20 Practical barrel selection

[22vartarg]

Looking to build a 20 Practical on a Savage large shank Target action. Will be in a H&S Precision stock. I have narrowed my choices to Shilen, Criterion and Urban Rifleman. Would like everyone’s opinions as to their thoughts and what they would choose.

 

[JB10]

I would go with urbans. I am not in a position to build anything right now, but if i was i would give his a shot. Lots of positive feedback on them so far.

 

[jepp2]

Would like everyone’s opinions as to their thoughts and what they would choose.

Not intending to step on anyone's toes, but I always prefer a single point cut barrel over a button rifled.

 

[spaniel]

McGowan...

 

[mayday1648]

McGowan...

Urban rifleman barrels shoot better than I can. Thanks Rich

 

[Alguapo]

We have built 4 20 Practicals using the Shilen Barrels.. All are fantastic Varminters. All on Savage actions. All with HS stocks.

 

[Prose]

Urban rifleman’s got some prices that can’t be beat and his turnaround time is outstanding. I just bought 2 20 cal barrels from him.

That being said. Criterion, on average, has a better rep than Wilson.

Shilen, on average, have a very good reputation. They will give you the exact profile that you want, to the thousandth. They can also cerekote, blue, or give you any other desired finish. My shilen barrels are very good.

 

[JSH]

I will chime in here as I built what you describe. I went with a full bull as I always do when doing a bench varmint gun, 26” Vartarg.
The rig is a pita, barrel heavy. The HS stock is to lite and I don’t know if I will be able to add any weight to it or not.

So keep your barrel taper in mind.
I went with a Mcgowen as their time frame when I ordered was better/quicker. Good barrel shoots good cleans easy.

 

[B23]

A barrel from one of the numerous premiere manufacturers, regardless of if it's button rifled or single point cut, will serve you well. Also, I wouldn't use anything slower than a 11 twist.

With regard to which brand a lot of it is personal preference. My "go to" barrels are Krieger and Hart. I have a Krieger on my 20-250 and a Hart on my 20-222 but I also have Brux, Lilja, Proof, Rock Creek, Shilen and Broughton (they closed up shop awhile back) barrels. I've never had a Bartlein barrel, yet, they're another top shelf company and will be my next purchase.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I got 10 20 Cal blanks and they were all spoken for in about 3 weeks!!! More on the way. People are wanting 20 cals!!

 

[urbanrifleman]

Making barrels for my customers has been so much fun.

Truly, it is the best thing in the world to make someone happier than they expected to be... That is my goal. In fact, it is my company philosophy. Happy customers buy more stuff.

 

[22vartarg]

I got 10 20 Cal blanks and they were all spoken for in about 3 weeks!!! More on the way. People are wanting 20 cals!!

What would be the approximate wait time if I put in an order now?

 

[urbanrifleman]

What would be the approximate wait time if I put in an order now?

2 to three weeks. I'm back on schedule for 2 weeks but I need to get some more 20 blanks this week. The first batch is already gone!!! They are available so I'll get some more.

 

[searcher]

Not too familiar with the Urban barrels. For an accurate varmint tube - like another reader posted, most of my .20 cal. tubes are Hart. I'll keep buying them. Currently on my varmint arsenal, I'm running a few from Hart, one Criterion, several Krieger, a Shilen and a Lilja. And I can wholeheartedly say that all of them shoot good enough to buy again, as I've not had a single instance where a barrel from one of these makers wouldn't do tiny groups - though a number of powder swaps to find the magic were required on some more than others, mainspring swaps on A/R's, etc. If you get a 1-11" twist, you can shoot everything except the 50's with any of these in my experience. If you are willing to swap out powders in search of magic - all of these barrel makers do put out good stuff. I think differences as to how the barrels are throated make a bigger difference to accuracy with a particular bullet than brand of barrel. If shooting factory ammo in non-lead, for example - the best shooting tube might be the one with the longest free-bore. I do think the cut rifled barrels last longer - but the others are just as accurate. If I swap a .20 upper on my A/R with another of my varmint lowers, point of impact usually changes 1" to 1 1/2". That is a good example of how external influences have on the barrel itself. Tricky stuff to call one tube better than another. I trip down the tube with a borescope will show who put in the time to finish the barrel and who did not.