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The "New" Barrett MRAD Thread!!!!!!

Rifle realy cool.Im using it on war in treanches,hawe about 30 kils whith it.
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300PRC. Got a 5-shot group of 1/4 MOA at 200 yards. Bugholes is 30 minutes from Barrett and he knows folks there. I was his first maker's kit and since then he has done a bunch. The jam nut takes 120 ft-lbs so not sure what Barrett uses to get a grip on the round nut but Bugholes machines flats in the nut to precisely torque. It also allows you to remove with a standard wrench if there is ever a need. Cerakote FDE is by me.
My 33XC printed a 5-shot 0.20 MOA group at 500 yards with very little wind. Whatever Bugholes is doing they are doing it well. My 41XC should be here in two weeks but that is going into a dedicated build-Defiance Rebel, Bartlein ModdBB 34" with Terminator T5, and Cadex Dual-Strike chassis. View attachment 8081139
Very curious about these bughole barrels. Will you send more pics please?
 
I have noticed that the folded length of the Mk22 rifle is not published anywhere. Would it be possible for you to measure the folded length and report it here? In analyzing photos then it appears that the button is the rearmost portion of the rifle, if you could measure to that furthest point I'd sure appreciate it.
 
Finally got my MRAD out for her inaugural range trip yesterday. What an amazing rifle!

Here are a couple 5 shot groups from yesterday shooting 168g Federal Gold Medal Match .308 out of the 24" fluted barrel. Black dot high right of each group was the aiming point. I shot the group on the right first, completely removed + re-installed the barrel, and shot the group on the left. Virtually no POI shift. Dime for group size reference.

Tested out my 300 PRC barrel as well and that barrel shot just as good. Interestingly the 300 PRC shot 2.1 mils high from my .308 zero. I expected it to be high but this seemed like a lot. Anyone else have an example of POI shifts between different chambering out of their MRADs?

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I just picked up an MRAD in 300 prc and have had it out a few times. It is simply the best gun purchase I have made. I have some high end gas guns but the MRAD makes me smile just thinking about it. I have a proof 6.5 cm barrel on order and may get a 308 as well. The question I have for you gentleman is….

Should I buy a 338 Norma barrel? It seems to me that the 300 norma only gives 100 ft/second over the prc with the same projectile but the 338 puts alot more energy on target. I don't currently reload but have in the past and have all my gear in storage. Having said that I would prefer to buy ammo and imagine that there will be some awesome loads coming out in the near future. I can get a pretty good deal on a barrel and figure that with military adoption that round is going only to be more available in the future. Like a kid with a few legos I just want more because merica!
 
I just picked up an MRAD in 300 prc and have had it out a few times. It is simply the best gun purchase I have made. I have some high end gas guns but the MRAD makes me smile just thinking about it. I have a proof 6.5 cm barrel on order and may get a 308 as well. The question I have for you gentleman is….

Should I buy a 338 Norma barrel? It seems to me that the 300 norma only gives 100 ft/second over the prc with the same projectile but the 338 puts alot more energy on target. I don't currently reload but have in the past and have all my gear in storage. Having said that I would prefer to buy ammo and imagine that there will be some awesome loads coming out in the near future. I can get a pretty good deal on a barrel and figure that with military adoption that round is going only to be more available in the future. Like a kid with a few legos I just want more because merica!
My guess is the 300 PRC is going to do everything you’d ever want a 300 Norma to do so yeah, I think if you wanted to reload and invest in a new chambering, I’d look at the .338 offerings either Norma or Lapua Mag just to offer you something different than what the 300 PRC will already provide you. I own a 300 PRC MRAD and am in the same boat. Will likely end up going with .338 Norma Mag in the future.
 
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I just picked up an MRAD in 300 prc and have had it out a few times. It is simply the best gun purchase I have made. I have some high end gas guns but the MRAD makes me smile just thinking about it. I have a proof 6.5 cm barrel on order and may get a 308 as well. The question I have for you gentleman is….

