Jud96
Site $$ Sponsor
Do you control your bore and groove finish with the button?
Yes and the stress relief that's why we buy a whole heat of steel because it will shrink the same.
Clancy
Silver $$ Contributor
I’ve had barrels from Shilen, Proof, White Oak (superb for a gasser), Krieger and Brux.
My large caliber Brux have always shot well, and perhaps the single best barrel I ever used was a Brux 22 Dasher that belonged to a friend.
Aside from that one Brux, every barrel I’ve ever had that just wowed me was a Krieger, both in accuracy and cleanup. Going forward, I doubt I’ll use much of anything else, although the new Bartlein carbon barrels intrigue me for a hunting rifle- from which I demand as much as I would from any custom.
My large caliber Brux have always shot well, and perhaps the single best barrel I ever used was a Brux 22 Dasher that belonged to a friend.
Aside from that one Brux, every barrel I’ve ever had that just wowed me was a Krieger, both in accuracy and cleanup. Going forward, I doubt I’ll use much of anything else, although the new Bartlein carbon barrels intrigue me for a hunting rifle- from which I demand as much as I would from any custom.
Your right... everyone's list is different. Most people haven't shot abunch if different brands and most couldn't tell a difference if they tried...
All anyone can do is make a list of whats worked for them... i have no doubt other barrels on the list deal I did would shoot. I plan to buy some others..
I really can't tell much difference either. I mean let's face it, is it the barrel or is it the gunsmith ? For me, if a barrel does what I expect, break in properly, clean up well, speed up properly and shoot where I point it in nice little clusters, I'm happy. That's been my experience mostly with barrels I've owned. The exception is the cleaning more than anything. Some clean up fast while others not so much. I think that's a tooling thing. Hell, I've owned some cheap (not naming which those are) barrels and they even shot great. They didn't clean up worth a damn but they did shoot.
I have had great luck with Wilison, Bergara, Krieger, Douglas ,Lija, Shilen, LW, and Brux. I have two X-Caliber that I have not yet used. My F-Class is Brux. I like Brux and Krieger cut rifled barrels for F. For Silhouette, PRS or X-Course high power or gas gun I would use any of the above.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
My Derrick Martin service rifle is a Douglass barrel and that stinking thing is a HAMMER buddy. It will absolutely will shoot right with my Kreiger 7.7 chambered by Kreiger, and that space gun was just a joy to shoot for buckets of brass. Still shoots good.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
My Wilson barrel after break in.
The hardest thing about doing borescope videos is getting the barrel free of debris, lint, oil, etc etc that will appear as flaws.
This particluar barrel is my main practice barrel on my Elisio chassis right now. Aside from liking a more mild node, it will shoot the same as my Brux. Even Gary was impressed it being a bone stock Rem 700 action and all.
I think there are lot of great more affordable options out there for folks who don't aspire to shoot world records or go to the Nationals, but just want to have a lot f fun reloading and shooting.
The hardest thing about doing borescope videos is getting the barrel free of debris, lint, oil, etc etc that will appear as flaws.
This particluar barrel is my main practice barrel on my Elisio chassis right now. Aside from liking a more mild node, it will shoot the same as my Brux. Even Gary was impressed it being a bone stock Rem 700 action and all.
I think there are lot of great more affordable options out there for folks who don't aspire to shoot world records or go to the Nationals, but just want to have a lot f fun reloading and shooting.
Yes, there are; and they are as crooked as a dog's hind leg. Spinning them in a lathe makes you think you're looking at a crankshaft. Trying to shorten one is an exercise in futility; as well as turning one for a long range front sight. The bore is so far off center, it's almost laughable, but you will cry based on the amount of time you've invested, especially, if you've already started cutting. No tool touches a barrel, until it's spun. Two instances of, "I can't tell I made it." As if I would lie about this; so it becomes a $350.00 to $400.00 stainless steel tomato stake.
What distinguishes "good" from "bad" is customer support; and there are a couple of outfits mentioned that I will never purchase anything from - ever.
