Does anyone use Preferred Barrel blanks

[Ironworker]

I contacted Preferred Barrel Blanks, and they quoted me a great price of $570 for a Pre-fit barrel (Straight Tube) for my Turminus Apollo action.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I contacted Preferred Barrel Blanks, and they quoted me a great price of $570 for a Pre-fit barrel (Straight Tube) for my Turminus Apollo action.

I've got one on my Ruger Precision Rifle 6.5 PRC, which now has just over 2,000 rounds down the tube. I got it ~ 3+ years ago for ~$360 as I couldn't get a Krieger barrel that I prefer in a timely manner (a COVID issue then). Any time I get a new barrel I scope them. When I took a close look at my new PBB barrel, it looked pretty good and was happy with the lapping they did on it. . . except, there appeared to be small flaws in the metal that had me somewhat concerned, as I never saw anything like it in any of my Krieger barrels. But, as it turns out, it has been shooting quite well and I'm satisfied with its performance. Though I still prefer a Krieger barrel, which I have one sitting in my closet now, waiting to be mounted when this PBB barrel gives up the ghost .

So, just based on my one time experience with the PBB, I find it's a pretty decent barrel to have.

 

[Ironworker]

I've got one on my Ruger Precision Rifle 6.5 PRC, which now has just over 2,000 rounds down the tube. I got it ~ 3+ years ago for ~$360 as I couldn't get a Krieger barrel that I prefer in a timely manner (a COVID issue then). Any time I get a new barrel I scope them. When I took a close look at my new PBB barrel, it looked pretty good and was happy with the lapping they did on it. . . except, there appeared to be small flaws in the metal that had me somewhat concerned, as I never saw anything like it in any of my Krieger barrels. But, as it turns out, it has been shooting quite well and I'm satisfied with its performance. Though I still prefer a Krieger barrel, which I have one sitting in my closet now, waiting to be mounted when this PBB barrel gives up the ghost .

So, just based on my one time experience with the PBB, I find it's a pretty decent barrel to have.

What were these minor flaws in the metal? Tempering coloration?

 

[LuvDog]

I had 2 Tikka Pre Fits. I only put less than 100 rounds on them combined. I sold the Tikkas shortly after I got them

They both shot great though

 

[alphapygmy]

Got a 22" CF 25 Creedmoor to play with and been pretty happy. I've had minor issues with carbon barrels moving POI as they heat up during a string. This one has been pretty good.

 

[Straightshooter1]

What were these minor flaws in the metal? Tempering coloration?

I don't really know what they were and didn't bother trying to find out what they might be as they were small (the scope magnifies such things greatly) and just a few (maybe 6 - 10 of them if my memory serves well). They were like small discolored rough blotches . . . not smooth and shinny like the rests of the metal. They didn't appear to be deep, like any kind of cavity. So, I don't think it was any kind of tempering discoloration. Nothing like it showed on the outside of the polished SS barrel.

 

[Gabe22BR]

I contacted Preferred Barrel Blanks, and they quoted me a great price of $570 for a Pre-fit barrel (Straight Tube) for my Turminus Apollo action.

You didn’t get one???

Urbanrifleman got a prefit for it also-

 

[HandgunHTR]

I had Preferred make the prefit for my 338 Sherman Mega.

It shoots groups like this:



I have multiple MGM barrels for my Contenders and Encores. Match Grade Machine is the sister company to PBB. All of my MGM barrels shoot as well.

 

[Ironworker]

I had Preferred make the prefit for my 338 Sherman Mega.

It shoots groups like this:

View attachment 1676855

I have multiple MGM barrels for my Contenders and Encores. Match Grade Machine is the sister company to PBB. All of my MGM barrels shoot as well.

Thank you,very helpful

 

[Ironworker]

You didn’t get one???

Urbanrifleman got a prefit for it also-

The current bbl isn't entirely shot out yet, and the long-range varmint silhouettes matches will keep going until November.

 

[Ironworker]

Next question: I want it chambered in 6mm BRA. Wouldn't they want a couple of dummy rounds to cut the chamber? How much throat would I wish for shooting bullets from 105-115?

 

[HandgunHTR]

Next question: I want it chambered in 6mm BRA. Wouldn't they want a couple of dummy rounds to cut the chamber? How much throat would I wish for shooting bullets from 105-115?

I would say "it depends". They list 6BRA 40-degree as one of their prefit chamber offerings, but no information on neck and freebore (like they have for the Dasher and BRM), so you would probably have to call them.
That being said, they are great about trying to make what you want work. For my 338, they didn't have the reamer, but I was able to work out a deal with them to pay a bit more for them to rent the reamer. I told them what bullets I planned to shoot and they throated it accordingly. I also know a couple of folks who sent them their reamers and had PBB build their prefits that way. I am contemplating purchasing my own 7-08AI reamer and doing the same for when my current barrel gives up.