Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

[jbailey]

Hello Hide Members-

Has anyone used Noveske's 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm barrel? This guy here:
http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imc...ce=&status=

I have one of Noveske's 18" SPRs that I regularly shoot over 600yds and/or at 1moa targets. I enjoy the 18" a lot. However I am looking for improved long-range performance and would like to stay in 5.56mm.

Any thoughts on this barrel would be appreciated.
thanks.

 

[One-Eyed Jack]

Re: Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

You should be shooting 77SMKs (or equivalent) for long range performance and that Noveske barrel has an 8" twist, sufficient for the heavier bullets. Barrel chambering is not mentioned (that I read) and a Wylde chamber cut for the 77SMKs would be a good choice.

 

[splean]

Re: Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

^^^^^^^^^ Sound advice. I believe 77gr is as heavy as you can go and still feed from the magazine.

 

[Scottmilk9]

Re: Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

Velocity increase does not equal accuracy. The 2 inch difference isn't going to matter on accuracy.

I shoot my 18" guns all the time in our local matches out to 700yds with 77smk or 75 hornady bthp and get great accuracy.

Good luck.

 

[jbailey]

Re: Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

Yes, I shoot the 77gr SMK loaded to max mag length, as well as single fed 80gr AMax's. Both are outstanding bullets out of my 18"er, at least as long as my wind calls are consistently good. Guess the 20"er's additional 20-30 fps isn't worth much, but I am attracted to the medium profile of the barrel - it adds a pound to the weight of the barrel over my 18"er. I was just wondering if anyone was shooting this barrel and getting lights out results...

 

[Mohawk3a]

Re: Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

I have one, but haven't got it to the range yet. I did a lot of research on it, and found out as much as possible from the guys at noveske. The 20" med noveske barrel is supposed to be a better option for accuracy than the 18". I've found that a lot of people have had better success with the 16" over the 18". The contour of the 18" barrel won't allow any more length without giving up accuracy. That is why they beefed up the contour for the 20" barrel. My above personal opinion and research of what is better is all based on accuracy, not taking into consideration any other benefits of having a more compact rifle. Hope that helps.

 

[jbailey]

Re: Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mohawk3A</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Hope that helps. </div></div>

Mohawk3Alpha-
Yes, this helped a lot. Let us know when you have a range report. I'm not sure you are adding that much more length with the 20" over the 18" because the 20" isn't running anything off the muzzle. The upper will be 1 lb. heavier however given the beefier profile.

 

[Mohawk3a]

Re: Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

Good point. I forgot there's no fh

 

[IronSights2011]

Re: Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

I'm reviving this thread to see if anyone has a range report for the Noveske 20" Medium Varmint. I couldn't find any other threads on the subject. Is it a tack driver worth the money? Did you get superior performance over an 18" bbl.

Thanks.

 

[Highground]

Re: Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

Are they still offering them? I don't see the 20" barrel listed on their website anymore.

 

[jbailey]

Re: Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

Well, I can tell you that I bought one, shot it side by side vs my 18" Noveske SPR and sold the 18"'er the next week. Hands down the 20" is alround better in the DMR role. Better accuracy, better muzzle velocity (50+ fps, which is important in such a small, low BC caliber). Also, there is no flash suppressor on the 20", so its actually the same length as the 18" (I don't care about my flash sig - I'm not in combat with the thing). It is a lb. or so heavier, but I'm a big guy and don't mind a bit more if it is improving my down range results.

I had it at a private match last weekend. 12-15mph x-wind. Steel and reactive targets from 110 to 820 yds, one shot per target. I hit 4 of the 6 targets at longer than 600yds with my 70gr Berger VLDs (which are doing 2950fps from the 20"), including hits at 800 and 820. So it certainly extends out the capability of the 556NATO platform.

They are still selling them:
http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?cat=171

I would buy another one given all my experience I now have with it.

 

[IronSights2011]

Re: Noveske 20" Medium Varmint 5.56mm Barrel

Now I'm salivating. Thanks for the great write-up.

Angel on the right shoulder: "Buy a nice Christmas present for your girfriend."

Devil on the left shoulder: "Nice Christmas presents don't need to be expensive. Then you can buy yourself the Noveske 20" upper."

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JamesBailey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, I can tell you that I bought one, shot it side by side vs my 18" Noveske SPR and sold the 18"'er the next week. Hands down the 20" is alround better in the DMR role. Better accuracy, better muzzle velocity (50+ fps, which is important in such a small, low BC caliber). Also, there is no flash suppressor on the 20", so its actually the same length as the 18" (I don't care about my flash sig - I'm not in combat with the thing). It is a lb. or so heavier, but I'm a big guy and don't mind a bit more if it is improving my down range results.

I had it at a private match last weekend. 12-15mph x-wind. Steel and reactive targets from 110 to 820 yds, one shot per target. I hit 4 of the 6 targets at longer than 600yds with my 70gr Berger VLDs (which are doing 2950fps from the 20"), including hits at 800 and 820. So it certainly extends out the capability of the 556NATO platform.

They are still selling them:
http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?cat=171

I would buy another one given all my experience I now have with it.

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