Criterion vs bug hole’s bug nut Bartlein prefits?

[Sraw]

I hear great things about the criterion pre fits but bartlein’s reputation is undisputed.

Would the latter be worth $200-$250 more if the rifle will be for local f class/fun?

 

[Falfan2017]

A good criterion barrel with proper load development can certainly achieve .25 moa. Don't think you need much more for f class.

 

[dsculley]

I am using a Criterion. My biggest handicap is my wind reading skills.

There are several national records that were shot with a Criterion barrel. http://criterionbarrels.com/criterion-barrels-reviews/criterion-barrels-national-records

 

[STOMP442]

I have no complaints with the few Criterions that I have. Great barrels.

 

[GSPV]

Criterion is the larger volume / button rifles side of Krieger who is just as famous for quality as Bartlein.

 

[mrjdasr]

Criterion is the larger volume / button rifles side of Krieger who is just as famous for quality as Bartlein.

criterion is not part of kreiger

 

[can1010]

my Criterion 300 win mag shoots and cleans just as my 7 saum Bartlien prefit made by my smith. the quality of the smith has as much as the barrel maker to do with the end results.

 

[Boyd L.]

This is hard to predict beyond the influence of prejudices, relatively limited experiences, and influences such as loading skills/knowledge, the quality of scopes used on each brand, distances fired, etc...

Now that I’ve qualified my answer I can tell you what my limited experiences and observations have shown me.
I have a Criterion 6mmBr from Northland Shooter Supply that I shoot primarily at 300. It’s a 700 in an old, a pillar bedded 40-X stock. Its Jewell trigger is set around 4 oz. I’ve tried mostly Re-15, Varget, and H-4895 among others. Sierra 107s and 95s (both SMK and TMK), Berger Hunting VLDs and Hybrid 105s are 99% of the bullets I’ve used. I’ve shot seating ladders and OCW targets ad nausem (about 600 rounds so far). My BEST 5 shot, 300 yard groups run around 1.75” with 2” more common.
I’ve got a buddy who bought a BugNuts Bartlein in 300 WM about the same time. He’s bedded in a factory glass stock with about 4 lbs of added weight. He’s tried 2-3 powders and 2-3 bullets. His best 5 shot 800 yard groups run just a smidge over 5”. He uses a bipod while I use a Bald Eagle rest.
He’s got about $230-ish more in his barrel than I do in mine. We don’t compete formally, just a group shooting for bragging rights.
Conclusion based on the limited data: He shoots his rifle more accurately than I do mine at the distances involved. Could be the arrow, or it could be the Indian.
I believe when I barrel again I’ll go with cut rifled barrel....that is if I don’t try a X-Caliber pre-fit first. They’re on sale by the way.
Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[Falfan2017]

This is hard to predict beyond the influence of prejudices, relatively limited experiences, and influences such as loading skills/knowledge, the quality of scopes used on each brand, distances fired, etc...

Now that I’ve qualified my answer I can tell you what my limited experiences and observations have shown me.
I have a Criterion 6mmBr from Northland Shooter Supply that I shoot primarily at 300. It’s a 700 in an old, a pillar bedded 40-X stock. Its Jewell trigger is set around 4 oz. I’ve tried mostly Re-15, Varget, and H-4895 among others. Sierra 107s and 95s (both SMK and TMK), Berger Hunting VLDs and Hybrid 105s are 99% of the bullets I’ve used. I’ve shot seating ladders and OCW targets ad nausem (about 600 rounds so far). My BEST 5 shot, 300 yard groups run around 1.75” with 2” more common.
I’ve got a buddy who bought a BugNuts Bartlein in 300 WM about the same time. He’s bedded in a factory glass stock with about 4 lbs of added weight. He’s tried 2-3 powders and 2-3 bullets. His best 5 shot 800 yard groups run just a smidge over 5”. He uses a bipod while I use a Bald Eagle rest.
He’s got about $230-ish more in his barrel than I do in mine. We don’t compete formally, just a group shooting for bragging rights.
Conclusion based on the limited data: He shoots his rifle more accurately than I do mine at the distances involved. Could be the arrow, or it could be the Indian.
I believe when I barrel again I’ll go with cut rifled barrel....that is if I don’t try a X-Caliber pre-fit first. They’re on sale by the way.
Let us know what you decide to do.

Not really a fair barrel comparison lol. A 6br off a benchrest vs a 300 win mag from a bipod? I'd say those 5" groups are more related to the shooter than the barrel.

 

[RDA72927]

Well, I throw a solid shout out to Criterion. My brother, myself and niece have all made High Master at Mid Range, Master & Expert at Long Range with Criterion barrels. Now, are the better than any of the custom barrel jobs, not really. But they will let you spend some money in other area's as you improve and work to building that super cool custom rig, sure thing.

