20cal barrel manufacturers

[Chris Shelton]

I am working on a Howa mini 20 VarTarg. Using the mini action, DIP bottom metal, Stockys VG carbon stock and likely a jard trigger. I’m still on the fence about the barrel. I will likely go with a pac-nor and just send them the action. Another option I looked at was Preferred Barrel Blanks, but have had really good luck with one of their barrels in 6.5-300wsm and only so so luck with a 6 creedmoor barrel…still working through loads on that one.

Just curious what everyone suggests for a 20 cal barrel manufacturer. Any input is much appreciated!

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Pacnor or lilja

 

[Majday]

I'd recommend hart. I have one in 20 practical and it's shot everything well I've loaded to try. 40vmax, 39 tnt and 40 bibs

 

[Tommie]

The Pac-Nor plan hits the easy button. Their barrels are very good.

 

[Gundog]

Douglas has done a lot of barrels for me in 20 Caliber. 20 Vartarg, 204 Ruger, 20 Tactical, 20 Practical and 20 Titan.
The are currently barreling a Howa Mini Action in 22 ARC for me.
I've never had a bad barrel from them.
Plus, their turn around is really quick.

 

[Mark M.]

Personally, if i had the choice, I prefer a cut rifling barrel. Bartlein, krieger, it's just personal preference, any of the above mentioned, will serve you well

 

[NorCalMikie]

Douglas, been around for a LOOOONG TIME. Been rebarreling rifles probably longer than some of us have been around.
Pac Nor, Heart, Bartlein, Lilja or just about any named barrel maker and even some not too well known. Never seen a bad one from ANY of them.
Every barrel I have gotten turned out to shoot bug holes!!
And if you're NOT competing, a 5 shot group that can be covered with a dime is close enough for the Girls I go out with.
Only problem? If you want one NOW, you should have ordered it 6 months ago.
Want to go low $$$? Think Green Mountain but don't tell anybody I said so.
You mention "fast turnaround times", everybody jumps on the band wagon and before too long, a 2 or 3 month wait time gets to be the norm.
I do blanks, ship them off to "MY MAN" to get threaded, chambered, crowned and finished.
Time from ordernig may have changed in the last few years but getting a blank in a week or two was NOT unheard of. Fast enough that when my barrel arrived, I turned around and ordered up another one and ALSO, got it in a couple of weeks. YMMV.

 

[hogpatrol]

Have two Mullerworks in 10 twist. Extremely accurate with all weights up to and including the 40s. Best accuracy has always been with BIBs.

 

[JSH]

I did a Mini project a couple of years ago. Preferred barrel and a nut job to boot, just to irritate the nay sayers. No complaints from me.

With the equipment we have access to today, there should be no bad barrels.

 

[Mark M.]

I did a Mini project a couple of years ago. Preferred barrel and a nut job to boot, just to irritate the nay sayers. No complaints from me.

With the equipment we have access to today, there should be no bad barrels.

Your right, there are no bad barrels, some are just better than others...lol

 

[JB10]

I went with a wilson for my 20p. Last year they were the only ones with a 10 twist #4 in stock. Mant 12 twist or hevy contour options were in stock but was not what i wanted. I have 2 wilson barrels and they do shoot good.

 

[806guns]

I'm happy with my Mullerworks 20 cal

 

[L.Sherm]

For the life of me I can't understand why anybody makes a 12 twist 20 cal anymore.

 

[searcher]

I am on my second Hart .20 Practical barrel. I also put together a few rifles for friends using them. They all shoot incredibly well. I have over 6,800 rounds on my first tube and still is able to whack the squirrels pretty darn good. I use 1-12" twist and shoot 32 and 40 V-Max, as well as 39 Blitz Kings. Seems some tubes have difficulty with this twist and the 40-grain bullets. The Harts have had no problem.

 

[searcher]

For the life of me I can't understand why anybody makes a 12 twist 20 cal anymore.

It depends on what one is using it for. I don't think there is a better barrel made for a .20 Practical than the Hart 1-12" tube. I've bought five for myself and for putting together rifles for others - all have easily stabilized the 39 and 40 bullets - though I recognize other makes might have problems with 12" wtist with certain barrel makes.

 

[L.Sherm]

It depends on what one is using it for. I don't think there is a better barrel made for a .20 Practical than the Hart 1-12" tube. I've bought five for myself and for putting together rifles for others - all have easily stabilized the 39 and 40 bullets - though I recognize other makes might have problems with 12" wtist with certain barrel makes.

Why not just make a 11 and forget about it.
I have a couple 12's that will shoot the 39's but I sure wouldn't order a 12 anymore banking on it will, a 11 is alot safer bet

 

[searcher]

Why not just make a 11 and forget about it.
I have a couple 12's that will shoot the 39's but I sure wouldn't order a 12 anymore banking on it will, a 11 is alot safer bet

Yeah - that is the safe way to go - but some actually go with 1-10" due to postings of 1-12's not being able to stabilize. Kind of like going to a 1-7 twist in a .223 to shoot 50 grain bullets. Overkill, to say the least - and actually can work against them from an accuracy standpoint. I do think if I were ordering barrels from other than Hart, I might be taking a chance.....

 

[MBuechle]

Lilja 11 twist in .20 Practical is the most accurate rifle I’ve ever owned.

 

[L.Sherm]

Yeah - that is the safe way to go - but some actually go with 1-10" due to postings of 1-12's not being able to stabilize. Kind of like going to a 1-7 twist in a .223 to shoot 50 grain bullets. Overkill, to say the least - and actually can work against them from an accuracy standpoint. I do think if I were ordering barrels from other than Hart, I might be taking a chance.....

Hart does make an 11 according to there website

 

[ricco1949]

An 11T, 3G, X-Caliber, 20 VT is my most accurate rifle and my go to PD colony exterminator.

However my next 20 will be a 10T for more rpms and better splat factor.