Should I buy a 338 Norma barrel? It seems to me that the 300 norma only gives 100 ft/second over the prc with the same projectile but the 338 puts alot more energy on target. I don't currently reload but have in the past and have all my gear in storage. Having said that I would prefer to buy ammo and imagine that there will be some awesome loads coming out in the near future. I can get a pretty good deal on a barrel and figure that with military adoption that round is going only to be more available in the future. Like a kid with a few legos I just want more because merica!
I shoot all three - 300 Norma, 300 PRC, and 338 Norma (albeit in AXMC/AXSR platforms). I don't own an MRAD, but that's irrelevant. In factory ammo, the 300 PRC is a little less than half the cost to shoot than the others. The 300 Norma definitely outperforms the PRC, but good factory ammo (Berger 230 Hybrid Tactical) is double the cost of the PRC (Hornady 225 ELD Match). The Berger is a bit better ammo for ES/SD, which does make a difference at ELR distances. At present, there is NO good factory ammo offering for the 338 Norma that I have found, so it is a handload-only cartridge as far as I'm concerned. The Norma-branded factory ammo for the 338 is about the only one available, and it is WAY too conservative (slow). Of the three, with no restrictions (ie handloads OR factory ammo), I prefer 338 Norma > 300 Norma > 300 PRC, but the choice between the Normas is a very close race. If restricted to only shooting factory ammo out to unlimited distances, I'd rank them 300 Norma > 300 PRC > 338 Norma (338 Norma factory ammo sucks). If shooting factory ammo under 1 mile I'd rank them 300 PRC > 300 Norma > 338 Norma (here, 300 PRC > 300 Norma due to cost and no real advantage of the Norma at these distances, but beyond 1 mile then Norma is worth the extra cost).
 
At present, there is NO good factory ammo offering for the 338 Norma that I have found, so it is a handload-only cartridge as far as I'm concerned. .
Based on this, is there a common consensus on what projectile the MRAD likes best? For instance Ive heard the SCAR 17 was built around using the 147 grain stuff and my SCAR 17 shoots 147 grain handloads extremely well. I purchased the MRAD in 338 lapua and a 24" 308 conversion, a Nightforce ATACR 5-25, Spuhr mount, atlas bipod, accushot monopod, and Dear Air Primal. I ordered lapua cases, magnum large primers, and Retumbo (all I could find in stock). Looks like most of the higher end projectiles $1 a piece. Any input is appreciated
 
Based on this, is there a common consensus on what projectile the MRAD likes best? For instance Ive heard the SCAR 17 was built around using the 147 grain stuff and my SCAR 17 shoots 147 grain handloads extremely well. I purchased the MRAD in 338 lapua and a 24" 308 conversion, a Nightforce ATACR 5-25, Spuhr mount, atlas bipod, accushot monopod, and Dear Air Primal. I ordered lapua cases, magnum large primers, and Retumbo (all I could find in stock). Looks like most of the higher end projectiles $1 a piece. Any input is appreciated
338 Norma was literally designed around the 300SMK, but it may not transition through transonic the best. 338LM was designed around a 250gr bullet, but shoots the 300gr fine. A lot of people like the 285 ELD in the LM, and I'd also look at the 300 A-Tips and Berger LRHTs.
 
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338 Norma was literally designed around the 300SMK, but it may not transition through transonic the best. 338LM was designed around a 250gr bullet, but shoots the 300gr fine. A lot of people like the 285 ELD in the LM, and I'd also look at the 300 A-Tips and Berger LRHTs.
The two I kept going back and forth on were the 300 grain SMK and the 285 grain Hornady ELD. I dont typically use anything but SMK in 556 and 308, but I have been very impressed with the 110 grain vmax for 300blk and the 750 grain AMAX for the 50BMG.
 
338 Norma was literally designed around the 300SMK, but it may not transition through transonic the best. 338LM was designed around a 250gr bullet, but shoots the 300gr fine. A lot of people like the 285 ELD in the LM, and I'd also look at the 300 A-Tips and Berger LRHTs.
I'm running 300gr Atips in my 338NM. Very accurate in stock Barrett barrel!
 
