Barrels 2020

[Jud96]

I have been thinking about this for awhile and I want to make a thread discussing barrels and their quality as of now. Barrels like all things go up and down and change over the years. I know of a few barrel manufactures who have stepped their game up in the last couple years and seem to be producing better results. I currently am running Bartlein barrels and have no complaints about them. I however am very curious and I always like to experiment and learn more.

Having said that, if any of you could just give me a brief review or opinion on recent barrels you have used/installed/inspected I would really appreciate it. This is not a bashing thread, but I want it to be sort of a guide and understanding of where barrels stand as of 2020. I’ll start off and say from my experiences , I see mainly Bartlein, Brux, Krieger, and Proof barrels. Those all seem to do well, but how about all the other guys?

 

[Tommie]

I think the cream will rise to the top during this thing we will forever know as 2020. All the major (and most smaller) barrel manufacturers are capable of producing quality products. The real proof will be in seeing who maintains high quality standards under the current crush of backorders.

 

[Jud96]

There’s a few reasons I wanted to gather some of this information and what makes me curious. I constantly hear about Bartlein, Brux, Krieger, and Proof. They’re great but so are some of the less popular manufacturers. I just read a post by Alex Wheeler where he was saying how he’s impressed with newer Lilja barrels. I have heard of Lilja but I don’t know anyone who shoots them. When I read his comments on them it made me think about who else out there might be stepping up their game and making barrels better than ever. I also have heard Hart updated their machines and have a new 5 groove rifling that’s supposed to be great. I love to constantly learn so I thought this thread might shine some light on new barrel makers or barrel makers who seem to be doing things really good lately.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

What about hawk hill? I have got some great barrels from them in the past

 

[PopCharlie]

I have a 6.5x47 Lapua that has a Criterion barrel. This rifle is superbly accurate, even after 2000 rounds through it. It shoots 140 gr. Berger VLDs seated .002 off to .030 off, 36 to 37.5 gr H4350. What I have liked also, is that it has always cleaned up without a lot of scrubbing with abrasives. CLR, KG12, and an occasionally, Flitz.

I have a Hart barreled .223. Also very accurate with a lot of different bullets. 70 to 80 gr shoot the best. This barrel takes more scrubbing to clean up. It has 2100 rounds thru it.

I think, when it comes time to rebarrel these, I will choose either Kreiger or Bartlein barrels. Only because my gunsmith recommends these. He's building a 6br with a Bartlein barrel now.

PopCharlie

 

[Sniper338]

It be interesting to have 20 brands of barrels all same contour, same rifling, same length, same caliber, same etc etc... all tested head to head through numerous test.

Could be alot of good barrels out there, but machining screw ups, in the wrong drivers hands, non-obsessive load development, list goes on to where good barrels never shine.

Thats why lots of ppl look at gear reviews from competitions. I've never seen a green mountain or wilson barrel win anything. Good barrels have to find the right hands to make it into competition to be scrutinized for accuracy.

I've never had a Brux, Bartlein, or Krieger that didn't shoot well, but, I've had some that shoot better than the other in those 3 named.

Lilja, benchmark, hart, Pac-Nor, ABC, hawk Hill, and others are usually fine barrels, never hear bad things, but you never hear good things either. I'm sure those barrels have potential, but everyone follows whats known to work. Then there's a list of lower end barrels that just aren't talked about.

Hard to compare it all.. just go by what you know, or think you know. A smith that sees alot of them and really looks in depth would be the best source as to what brands never have flaws, which sometimes do, which always look bad...

For me and my knowledge:

Top 4:
Bartlein
Brux
Krueger
Proof

Middle of the road:
Lilja
Benchmark
Pacnor
Criterion
ABC
Hawk hill
Hart
Douglas
Broughton
McGowan
Shilen
X-caliber
Schneider
Rock creek

Low end:
Wilson
Shaw
Green mountain
Lothar walther


Plenty others I cAnt think of. But thats my personal list. I've heard hawk hills and rock creek are good, lilja is good. At the same time ive never owned every brand I listed so its just my guess. I know some people have had pacnors that shot just as good as any other, same goes for Broughton.

 

[Jud96]

What about hawk hill? I have got some great barrels from them in the past

I’ve heard really good things about them from the PRS crowd. I hardly ever hear them mentioned being used in other shooting disciplines. Also, last time I checked they only made a few caliber and twist options.

