bucksnort wrote on Jul 6^th, 2024 at 1:08pm:


Have four barrels for two CPA actions; two Shilen - .32 caliber and .25 caliber, one Krieger - .25 caliber, one RKS - 32 caliber with gain twist. I cannot determine that any one barrel is better than another. 

My thought is the gunsmith performing the chambering is as important as the selection of the barrel. CPA chambered all my barrels.

In a chat years ago with Dave Manson, he told me that a highly polished chamber will decrease brass life, as the expanding brass will not be able to grip the chamber walls properly, and will flow forward more than it should. Based on his suggestion, the most I take my chambers to is a 400 grit wet-or-dry paper, spun dry on a mandrel.

I have purchased over 25 RKS barrels and 4 of them have been .32 caliber.

I choose the RKS:

- gain twist barrel since it has a longer life than straight twist barrels
- precision point cut rifling since it has a perfect continous choke of .0004" from the chamber to the muzzle providing better accuracy and preventing side cutting of gases around the bullet since it is a choked barrel
- I can get  stainless steel or chrome moly barrels - I choose SS to prevent rust pits ocurring from shooting on humid days - plus hard to find anyone to hot blue anymore.
- he will cut any number of grooves from 1 to 8 - I use 8 grooves since the bullet centers easier into the barrel
- he will cut any groove-to-groove diameter you want for  .22 to .50 calibers.
- he will cut match chambers so I never have to resize my BP cartridges
- he will cut short leades so I can set the bullets of my high power rifles close to the lands
- he does perfect chambering resulting in perfectly centered chambers with the correct headspace
- precision 40 passes on cutting each groove results in a perfect bore that does not require lapping of the barrel and his higher pressure cutting fluid injection results in a smoother bore cut.
- RKS has weight balanced his lathes resulting in no vibration and smother machine cuts.
- He will cut any barrel profile you want from feather weight sporter to Palma to heavy weight bull barrel to flared muzzle diameter to ensure choke at the muzzle - tapered barrels result in reduced choke of the barrel as you remove outside material.

Many other barrels shoot well but few are as well machined as a RKS barrel.

Picture of a .32 RKS barrel with a flared muzzle to increase choke.

To the question - my CPA 32-40 barrel is a Douglas and my 22 barrel is a Shilen. No complaints.

bucksnort wrote on Jul 12^th, 2024 at 11:56pm:


Your chamber is to small? Need more room so the brass can spring back? Lap the chamber bigger? 

Lots cheaper than a new barrel.