Rock creek barrels

Rock Creek makes both button and cut-rifled barrels. What has been your experience with either. I will be more interested in a hunting rifle rather than a match rifle but would like all the precision I could get out of a 6.5 tube in a sporter contour. Thanks for input.

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 7,779

pa

There cut 5R barrels are excellent.
I have used them for both hunting rifles and 1000 yard BR.
Unless bigholes has what you want in stock.
Be prepared for a long wait.
If I were going to build a hunting rifle with a button rifled barrel.
I would run a Douglas stainless air gauged.
dave

Thanks, Dave. That is helpful. I understand the cut 5R are good-as you stated. I've not heard much on the button.

Well, I don't think they are as good as the old days when Paul Volsted and James Lederer were the barrel guys. I think Paul is working for Dan Killough, Killough Shooting Sports, and James is making the Lederer cut rifled barrels. The Lederer barrels are top notch.

I have a #4 1:8 22-250Rem button rifled Rock Creek bbl. It's accurate and easy to clean. It shoots 50's, 55's, and 75's very well.

75 A-max is what I primarily shoot out of it. It's 24", the 75's are 3291FPS with an ES of 22 and SD of 7 using Ramshot Hunter powder loaded on a Dillon 550B.

Last edited by horse1; 05/29/19.

Last edited by LEADMINER; 05/29/19.

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 7,779

pa

I have had dealings with Russell.
Other than the wait.All was well.
My understanding is that they have a military contracts.
The gov calls up and demands x number of barrels.
It puts them in a bind for the one and two order stuff....

A 6.5 Rem varmint for a 6.5mm SLR 12 pound 1000 yard rifle.
As competitive as anything else I have used and i've used just about everything..
Have no experience with Rocks button barrels..

For a hunting rifle.
Follow the advise of your gunsmith.
dave

Bartlein only makes cut barrels......4-6 month wait currently unless someone has what you want in stock. Worth the wait but I admit to not knowing all there is to know about this stuff.

I recently got a Bartlein and communication and customer service was great. Barrel is too.

Well. Bartlein is up at the top but our state of Wisconsin is rich in custom barrel makers!

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 8,398

Had a 5R cut rifled tube made when Paul was there was one of my most accurate barrels, been shooting Bartlien since and they've been as good or better, these days I'd go Bartlien if they make a contour you'd be happy with!

I had Bartlein square off the front of my receiver and bolt face, chamber and screw it together. Ordered at the end of November 2018 and got it back in March 2019. Very happy with the result.

ANY, cut rifled barrel out of Wisconsin will be top notch.

Try HawkHill cut rifled barrel's and I feel you'd be happy, to say the least we been getting pretty good barrels from Rock Creek since Paul left as well, do miss him not being there though.

I have had really great luck with Rock Creek cut rifled barrels. RC will also has really good contours and will sell you a light contour stainless barrel. Krieger and Bartlein will not.

Rock is easily amongst my favorite Cut spouts and Krieger ain't even in the conversation...mainly because I've more than a few.

Hint...………………………..

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 590

I’ve had several Bartlien barrels and at least a dozen Kriegers. Both are fine barrels but some are terrible about copper fouling, Bartlien being the worst. I’ve just had a 7 mag put together with a Benchmark stainless tube and it’s easily been one of the best barrels I’ve worked with. Cleans super easy, very accurate and seems to shoot everything I try in it. I’ve heard good things about RC barrels but to date I’ve not tried one.

Last edited by John55; 06/06/19.

My "worst" Bart',THRASHES my best Krieger.

Hint..................

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 209

NJ

I have 1 Rock creek on a 223AI about 8 years old and it is still a tack driver.Also like Bartlien and Bench Mark.