rimfire barrel recommendations

[BoydAllen]

A friend is going to rebarrel one of his .22s that he uses for benchrest score matches among friends. Since he does not have or use a computer, I told him that I would do some research on the internet. My position is that he should buy the very best that is available. My question to all of you is what would that be, and why do you think so?
Thank you for your time.
Boyd Allen

 

[K9TXS]

Shilen Ratchet 4 groove

I have 3 bench rifles with this barrel.

 

[B23]

Lilja barrels seems to be a pretty popular choice amount rimfire shooters.

 

[USMCDOC]

I am reading some things about the Bartlein barrels being pretty sweet too.. Rock Creek, Dan Muller, Douglas, Benchmark three and four grooves.. but my bolt gun has a Shilen, just not sure if it is a "ratchet" barrel or not..

 

[gme]

My customers have had very good luck with Benchmark and Hart

 

[Kookie]

MullerWorks is the most in demand with the top benchrest shooters, but not readily available. Shilen ratchet is next most popular. These two pretty much have dominated in ARA competition over the last few years.

 

[Hippy]

Benchmark 3 grove 16.5 " twist or Shilen Ratchet U will not go wrong with either one--Muller are used BUTT I have had 2 ordered for 3 + years--It is well known that Dan Muller Taper laps his bbls like only he can

Good Luck

Jim

 

[FFEMT]

I'm having a gun built now. From what information I was able to put together and looking at the winners circle, I chose to go with the Shilen Rachet. That being said, I am just starting the first big hurdle of this learning curve, so I really have "0" first hand knowledge. I will be keeping my eye open for a Muller in the future...... Bob.

 

[6and7mm]

Boyd, my commentary is that there are several uber high quality barrel options for your friend. I doubt he could go wrong with at least four brands listed above. At 50 and 100 yards, my Bartlein is rather outstanding, able to yield a 496-499 out of 500 on a regular basis, and frequently well over 20-25 "Xs". It is more about the proper ammo for your barrel than it is about "the best barrel".

Your friend has lots of great options available.

 

[USMCDOC]

My customers have had very good luck with Benchmark and Hart

Kevin Nevius favors Hart barrels

i have two Ratchet barrels, one Green Mountain that is stellar and fixing to get a Bartlein..

 

[jbell]

I am a big Benchmark 3 groove fan, but have had very good luck with Shilen Ratchet barrels too.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Benchmark 3-groove Heavy reverse Taper and if you use Lapua ammo a JGS Nevius .22 reamer to chamber it.

 

[B23]

It's kind of interesting how nearly all the rimfire comp shooters use button barrels and everyone in the centerfire BR world is predominately using single point cut barrels.

 

[Intell]

I've had good luck with several brands over the years in BR. A 2 groove Benchmark 17 3/4 twist. 8 groove 16 twist Muller and a 4 groove standard bore Lilja come to mind, all shot very good. I also had a Pacnor that shot good several years ago. Now I'm rocking a 17 twist 5C Broughton on my Trident. I just got it tuned last weekend and haven't shot it in a match yet, but I could tell its going to be good the way it was acting in pushes and switches. A lot of custom barrels are capable of shooting small in good conditions once they are tuned well, but some seem to buck the wind better than others and are more predictable.

 

[USMCDOC]

Benchmark 3-groove Heavy reverse Taper and if you use Lapua ammo a JGS Nevius .22 reamer to chamber it.

Will be ordering one soon

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Will be ordering one soon

It is about an 8-week wait for them to make the reamer from the time you place the order

 

[USMCDOC]

It is about an 8-week wait for them to make the reamer from the time you place the order

Thank you for letting me know what the lead time is running right now..

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Thank you for letting me know what the lead time is running right now..

I am not sure what it is now, but this past December it was 8-weeks might be less or more now.

 

[Brians356]

I've read the chamber should be "match" spec so that typical match ammo bullets will engage rifling when chambered. Any smith who services the rimfire match community would discuss chambers and ammo with the client. I suggest digging up Layne Simpson's article "Accuracy And The .22 Long Rifle" in the July 2018 edition of Shooting Times.
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[Hi-NV Shooter]

I've read the chamber should be "match" spec so that typical match ammo bullets will engage rifling when chambered. Any smith who services the rimfire match community would discuss chambers and ammo with the client. I suggest digging up Layne Simpson's article "Accuracy And The .22 Long Rifle" in the July 2018 edition of Shooting Times.
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On the RA site look up the 3-year long thread by Lapua shooter Kevin Nevius and read about his chamber testing over a period of 3 years very valuable information IMO