 

[Jud96]

It be interesting to have 20 brands of barrels all same contour, same rifling, same length, same caliber, same etc etc... all tested head to head through numerous test.

Could be alot of good barrels out there, but machining screw ups, in the wrong drivers hands, non-obsessive load development, list goes on to where good barrels never shine.

Thats why lots of ppl look at gear reviews from competitions. I've never seen a green mountain or wilson barrel win anything. Good barrels have to find the right hands to make it into competition to be scrutinized for accuracy.

I've never had a Brux, Bartlein, or Krieger that didn't shoot well, but, I've had some that shoot better than the other in those 3 named.

Lilja, benchmark, hart, Pac-Nor, ABC, hawk Hill, and others are usually fine barrels, never hear bad things, but you never hear good things either. I'm sure those barrels have potential, but everyone follows whats known to work. Then there's a list of lower end barrels that just aren't talked about.

Hard to compare it all.. just go by what you know, or think you know. A smith that sees alot of them and really looks in depth would be the best source as to what brands never have flaws, which sometimes do, which always look bad...

For me and my knowledge:

Top 4:
Bartlein
Brux
Krueger
Proof

Middle of the road:
Lilja
Benchmark
Pacnor
Criterion
ABC
Hawk hill
Hart
Douglas
Broughton
McGowan
Shilen
X-caliber
Schneider
Rock creek

Low end:
Wilson
Shaw
Green mountain
Lothar walther


Plenty others I cAnt think of. But thats my personal list. I've heard hawk hills and rock creek are good, lilja is good. At the same time ive never owned every brand I listed so its just my guess. I know some people have had pacnors that shot just as good as any other, same goes for Broughton.

I would love to see a test like this done. It would be very long and rigorous, but it would be interesting to do. I really enjoy reading what @Alex Wheeler and other top smiths have to say about rifle components and barrels. Those kind of guys know what they’re looking at inside a barrel and with every other part of a precision rifle.

 

[Jud96]

I have a 6.5x47 Lapua that has a Criterion barrel. This rifle is superbly accurate, even after 2000 rounds through it. It shoots 140 gr. Berger VLDs seated .002 off to .030 off, 36 to 37.5 gr H4350. What I have liked also, is that it has always cleaned up without a lot of scrubbing with abrasives. CLR, KG12, and an occasionally, Flitz.

I have a Hart barreled .223. Also very accurate with a lot of different bullets. 70 to 80 gr shoot the best. This barrel takes more scrubbing to clean up. It has 2100 rounds thru it.

I think, when it comes time to rebarrel these, I will choose either Kreiger or Bartlein barrels. Only because my gunsmith recommends these. He's building a 6br with a Bartlein barrel now.

PopCharlie

Criterion is one that I have on my list that I have heard nothing but good things about. One smith I use to talk to often switched to them for his PRS rifles and shop builds. He looked through and shot a lot of barrels and told me Criterion made the best barrels he had seen for the money. They make contoured blanks and they’re only about $250 so that’s a great price for a barrel that performs well.

 

[DirtySteve]

Sniper338, I am going to have to disagree with your list... Shilen Douglas and Hart have all been in the winners circles in big matches. The problem is, that shooters all want to know what the most recent winner used and assume his barrel maker obviously makes a better barrel. Not thinking, he had an off day, or the winner just had a perfect day/better wind condition/had just got laid or was in a better mind set. So every one runs out and buys Barrel brand X... Until, they get beat by some one shooting Barrel brand Y.. Then you would have to be nuts to sill be using brand A, B or C.. "You can not win with those barrels. blaa blaa blaa.. it is a bunch of hooey.. Lija is good enough for Olympic gold medals, Douglas, Shilen and Hart have made top bench rest barrels forever.. Why cant they win now? Because the top shooters tried different barrels and won matches. They(Hart, Douglas and Shilen) did not forget how to make great barrels they still do. Just the top shooter have not tried them recently. If they did they would be on everyones guns like they were in the 70's-80's...

Just my thoughts on the subject. I have Shilen, Rock Creek, Krieger and Brux barrels currently. I shot a match in Texas a while back using a Shilen barrel on a Savage and shot 17 X's.. Not bad for a prefit middle of the road barrel. (I also shot a solid 5 during that match it was hideous.) My point is most shooters are followers. They follow the leaders and most are afraid to take the road less traveled. I order barrels based on wait time. In stock reigns supreme for me..

