load Developments

Ilove12gshotguns

Ilove12gshotguns

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These barrels are fairly new to the market as the light profile, and decided to take a chance on one. IBI makes good barrels, but this is the first light profile.

These are made specifically for Sterling Arms, and come branded as such.

I've got the IBI barrel in the mail a few days ago, and installed yesterday. So I loaded up a few loads and will post the results tomorrow. Here is my setup, and bullet combos I will be trying out tomorrow.

Stag-10#
IBI 19" lightweight 5R 1-10 twist
Hiperfire trigger#
Ziess 3 - 14 x 50#
Rear bag with front tripod off table

168SMK
IVI Case
Varget 42.1g
WLR primer

178 ELD-X
IVI Case
Varget 40.5g + 42g
WLR primer

178 ELD-X#
IVI case#
4064 - 39g - 41g
WLR primer

Hornady whitetail
180g Soft point
Factory

Just what I had at home. I have high Hope's that one of these will shoot well.#

I also will be shooting a group cold with the 168 smk, and dumping another 15 rounds into the dirt as fast as possible. Then immediately firing another group hot. The groups will be done at 200m. This test is to see what kind of accuracy changes I get from a hot to cold barrel.

Chris
 
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Results are in,

Note** I had to shoot at 150m today, due to limited space. All groups are at 150m.


y62N5fp.jpg

178 ELD-X
4064 @ 39g
Group 2.5"
1.6 MOA


4bOIOKe.jpg

178g ELD-X
4064 @ 41g
Group 1.6"
1.06 MOA


jAb6MHD.jpg

178g ELD-X
Varget @ 40.5g
Group 2.2"
1.46 MOA


NGUGqrD.jpg

178 ELD-X
Varget @ 42g
Group 3.8"
2.53 MOA


Msss8tG.jpg

Factory 180g
Hornady Whitetail
Group 2.3"
1.53 MOA

Shot three groups of during the test in total. I had high Hope's for this load, as it have me Sub MOA in the factory Stag barrel. The new barrel shot it like crap, and inconsistently. It was all I had on hand in surplus, so I decided to go ahead with the cold/hot barrel POI test.


vIG3bA8.jpg

168 SMK
Varget @ 42.1g
Groups 4.9"
2.3"
3.7"

Hot barrel POI test using 168 SMK with 42.1g Varget


nhlxPdj.jpg

Cold Group 2.3"
POI - 2" high


702UAtg.jpg

Hot Group 3.6"
POI - 1" high

The barrel is looking at a 1" POI shift straight down at 150m, and no noticeable group size increase. Keep in mind the 168g load shot like crap, but it was the only load I had a surplus of.

Overall, not the Sub - MOA numbers I was looking for, but overall I am happy.if you look at the barrel performance overall it's not to bad. Let me summarize

- Saves 1.4 pounds over stock barrel
- POI shift test - 1" or .75 MOA
- Shot 4/6 groups right around the 1.5 MOA mark
- With some tweaks I am confident I Can get 178 ELD-X to shoot sub-MOA with 4064.

Well that's the honest review.

Chris
 
If you want tight groups from a lightweight/pencil barrel you aren't going to get what you're looking for.

If you want a lightweight rifle with acceptable large game hunting accuracy you will get what you're looking for.

Lightweight barrels have their purposes. Tight groups isn't one of them.

Just my .02
 
Ya I have 3 IBI barrels in thicker profiles for 308 and 224 V semi autos and they are tack drivers. Both sub MOA with factory ammo and the 308 is better with handloads. Haven't shot surplus in them though.
 
jiffx2781 said:
If you want tight groups from a lightweight/pencil barrel you aren't going to get what you're looking for.

If you want a lightweight rifle with acceptable large game hunting accuracy you will get what you're looking for.

Lightweight barrels have their purposes. Tight groups isn't one of them.

Just my .02
Click to expand...

I totally agree here but I still want to see tight 3 shot groups
My rifles are seldom for punching paper as a means of entertainment. Most are tools for hunting
I went with the MRA pencil taper 18.6" 5R M118 11.25 twist.
It weighs 1 lbs 15 ounces ….. and I checked hehehe
I want to see it put 3 shots into a dime at 100 yards or I will not be a satisfied customer.
It has a lifetime warranty and a sub moa accuracy guarantee so I plan to test that theory.
The rifle is also dressed with MRA's X1 handguard, pincer gas block and defiant muzzle brake.

I don't have a good selection of various .308 here right now..... some fusion, some federal blues and some norinco green box fmj.
Under the impression that this barrel I have started out life as an IBI blank but haven't really checked on a clear answer to that.
 
jiffx2781 said:
If you want tight groups from a lightweight/pencil barrel you aren't going to get what you're looking for.