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I'm running 300gr Atips in my 338NM. Very accurate in stock Barrett barrel!
Thank you. Ill grab a box of those to start. What powder are you using? I ordered some Retumbo, but keeping an eye on Discord for H1000

Edit: are all of you using the Hornady custom grade new dimension 338 lapua dies with the specific Hornady seater stem? Ive never been super impressed with Hornady dies
 
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Thank you. Ill grab a box of those to start. What powder are you using? I ordered some Retumbo, but keeping an eye on Discord for H1000

Edit: are all of you using the Hornady custom grade new dimension 338 lapua dies with the specific Hornady seater stem? Ive never been super impressed with Hornady dies
H1000. It was in stock on Hodgdon's website a few months back and I snagged (3) 8lb'ers. I had a bookmark on it and checked it everyday for months. I running Whidden 338NM dies.
 
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View attachment 8269389 This is a Blackhawk rifle bag for a reasonably compact MRAD set up. Ideally it would be wider with 2 inches more depth to double stack mags. It will fit an extra barrel and sleeve below the bipod. Had to reverse the mdt cye heavy to get it to fit. The mag pouches are mrad specific from arbor arms and are a more modern design than the ones tou can buy from Barrett.

I am surprised no companies have come up with an MRAD specific bag (other than the Armageddon gear which seems unavailable as a stand alone unit) but this will work for now.
 

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My current favorites. Does anyone know the correct process to change muzzle devices? I understand that the barrel should not be mounted in the receiver for risk of damaging the barrel extension. Are you wrapping the barrel in a towel and locking it in a vise? Do you need to heat it up first? Any idea how many ft lbs they are snugged to? Im still waiting on the Barrett recommended bit to swap from the 338LM to 308 to arrive. Id like to use my 30 cal suppressor for the 308 until the Dead Air Primal is approved.... in 10 months or more... ridiculous.
 

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After a certain amount of fiddling with muzzle devices, I ended up getting one of these barrel vises (curious about this one too) for next to my bench vise. I'm not sure it's paid for itself yet but it certainly makes wrangling barrels easier.
You used the Mechforce one on your Barrett MRAD to remove the muzzle device and it worked well? Im a buy once cry once guy and was about to spring for the Farrell unit at Brownells for $240. I will never be threading barrels onto actions. The occasional muzzle device is as far as I go outside of ARs and I've got the specific equipment for those. Saving $140 would be nice since it cost me 1k for bullets, powder, cases, and dies to get into 338 lapua. The costs associated with this platform have spiraled out of control unfortunately.
 
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You used the Mechforce one on your Barrett MRAD to remove the muzzle device and it worked well? Im a buy once cry once guy and was about to spring for the Farrell unit at Brownells for $240. I will never be threading barrels onto actions. The occasional muzzle device is as far as I go outside of ARs and I've got the specific equipment for those. Saving $140 would be nice since it cost me 1k for bullets, powder, cases. And dies to get into 338 lapua. The costs associated with this platform have spiraled out of control unfortunately.
I haven't used it with the MRAD - sorry! I have used it for everything else including my MR762 (ever sit on a breaker bar? 🤣) but I use the factory Mk22 muzzle with the Mk22 suppressor.
 
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I'd like to get something in between the 308 and the 338 lapua, but I'd also like to get a little more life out of the barrel. It looks like I'd have to buy the kit to get at least the bolt face if I wanted 300 norma mag correct? I could buy a Maker's kit and the different mag, but I haven't seen where you can buy the bolt face. 308 is a little anemic and 338 lapua is pretty expensive to shoot. So I'd need the conversion kit, the makers kit, and then have the barrel spun up in ModBB. That would at least give me 2 barrels for shooting at 1000+ I guess. What is turn around time on those?
 
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You're welcome! I'm nothing if not the paragon of fine decision making 😀

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So walk me through what the MK22 suppressor actually does for the locking collar. Does the lock just sit behind the threads? As far as I can tell there is no secondary retention interface on my MK22 muzzle brake comparing it to my Thunderbeast 338 SR muzzle brakes.
 
