Rainier Match versus Ultramatch ?
- Thread starter deersniper
- Start date
It's the quality of the blanks. Not sure if it's still true, but I believe the old ultramatch barrels used Shilen blanks. I've shot the match barrel in 223 wylde and it hovered between around half moa with premium factory ammo. This was also 6yrs ago and it was a build for a friend.
@padom had done some reviews of their barrels. I got the 6.5CM ultra from his tests.
www.snipershide.com
Rainier Ultramatch MOD2 Barrel Testing - 6.5cm, 224V, 223 Wylde, 300 BLK
I know a lot of you have seen my various posts showing how accurate my Rainier Ultramatch 223 Wylde and 300 BLK (Shilen) barrels are. I've received requests from a bunch of the members asking me to test Rainier's new Ultramatch MOD2 barrels. Well wait no longer, Rainier went above and beyond...
www.snipershide.com
What accuracy have you seen from the match? I bought a unfired sp10 with a match 18” 6.5 barrel. Contemplating using it as is or selling that barrel and replacing with a Bartlien, Ultra March, proof cf or something else.
I've never shot, owned or tested any other Rainier barrels other than the Ultramatch line. Both Gen1 Shilen and Gen2 Criterion
Interesting
I was wondering what blanks they were using now.
I really like my gen 1 SPR barrel.
Man if I had an unfired Seekins I think I'd be shooting that rifle 1st before I ever thought about replacing the barrel.
I have had many different Rainier Arms barrels, Both the match and the UltraMatch. I can tell the difference in the Ultra match. Much easier to get really tight groups.
I have a 12.5 Mid Gas UltraMatch and it is awesome. I can tell you that on a good day I can get sub MOA with not problem at 300 yards. Unfortunately, they no longer make this barrel. Here are the specs.
Features:
Stainless Steel Match Grade Shilen Blank
Length: 12.5"
Twist: 1:8
Thread Pitch: 1/2 X 28
.750 Gas Block Seat
.223 Wylde Chamber
Mid Length Gas System
Ratchet Rifling
M4 Feed Ramps
Proprietary Contour
Bead Blasted Finish
Weight: 1 lbs 12.8 oz
I know that @RobertTheTexan has a UltraMatch in 308.
I have a 12.5 Mid Gas UltraMatch and it is awesome. I can tell you that on a good day I can get sub MOA with not problem at 300 yards. Unfortunately, they no longer make this barrel. Here are the specs.
Features:
Stainless Steel Match Grade Shilen Blank
Length: 12.5"
Twist: 1:8
Thread Pitch: 1/2 X 28
.750 Gas Block Seat
.223 Wylde Chamber
Mid Length Gas System
Ratchet Rifling
M4 Feed Ramps
Proprietary Contour
Bead Blasted Finish
Weight: 1 lbs 12.8 oz
I know that @RobertTheTexan has a UltraMatch in 308.
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It’s a new seekins that has had a rainier match 6.5 barrel installed. Supposedly unfired. Bought it on the for sale section.
I’d try the match barrel first before swapping. I’ve had good luck with the match and Ultramatch in 223 Wylde. My last match barrel has produced some very impressive groups during load development (sub half moa).
That's surprising, bordering on shocking, really, at least to me.
Giving up Shilen blanks to go to Criterion blanks is the last thing I would have expected. But obviously, your results were impressive & CLE is offering Criterion blanks also & that's not to be taken lightly.
Was pretty tempted to buy one for a coming upper build, but I think I'll just stick with Rock Creek or Bartlien for the time being as for me, anyway, those are more or less know commodities.
Be interesting to see how the consistency of those Criterions work out over time; maybe they are better than I think or maybe they are doing a lot of sorting for Ranier. Pretty big chance for Ranier to move from Shilen to Criterion.....................if it doesn't work out over the long run, they will have a black eye; if anything, the market is getting even more discerning & critical all the time
MM
Let's put it this way. I have Gen1 Shilen and Gen2 Criterion Ultramatch barrels that I shot side by side. Some calibers shot exactly the same, super accurate like the 10.5" 300blk. The 224V was very accurate as well.
The 6.5cm was submoa but it wasnt on par with my Bartlein cut rifled custom 6.5cm gasser barrels. This same statement holds true with the 223 barrel as well.
A very reputable and well known smith makes all their barrels....
The 6.5cm was submoa but it wasnt on par with my Bartlein cut rifled custom 6.5cm gasser barrels. This same statement holds true with the 223 barrel as well.
A very reputable and well known smith makes all their barrels....