If you want a lightweight rifle with acceptable large game hunting accuracy you will get what you're looking for.

Lightweight barrels have their purposes. Tight groups isn't one of them.

Just my .02
Click to expand...

My Sako 75 Finnlight in 300WSM shoots 1/2 MOA easily(will likely do close to 1/4 MOA if I further tune my hand loads. It has an extremely thin fluted barrel too. A well made pencil can shoot great if it is built and stress relieved properly. But yes, overheating and stringing could be a problem with certain uses. No issues shooting 3 shot sub MOA with this pencil even if I rush the shots with almost zero cooling time.
 
45ACPKING said:
I totally agree here but I still want to see tight 3 shot groups
My rifles are seldom for punching paper as a means of entertainment. Most are tools for hunting
I went with the MRA pencil taper 18.6" 5R M118 11.25 twist.
It weighs 1 lbs 15 ounces ….. and I checked hehehe
I want to see it put 3 shots into a dime at 100 yards or I will not be a satisfied customer.
It has a lifetime warranty and a sub moa accuracy guarantee so I plan to test that theory.
The rifle is also dressed with MRA's X1 handguard, pincer gas block and defiant muzzle brake.

I don't have a good selection of various .308 here right now..... some fusion, some federal blues and some norinco green box fmj.
Under the impression that this barrel I have started out life as an IBI blank but haven't really checked on a clear answer to that.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't count on MRA standing behind their warranty. Ryan is liar and a shiester from my experience. And, my MRA barrel doesn't shoot that well in addition to the 2 separate manufacturing defects I recieved. I wish I spent my money on a barrel from an established manufacter that stands behind their products and knows how to manufacture one. Oh well, gonna throw this one out and order another, lesson learned. Just a heads up��.

And yes, MRA uses IBI blanks on all their 5R barrels.
 
Tachead said:
I wouldn't count on MRA standing behind their warranty. Ryan is liar and a shiester from my experience. And, my MRA barrel doesn't shoot that well in addition to the 2 separate manufacturing defects I recieved. I wish I spent my money on a barrel from an established manufacter that stands behind their products and knows how to manufacture one. Oh well, gonna throw this one out and order another, lesson learned. Just a heads up��.

And yes, MRA uses IBI blanks on all their 5R barrels.
Click to expand...

you are just one customer and I have seen your posts amongst many others who say the opposite.
I'm not a fan boy, I just wanted a barrel in a short time period and that one grabbed my fancy.
I'm going to be killing deer with it from a treestand…… I'm pretty sure it will be as accurate as I need it to be.
That said, if I can't get sub moa in 3 shot cold bore groups..... no I will not be happy.

If I wanted a paper puncher, I would certainly not have purchased the pencil taper.
My friends have been very happy with their MRA barrels so I'm gonna reserve heeding any warnings from others.
The brake, gas block, barrel and handguard are nice pieces of kit. Excellent machining detail and professional finish with very discreet logos and all the parts assembled to my stag-10 upper with zero issues.
My first purchase with MRA and from the shipping to the professionally packaged items , I'm a happy customer so far.
 
Tachead said:
My Sako 75 Finnlight in 300WSM shoots 1/2 MOA easily(will likely do close to 1/4 MOA if I further tune my hand loads. It has an extremely thin fluted barrel too. A well made pencil can shoot great if it is built and stress relieved properly. But yes, overheating and stringing could be a problem with certain uses. No issues shooting 3 shot sub MOA with this pencil even if I rush the shots with almost zero cooling time.
Click to expand...

I'd like to see that 5 round group.
 
jiffx2781 said:
If you want tight groups from a lightweight/pencil barrel you aren't going to get what you're looking for.

If you want a lightweight rifle with acceptable large game hunting accuracy you will get what you're looking for.

Lightweight barrels have their purposes. Tight groups isn't one of them.

Just my .02
Click to expand...
For hunting, all you need is first shot cold bore repeatable accuracy. You are not dumping a mag in an animal if you want to eat it, so shooting 5 round strings one after the other is rather useless to be doing with a hunting rifle imo.
 
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I'd like to know more about the shooting conditions, rifle set up and your hand loading too, if you have the time to expand on your post.
As example, Have you played with crimping? Different primers? How much time and effort are you putting into brass prep? What dies are you using? are you trickling charges, individually weighing them or dumping from a powder measure?
How's the run-out? on the brass and finished round?
I wouldn't expect you to use typical benchrest techniques to building ammo, but all of it can and does add up to making exceptionally good ammo or exceptionally average/poor ammo.
 
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