I'd like to get something in between the 308 and the 338 lapua, but I'd also like to get a little more life out of the barrel. It looks like I'd have to buy the kit to get at least the bolt face if I wanted 300 norma mag correct? I could buy a Maker's kit and the different mag, but I haven't seen where you can buy the bolt face. 308 is a little anemic and 338 lapua is pretty expensive to shoot. So I'd need the conversion kit, the makers kit, and then have the barrel spun up in ModBB. That would at least give me 2 barrels for shooting at 1000+ I guess. What is turn around time on those?

Double check prices on 300NM before you move forward! It's ridiculous right now - like $6/round. I have a factory 300NM and bought a 300WM barrel last week to cut ammo costs by 60-80%. I'd also love to know more about builder kits for the future, though!

So walk me through what the MK22 suppressor actually does for the locking collar. Does the lock just sit behind the threads? As far as I can tell there is no secondary retention interface on my MK22 muzzle brake comparing it to my Thunderbeast 338 SR muzzle brakes.

It's the rear taper on the muzzle device. Unlike some dual taper designs, this isn't used for alignment. Instead, the collar on the suppressor uses the surface to effectively stop rotation. The suppressor has very little wiggle on the threads and seems to fully mate/align in the last 75% of a turn with absolutely no movement that I can detect. With the collar engaged, I can only unscrew the suppressor maybe 10% of a turn by hand before I lose my grip. Basically jamming the collar into the rear taper at this point which you can see in the wear marks on my muzzle.

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I'd like to get something in between the 308 and the 338 lapua, but I'd also like to get a little more life out of the barrel. It looks like I'd have to buy the kit to get at least the bolt face if I wanted 300 norma mag correct? I could buy a Maker's kit and the different mag, but I haven't seen where you can buy the bolt face. 308 is a little anemic and 338 lapua is pretty expensive to shoot. So I'd need the conversion kit, the makers kit, and then have the barrel spun up in ModBB. That would at least give me 2 barrels for shooting at 1000+ I guess. What is turn around time on those?
I am in Idaho with lots of BLM land available and am able to shoot reguarly out to a mile with the 300 PRC. I felt the 300PRC was the best balance between between price and capability. The 300 NM can beat the PRC but not by a whole lot. I look at the PRC as a 300 win mag improved and I shoot 220 Berger @2850fps. This works very well with good barrel life. If it matters I use Spartain rifle, and he does have those kits available.
 
Double check prices on 300NM before you move forward! It's ridiculous right now - like $6/round. I have a factory 300NM and bought a 300WM barrel last week to cut ammo costs by 60-80%. I'd also love to know more about builder kits for the future, though!



It's the rear taper on the muzzle device. Unlike some dual taper designs, this isn't used for alignment. Instead, the collar on the suppressor uses the surface to effectively stop rotation. The suppressor has very little wiggle on the threads and seems to fully mate/align in the last 75% of a turn with absolutely no movement that I can detect. With the collar engaged, I can only unscrew the suppressor maybe 10% of a turn by hand before I lose my grip. Basically jamming the collar into the rear taper at this point which you can see in the wear marks on my muzzle.

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Got it. I appreciate the info. As what I was expecting. Have you compared to any TBAC cans for noise reduction?
 
I am in Idaho with lots of BLM land available and am able to shoot reguarly out to a mile with the 300 PRC. I felt the 300PRC was the best balance between between price and capability. The 300 NM can beat the PRC but not by a whole lot. I look at the PRC as a 300 win mag improved and I shoot 220 Berger @2850fps. This works very well with good barrel life. If it matters I use Spartain rifle, and he does have those kits available.
I greatly appreciate the insight! Admittedly I just assumed the 300NM would be much cheaper (I load my own), but I remember reading the 300PRC has much better barrel life. Maybe to the point where a spare barrel wouldn't be an immediate concern? How many rounds do you expect from a reasonable load for 300PRC? Im not looking to push the envelope.