 

[flintcreek6412]

I really don't want to reply to this but I feel I must. I am one of those linked National Records. Criterion has great barrels. I own 3 and have been very happy with all of them. What makes them great is what i said in my interview.....the price and ease of the prefit DIY to your door in less than a week. Criterion has treated me very well and they are outstanding people to work with.

Having said that, I also have a shouldered Krieger on a Kelbly action that I was waiting on (6 months) while I put together my prefit Criterion. I now have 9 pending NRs on that barrel....granted some were low hanging fruit in the LE category.

What I noticed is that my Krieger never, and I mean never had any copper issues. Period. Criterion took some work to keep copper down.

So I guess it comes down to what is best for you. Low cost and no wait time, Criterion all day long. Or slightly better quality barrel at a higher price(almost double for a good shoulder fit). Also for what it's worth I have a Bartlein barrel nut done by Bug Holes that I have yet to use since I went for F-open to F-T/R this year. I wish I could add that review but I'm guessing for the extra $200 you will get a slightly better barrel.

 

[GSPV]

criterion is not part of kreiger

You are correct. They are *now* not part of Kreiger, but started out that way and are headed up by someone with 30 years of experience at Kreiger.

"
Criterion Barrels, Inc. was founded in 1999 as a division of Krieger Barrels, Inc. in response to demands of rifle builders and firearms manufacturers for quality match grade barrels at a lower cost. Our company is now completely independent from Krieger Barrels, featuring a separate facility, personnel, and ownership.

Over 30 years of experience and expertise go into every Criterion barrel. This experience combined with gun barrel quality steels, our stringent inspections at every process, and Criterion employees' commitment to quality make a Criterion barrel the best choice for your next barrel.

"

 

[Boyd L.]

Not really a fair barrel comparison lol. A 6br off a benchrest vs a 300 win mag from a bipod? I'd say those 5" groups are more related to the shooter than the barrel.

That was the point of my first few sentences.

 

[Sraw]

Alright, well that was pretty unanimous.

Thanks

 

[wbm]

For what it's worth...the ceo of Krieger barrels said at a shot show last year "CBI is one of the best barrels on the market." I believe him. Have had several and all were very accurate. Do I think Bartleins are probably better? Yes. At least the Pros seem to think so. Would I spend $250-300 more for a Bartlein for local F class? No way.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Get the Bartlein from Bugholes. It will clean better and he does outstanding work.

Did you get a price from Southern? I don't think he is $300 more than a Criterion.

 

[swadiver]

Greg at Southern precision does excellent work. should be around $500 for a Bartlein Savage pre-fit from him. I have had numerous Criterions, Bartleins, and Kriegers. one of my Criterions, a .308 barrel was killer accurate. the other two Criterion .308's and one .223 were very good shooters, but not in the same league as the first .308. all my Bartleins, including a number from Greg at Southern Precision have been outstanding. the Bartleins are worth the extra coin, imho

 

[jamesdmock]

criterion is not part of kreiger

Criterion is made in the Krieger facility by a former Krieger employee. They are button rifled and are hand lapped and they are excellent barrels. In reality they are the button-rifled version of Krieger. I have been in the plant and saw where they are made.

 

[billlarson]

A good criterion barrel with proper load development can certainly achieve .25 moa. Don't think you need much more for f class.

Well at 1000 yds.the X ring is 5" diameter...with a .25 moa.gun that,s 2.5"...... at 1000....lotsa "F" class guns will do better than .25 moa.
Bill larson

 

[sparky123321]

I HATE WAITING! Yes, I am a very impatient person, so that's why I'm moving back to prefits(Savage and Remage).

I've paid the extra $300-$400 for shouldered cut rifled barrels many times, but honestly for a long range pdog(500-1,000 yards) and informal BR rest shooter it's just not worth the wait time to me. I've never had a Shilen, Douglas or Hart* barrel I couldn't get to 1/4-1/2 MOA with high-end brass, bullets, primers, powder and proper load development. I always start with 3-5 bullets and 2-3 powders to determine what the barrel like best. I primarily used Berger VLD's and SMK's and I always test bullets slightly above and below the weight I expect to shoot the best considering the barrel twist.

Last time I went Pdog shooting I had no problem taking small young dogs out to 750 yards with a Savage LRPV with a Douglas .243 Win barrel.

The only barrels I couldn't get to shoot 1/2 MOA or better in all my decades of shooting were shouldered factory button rifled barrels. Don't shoot the messenger, but they all started with an R. Didn't have the same experience with my factory Savage Target Action barrels, although I normally do upgrade them. While not the nicest rifling I've ever seen, the Savage barrels, most could shoot extremely well with proper load development.

*BTW the Hart was shouldered and not a prefit.