Posted: 5/27/2011 6:28:09 PM EDT
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Now that AA will no longer be using Satern cut rifled barrels on your high end builds, what barrel manufacturer have you
selected to replace them with? Many people would like to know. |
What would Boxer do?
A dead whale or a stove boat.
A dead whale or a stove boat.
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In providing the diversity of products we manufacture, we retain significant capacity in barrel manufacturing not only with external vendors but also with an in house capability. For high end barrels we have a total of three external vendors and include the capability to button, cut, hammer forge and broach. We have a full capability to profile, chamber and finish in house, including lapping and will be actively expanding this as we move to the 338 Lapua rifle. While I understand that certain parties would now wish to have specific manufacturers names, this serves little purpose as all barrels are manufactured to our specifications and drawings. In terms of cut rifled barrels we retain this capability and all our guns which are advertised with these will continue to have cut rifled barrels. It is anticipated that the delivery of these rifles will become more responsive and we should be able to maintain stock on the shelf for the cut rifled barrels going forward, something that has not been achievable to date. We have selected a new vendor for our cut barrels.
The Beowulf has never been offered with a premium barrel but this may change as we expand the model types. |
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I've read that there's actually very little difference between barrel manufacturing techniques with regards to potential accuracy. That is, it is possible to make a very accurate barrel with any method, just that the techniques and care required are a little different. World-class smallbore rifles are almost always button-rifled, for instance. It's just that with manufacturers that take the time to handcraft their barrels, the economy of scale doesn't apply and cut rifling offers them the lowest possible machine costs, at the expense of production speed.
From a mechanical standpoint, that certainly makes sense to me. My questions are: Does the Grendel cartridge tend to have any particular bias towards or against certain barrel types? Does its customer base tend to have any particular bias (whether warranted or not)? Given the growing market footprint of the cartridge, will we continue to see the premium barrels as all cut-rifled, or might we see a change to a higher-production method like buttoning in the premium lineup? |
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The Grendel like any cartridge will always benefit from a very well made barrel, and the long projectiles that make the caliber work so well do amplify the effects. This said we have Shilen button rifled barrels that we profile and chamber in house that will shoot as well as any other type and the performance cannot be differentiated from the cut rifled types. Generally the Grendel will be least sympathetic of the chamber set up and concentricity must be maintained regardless of the barrel type.
It is always our intention to build rifles that offer the very best accuracy regardless of the barrel type. Our rack grade products will lack the hand lapped finish but the workmanship we specify and insist upon is of the highest quality. I do not subscribe to the idea that any barrel is a best barrel simply because there is a name on it, if the quality is substandard for what is expected it will be rejected. This has proven, it appears, to be a controversial approach and has certainly earned a backlash from some quarters. Returning to the questions, beyond the chamber, the next most important item is the uniformity of dimensions and twist within the bore. Button rifled barrels can achieve this but it is more difficult in volume because the button will wind up and unwind the guide rod as it pulls through so minute variations will persist. Cut rifling with very low cutter loadings is more precise but then there is movement of the cutter in the cutter box which can cause variations. Broach and hammer forging both have advantages and disadvantages and should be selected upon the merit and use of the barrel. I feel that generally our customers will ask for something other than button for the high end as there is an expectation of the Grendel in terms of accuracy. Correctly the increase in demand has strained the supply chain for cut and this is why we have additional vendors for this option. Moving forward we expect that the changes we are making will actually result in a better supply and less rejections which will help with growth. |
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Originally Posted By AlexanderArms:
In providing the diversity of products we manufacture, we retain significant capacity in barrel manufacturing not only with external vendors but also with an in house capability. For high end barrels we have a total of three external vendors and include the capability to button, cut, hammer forge and broach. We have a full capability to profile, chamber and finish in house, including lapping and will be actively expanding this as we move to the 338Lapua rifle........... Wait, what.......? |
Cry havoc and let loose the killdozers
-ColonelHurtz
Portfolio: http://www.coroflot.com/762rum?state=25&specialty=4&
-ColonelHurtz
Portfolio: http://www.coroflot.com/762rum?state=25&specialty=4&
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Originally Posted By RUM:
Originally Posted By AlexanderArms:
In providing the diversity of products we manufacture, we retain significant capacity in barrel manufacturing not only with external vendors but also with an in house capability. For high end barrels we have a total of three external vendors and include the capability to button, cut, hammer forge and broach. We have a full capability to profile, chamber and finish in house, including lapping and will be actively expanding this as we move to the 338Lapua rifle........... Wait, what.......? Well, I guess you heard it here first! 338 Lapua! 
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"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit"
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338 Lapua....Hmmm. I hope they do it well and are in it for the long haul.
But didn't anyone notice that the 338Lapua got dumped in favor of the 300 Win Mag? THe Marines are still fielding a few but "Big Green" was told 300WM is it. Remington dumped most of their research budget into the 300WM last year!. Nothing against the 338 Lapua at all but its not where the money is going! Just my thoughts! |
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Not interested in simply following the crowd and certainly not the 300 WM if this puts us head to head with Remington. What is the chance of success there.
As usual our intention is to map our own direction and bring something to market that is not just another clone. New platform, new caliber, new capability. |
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On that front, I agree totally. The 338 is a great platform and is well emplaced in the Mil industry.
It was just for information as the Industry is taking a financial hit and the new DOD will probably just cut more. Our market is in for some rude awakenings soon I fear. But as always, Bill seems to come out on top so all the best and good luck. J |
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"The Grendel like any cartridge will always benefit from a very well made barrel, and the long projectiles that make the caliber work so well do amplify the effects. This said we have Shilen button rifled barrels that we profile and chamber in house that will shoot as well as any other type and the performance cannot be differentiated from the cut rifled types. Generally the Grendel will be least sympathetic of the chamber set up and concentricity must be maintained regardless of the barrel type. "
does this mean that you can and will make an 18" Shilen barrel from a 19.5"? |
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Originally Posted By tallhorse89:
any word on they waiting time. i have a barrel ordered........still waiting  The development of new profiles and then getting those into the production stream has taken a bit (understatement!) longer than we planned. Give us a call and check on your specific order. Thanks!! |
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Originally Posted By GrendelAA:
Originally Posted By tallhorse89:
any word on they waiting time. i have a barrel ordered........still waiting The development of new profiles and then getting those into the production stream has taken a bit (understatement!) longer than we planned. Give us a call and check on your specific order. Thanks!! 4-8 weeks hopefully + the 7 weeks ive already waited  was told 4 weeks when i ordered....... Im complaining but i totally understand, ur cs has been understanding with my all my calls
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