I have, a Question ,.. Has anyone used Bartlein Barrels,.. AND their, Gunsmithing services for, Barrel chambering / installation ? I have NO doubts about, their Barrels not being, Top Notch, quality !
I'm thinking about, putting in an order for, a 6 MM, 1-10 twist, 5R, and having them, Chamber up, a 6 XC, with a No Turn neck and Zero / .030 Freebore to shoot, the 70 to 90 grain, pills ! Prices look reasonable and they Lap the Lugs a bit, Included in price ! And "Facing the action" is only, $60 Bucks more, IF,. needed !
Any recent users of, those services ??? Thanks, in advance !
Thinking that, I'll spend the extra 3- $400 for a GOOD Cut Rifled Barrel and chamber job, over, a "Pre-Fit" as it's ONLY Money and the Gov'mn'ts gonna send me some more,.. soon !
I'm thinking about, putting in an order for, a 6 MM, 1-10 twist, 5R, and having them, Chamber up, a 6 XC, with a No Turn neck and Zero / .030 Freebore to shoot, the 70 to 90 grain, pills ! Prices look reasonable and they Lap the Lugs a bit, Included in price ! And "Facing the action" is only, $60 Bucks more, IF,. needed !
Any recent users of, those services ??? Thanks, in advance !
Thinking that, I'll spend the extra 3- $400 for a GOOD Cut Rifled Barrel and chamber job, over, a "Pre-Fit" as it's ONLY Money and the Gov'mn'ts gonna send me some more,.. soon !
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My 20 Vartarg is a Hart 1:9 and I have no complaints with performance. Regularly less than 1" at 300 yards. I've had plenty of groups in the teens. It's right there with my 22BR (Bartlein 5R) and 6.5x47 (Kreiger 4 groove) for consistency and pure accuracy, at least for what I can seem to shoot (4 inches at 1000, 0.5 inches at 300).
Truth be told, I've not had a "bad" barrel from anyone but I've only had Kreigers and Bartleins apart from this Hart at the suggestion of Jim Borden.
Jud96
Site $$ Sponsor
I heard a machine shop in Kentucky had bought the machines and even bought some improved machines to make barrels with. Last I heard they were supposed to start making barrels early this year.
I'm a varmint shooter 
- Shilen, Rock Creek, Krieger, Lilja, Bartlein and JP Enterprises all make barrels that shoot well for me. Lilja - a sleeper-cleans up easy, too. Ballistic Advantage makes solid AR Barrels. Noveske barrels shoot well. We may be in the golden age of choice. Jud96. good post, good info. thx.
- Shilen, Rock Creek, Krieger, Lilja, Bartlein and JP Enterprises all make barrels that shoot well for me. Lilja - a sleeper-cleans up easy, too. Ballistic Advantage makes solid AR Barrels. Noveske barrels shoot well. We may be in the golden age of choice. Jud96. good post, good info. thx.
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Ditto. Although my eyes are 3 years "younger".
many top quality barrel makers out there.30 years ago i shot hart,lilja and shilen.allshot well.then i shot a broughton.suffice to say thats all i used for many years.then i had clay spencer build me a 300 dakota.i used his spencer barrel.his barrel and tims barrels were exceptional.accuracy was incredible.last 2 of my customs were built using mullerworks.also excellent.if the steel is top quality and your smith is excellent the barrels manufactured today are almost all top shelf.mostly i chose barrels by manufacturers who have exemplary customer service.i know of 2 top rated that i wouldnt give the time of day.if tim north and broughton were still in buisness i wouldnt need another.my next will be a brux.then a benchmark.
sniper 338.i believe you need to do more extensive research,your list is shall i say a little off kilter.no disrespect intended.
I’ve got a handful of benchmarks, bartlein and KS arms barrels. They all shoot super. I own 5 benchmarks that all hammer! All my benchmarks are easy to tune and easy to stay in tune. The ks is super easy to clean, and super accurate barrels! I’d be happy sticking with KS barrels for sure.
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