custom barrel opinions?

[fordwrench]

no sir! that barrel was ordered because of a terrible run around and lack of communication between several people we spoke with directly about a previous order. it goes like this... in march i ordered a select match from them. 8wk week back order.. i thought ok thats fine. begining in july gunsmith called and spoke to a lady in the am about the order. she said she would call back asap. later that day he called again because she never called back. the second guy said your barrel is right here and will be to you monday. after that phone call an hour later the original lady called and said that guy had no idea what he was talking about and the barrel had to be heat treated and they didnt know if it would still be a select match after the treatment. gunsmith said ok, what else do you have in stock that we could use for the build. lady said that they had #7 contours in stock. he said ok and ordered one. the next day someone else called back and said they couldnt ship the barrel they were to go to brunos shooters supply. frustrated by the whole thing i bought another brand. poor way to treat your customer!

 

[archerross]

I went "out on a limb" with my first custom build and got a Brux barrel. Even my gunsmith has been so impressed with the Brux that he has since purchased several more and they are now his first choice for barrels.

 

[TRECustom]

Fordwrench, I've used several Shilen barrels. All of them are great shooters. The main reason I started using Lilja's was that they meet their delivery commitments. If they tell you 12 weeks, you can go stand in the door and watch for the truck. I have since found them to be very straight, true on bore to O.D. concentricity, slightly faster, quick to season, quick to clean, and at least as accurate as any other barrel I've tried.

A few years ago, my brother and I made the 500 mile roundtrip to Shilen's shop in Ennis and got a great tour. Since that time, they've had some ownership changes, and it sounds like they are still having trouble meeting commitments. That was why I tried Lilja.

Brownell's carries some of Shilen's barrels, and if they have what you are looking for, delivery is a week or less. Sounds like ordering directly from Shilen can still be frustrating though.

Tom

 

[blawton]

You should not have any problems with any custom barrels that you get. Most make a excellent barrel, all will have bad ones there is just not much that can be done about a bad piece of steel....

I have not seen Rock Creek or Benchmark on the list yet. They both make a top notch barrel and are at the top of my list if i dont use my own.

bobby

 

[rpierce]

I would give my recomendation on a brux barrel. I have had six of them in the past two years. All of them have shot phenominal. They clean very easily. You can get them for 285 plus 15 shipping. Wait time on them right now is around 8 weeks. They are also super nice guys to deal with. Just my .02

 

[22XC Guy]

Over the course of years, I've seen one of my family members change out several barrels and or calibers, some for deer hunting, others being a laser beam for woodchucks. As for the barrels, he used several different top names and all performed excellent.

A few years back, everything was Lilja in my area, now it's changed to Brux or Broughton, plus a few others, and this being between two area gunsmiths.

I bought a Krieger from Bruno, plenty to choose from, while looking at a time frame. My latest build outcome and performance is excellent. I wouldn't hesitate changing to another top name mentioned.

Steve

 

[McKinneyMike]

I've owned Shilen, Brux, and Krieger barrels in various calibers. I have zero complaints about any of them or the way that they have shot from day one. Would not hesitate to buy any of them again, but if I had to choose, I would give Brux the first shot for a new build today. I really want to try out a Benchmark barrel though too.

 

[sailhertoo]

Bartlein gets my vote.

 

[fdshuster]

Have bought a large number of Hart's, fewer Shilen's and Krieger's, and never had a bad one of any make. Just recently got my first Bartlein and am very impressed with it. When cleaning, after a very short time and with little effort, I usually say, " Is that all there is?" My easiest barrel to clean, as verified with my Hawkeye, so I'm not just guessing on the results.

 

[Gizmo575]

I'm new to the forum, but I have a Rem700 in 22-250 that I'm going to rebarrel. Have found a good possibility at McGowen Barrels in Kalispel, MT. Anyone have experience or information about their work?? Their prices are certainly attractive, and their wait-time is shorter than most.

REW

 

[areaone]

Call Brux. It is worth the wait. The wait is usually shorter than others. Great service and great barrels .

 

[Bnhpr]

Call up brunos and they likely have that bbl in stock.

I've put 100 bbls on bolt guns in various brands, and say you generally get what you pay for.

If your competing, pay the $

If your plinking, I suggest a match grade shilen. They still cut hole on hole with a decent contour, chambering job, ammo and shooter.