Posted: 3/11/2008 5:28:49 PM EDT
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Has anyone used a Satern service rifle barrel for an AR15? They make a cut rifled 5 groove 1-7 twist with fitted bolt and fron sight tower for a little over $400. They seem like they are pretty well liked over at 6MMBR.com |
Well I for one haven't heard of them. Then again I don't shoot with the bench rest fellow's. I would bet Satern has a good product, however keep in mind the AR base is inherent for accuracy. The fact that they have a "cut" barrel would be a plus for maintaining a true twist rate, in this case a 1 in 7. Then there is the possibly getting a little more barrel life over button rifled barrels. The mention of "fitted" bolt and front sight tower, well I'm seeing the beginnings of a "tourist trap". The price is a bit steep too. There has been many a barrel maker come up with different number of grooves. In the sport of High Power, the fact is, they all will shoot well in the hands of a high master and not so well in the hands of a marksman. I'll conclude my post by saying, I am sticking with the Wilson SS 1x8 for High Power. For half the price of a Kreiger or the "new" Satern, I doubt that I could improve my scores or X-count. That's my 2 cents. However, I would be willing to try one for the price of a Wilson  Dave McGrath |
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I bought a barrel of theirs from MidwayUSA late last summer. It is finished well and shoots well. I did not realize it is 5 groove, not that it matters to me. I am a master level shooter and at best I shot into the low 190s at 600 with it. This was at matches here in Montana where it gets a bit breezy. Would I recommend them? Ya, it seems nice / shoots nice, but I will reserve judgment until I see how long it lasts. I was using WOA $210 barrels previously and had the last one make it to 4000rds when the rapidfire groups started opening up. Nice thing was I just took my previous match loads and used them with good results in the Satern barrel. Jamey Williams |
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I have one on my service rifle and my 6mm WOA match rifle. I have shot a bunch of cleans with both of them. As previously noted, they are on an inherently accurate platform. I wanted a cut rifled barrel for a higher round count more than anything. I found my Wilsons were losing it just about Camp Perry time hock.gif. I know Steve very well and he is a great machinist and has OCD when it comes to his product he HTH, Bill Guess |
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Hi Bill; Glad to see someone put their real identity(full name) to a post besides myself.  Camp Perry time? Okay? I and hundreds of others get 3500 or more rounds out of Wilson's before we retire them to the 200 yd. reduced course matches. They will shoot cleans to about 5000 rds. at 200 yds. If a cut rifled barrel nets you another 1000 rounds for the price of $250 more per barrel, well there is a solution. To keep ahead of the game, most shoot two and I shoot three AR's or uppers. It's just a good investment to have at least two uppers  One for reduced course matches or practice and another for EIC (LEG) matches or Camp Perry.To shoot cleans in off hand and at 600 out of any barrel, one should be the National Service Rifle Champion! I mention this as no flame but I wonder what you meant about cleans. I and hundreds of other competitors lose their "cleans" at Perry because of, "competition"! Not the barrel. No I don't mean to discredit you as a shooter or Satern barrels, but I have been around long enough to put things into their perspective. Dave McGrath |
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Your a clever guy. You definitely don't know me well enough to insinuate and assume like that, eh? How did you do at Perry last year? P100 259-4, NTI DNS??, NTT DNS?? WTH?? I normally don't talk about my shooting, since I don't see how it makes my post any more or less valid, but I'll make an exception today. I've been a HM with the SR for about 3 years now. I've been shooting HP for 5 years. I'm distinguished and very proud of that accomplishment, but my shooting is all about personal enjoyment and helping others. I've had the high score at 3 state SR champs(out of state matches) and shoot on my state gold team. I've also coached a WB team for a couple of years now,(which, BTW, is the most rewarding shooting experience I've ever had). My scores at Perry last year were; P100 280-6(tanked hard, serial choker, dog ate my scorecard), NTI 487-12 600 was 199-7(more like me htly). I still get too anxious at Perry, considering I've only been 3 times, I'll get it down and shoot my average here soon. I've cleaned every target in each position except the 200 point OH(196-12). My best score last year was 789-29. That is waaay more info than I probably should post, but your comments from someone who doesn't know me are bull and stuck in my craw for some unknown reason. Now to address the technical issue at hand..... MY experience with Wilson barrels is they start losing accuracy at about 2500 rounds. Factors like what load is used play a big part in barrel life. Can I still shoot 10's? Yes. Does x-count start going down, you bet. Considering that I compete with 2 Nathan Hale trophy winners, the x's make difference. With what it cost to compete in HP $250 isn't even on my radar. And yes, I have back-up guns, uppers, blah, blah. If you think you can disparage folks' comments publicly, I suggest next time you do it in private. Nothing I've posted is bad advice, just different than yours, think about that and get back to me . |
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Bill; I'll not argue with you. I'll not brag either. Never have and never will. I have had my day at Perry many times over with Wilson barrels on my AR's and Douglas or issued barrels on the M1's / M1A's. When you get old, I hope you can still run with the big dogs. It seems that everyone expects me to shoot like a teenager. When I no longer can and when others like me can't, guys like you come up with insults.  I gear my posts to help all through what I have learned. Some like them and some don't but all can rest assure, I'll never be anyone's bitch when it comes to recommending shooting products or rifles. My honest opinion is all I have to offer.It would seem that your childish ways of looking up my shooting last year at Perry is pointless since you know nothing of my recent health problems (cancer Med's etc) and age related problems. I started shooting at age 40 when most have already given it up! If I attend the Nationals this year, it will be for fun. You can look for my scores in the CMP games section with the M1 carbine, Springfield Model 1903 and the M1 that I started into high power with over 20 years ago.  Yep, 20 year veteran at Perry this year. God and transportation willing!Take care, stay young and I pray that you maintain the good health that you enjoy. Shoot all X's. You can do it!Dave McGrath |
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I am truely sorry to hear about your health problems. Our family will say a prayer for you tonight. BTW, I started HP at 40+ also. There have been no insults on my part. Your "Camp Perry?" at the front of your response wasn't an "honest opinion". Call a spade a spade, it was a challenge to the validity of my comments and my response was proportional. I've never been one to let my integrity be questioned. Sometimes you never know what will happen when you pull on a chain. My few post here have only related my experiences relative to the OP. I will never challenge another posters credibilty here. I trust the folks here can form there own opinions. I could never have progessed in this sport so fast if it weren't for the help of internet boards and especially the wonderful folks I've meet at matches. I can honestly say I have never had a bad experience at a match. I am just trying to give a little bit back to help other folks. If that is not wanted, I will go away, no hard feelings. I'm sure we are both just having bad juju days and if I see you at Perry I'm sure it would be a pleasure to meet you. Edit: I'm not a shill for Steve or anyone else, but I am not afraid to compliment and support any good product or service. |
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Bill, You DO want to meet Dave. He's a gentleman. BTW, he IS well over 40 and pisses me off because he's STILL thin enough to get into a decent sitting position. I'd bet if he's a veteran that he got the only uniform they ever issued that did NOT shrink when left in the closet. Dave is pretty outspoken and shares his experriences. Sometimes I agree with him, sometimes not. Hope you 2 meet at Perry. gfb |