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I cant see proof being on the top tier of everybodys list. They talk themselves up but thats about it. Everybody is going to have a different list and its pretty much a popularity contest

 

[Tommie]

I cant see proof being on the top tier of everybodys list. They talk themselves up but thats about it. Everybody is going to have a different list and its pretty much a popularity contest

Beware of barrel snobs

 

[6MMWASP]

I'm not a competitive shooter just a hunter and I like accuracy. I have had 8-9 rifles barreled in the last 3 years with Rock Creek, Kreiger, Lilja, Hart, Brux and Bartlein. All of them shoot better then these 66 year old eyes.

Rock makes some very accurate light weight barrels.

 

[Jud96]

There have been improvements made since the 1970s in every aspect of manufacturing and shooting. I just think barrels that are in the winning circle now are made to a higher degree than 50 years ago. I’m not saying those processes don’t make good barrels, I just think with modern technology and with the knowledge we have today, it’s more likely to produce more consistent barrels with better tolerances and finishes. Maybe the dimensionally superior barrel won’t be able to actually shoot better than the old school barrel because of the shooter, the load, etc. It’s just nice to see barrel manufacturers pushing their products to be the best as possible.

 

[wagonman]

I bought in to shilens Tony Boyer use of their barrels and bought a select match and must say I'm a happy man.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I like cut rifled barrels, so that narrows the field.
In 30 caliber, the 1-18 Kriegers set the standard.
For 6PPC, the very best barrel I have as of late is a gain twist Bartlien on my LV.

 

[Willow]

I've had good results with Maddco, Bartlein, Brux, Krieger and Mullerworks. Got a couple of IBI barrels waiting in the wings, along with another Maddco and I just scored a 30cal Brux today also. Of these, the Maddco and IBI are button rifled.

 

[coldboreshot]

If I were to establish a list much to the same format as sniper338, I think I would have to arrange mine on the basis of quality (and) customer service. My list would be arranged a little bit different. The OP raises an interesting point regarding barrels as of this 2020 year. There's no doubt that there is a large contingency of quality mfg's, however, there remains the possibility that a barrel from time to time turns out to be a tomato stake. Manufacturers needs to accept the fact that it is a distinct possibility. Its got nothing to do with pride and it is certainly nothing personal. I have many high-end barrels that I would never part with and treat like unobtainium, but I also have had some that would literally be better suited to plant tomatoes. Sometimes it not the end-user's or the gunsmith's mistake. Just sayin'...

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I could never make a list like this. I would have to have extensive experience with every one of those makes. Not sure I could do that in a life time. I use Krieger, Brux, Bartlien, Broughton, Rock Creek, and Lilja barrels the most. If I thought any of them were second rate I wouldnt use them. I will not use barrels, actions, stocks, or any other part that I do not think is what it should be. I just dont take the job. I do have some preferences for certain applications that I have seen play out over time. Not to say thats the best barrel, but its the best I have used for the intended use. I can say Krieger impresses me with the consistency they can put out in regards to dimensions, straightness, and groove shape.

Also, tuning is a skill, your not going to master it on your first few barrels, Im still learning new things all the time. I think sometimes too much is expected from the equipment, a barrel is only as good as the tuner and shooter. I have certain customers that will take every barrel I send them and win with them, no picking or sorting barrels. Literally every barrel goes to a match and is competitive at the top level. Those are also the same guys that really work at tuning.

Another thing that happens is a guy will get a really good barrel or simply get lucky that one of the first loads he tried was the right one. From that point on he will compare every other barrel to that. Its not normal to go out on day one a have the tune nailed, (unless your loading at the range with a cartridge you know well). It is normal to have to work at it a bit, sometimes a lot if its a totally new combo. Even on rounds that we have really figured out in BR still need tweaking from one barrel to the next. But when I build a new rifle in a new caliber I have never loaded for I fully expect to have some work to do.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I have been burning Barrels in Matches for 40 years !
Lots of Krieger's Never a Problem . I have my newest .284 Krieger my Barrel Plumer stated the Straightest Barrel He has seen .
Had Obermeyer always Fantastic . Bartlien Great . Shooting a couple Brux right now have not had a problem.
problem.

The only Barrel I can say I was not happy with Shilen ? Why need 3-4 shots to be on call, it lasted for 1500 Rounds on a .223 AR Match Rifle . It may have been a 1-1000 ? my luck.