Jim Carmichael seems to write an awful lot about using Douglas barrels. He has built several guns using the Douglas XX barrels(which I believe designates Premium barrel). I guess if it's good enough for Jim Carmichael, it's good enough for me. It prompted me to purchase one several years ago but that rifle is long gone. It performed very well but got an offer I couldn't refuse. It has a new home. Built for a 243 win, it shot very well and very consistent.
Douglas Barrels? Thoughts Please.
- Thread starter Ketosan
- Start date
We built my 700/300 (mk13 mod0) with a Douglas XX airgauged barrel over the spec Lilja because I wanted cromoly so we could parkerize it along with all the other metal. With A191 it was a half MOA rifle out of the box. Took me about 100 rounds to find a load for heavier bullets but I'm at a point with 230 OTMs and Retumbo that is a solid .4moa shooter at 100 and moa at 1k is pretty easy as compared to my 6.5x47s. At 1250 it's well inside my 6.5s. May not sound like much for many here but it's as good as I can shoot just about anything. Had to add the suppressor to really start seeing what it does, but that's my recoil sensitivity.
Solid barrel, I'm very happy with it. Gonna suck when it's toast in a other 800-1000 rounds. I'd order another.
Solid barrel, I'm very happy with it. Gonna suck when it's toast in a other 800-1000 rounds. I'd order another.
I know this is an old subject but ill give my experience with Douglas barrels. I'll start by saying my son has one on in 25-06 AI on a Remington action and it is a tack driver. Because of his experience with that one I chose a Douglas barrel for a build about two years, this is my experience. I had a douglas fit on a new Remington action and chambered in 280 AI. I was too busy and didn't have time to start messing with and working on loads till last fall. First thing I noticed was a definite flaw in the contour of the barrel. About six inches from the muzzle is a definite bulge in the contour, from there it tapers down quickly and has no taper from there to the muzzle. I wasn't happy but thought if it shoots good I can live with it, but therein lies the next problem, it doesn't. I broke the barrel in with a careful regimen of shooting and cleaning then tried a myriad of loads. Alas! Nothing gives better than a three inch group. I then bore scoped the barrel and was dismayed to find a definite groove in one rifling obviously from the buttoning process the full length of the barrel, whether this is the accuracy problem culprit I don't know but it certainly shouldn't be that way and understand this is suppose to be a air gauged barrel. I'm taking the rifle back to the shop and have the barrel sent back to douglas. We'll see if they'll stand behind their product or not.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
cant deal with better people than douglas barrels
I put a Douglas barrel on my Ruger 77 standard weight some years ago, and am completely happy with it. I called them to ask if they had a specific break in procedure. I was talking to someone who was on the shop floor as I could hear machinery and shop noise in the background. He said, "don't get that barrel too hot, and it will treat you real good". I don't and it has. Barlow
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
I believe it would have been better to deal direct with Douglas than on a forum. I'm not doubting anything you are saying, but!
In response to the "but" in your reply, I take that as an inference that my input might not be credible. I am no newcomer to the subject of rifle barrels. I'm seventy two and have been shooting since I was six years old. I have also done a lot of rifle building myself and rebarreled many mauser actions myself with good results. This is a forum for discussion about a product and should reflect all experiences. I'm not attempting to diss on Douglas I'm just relating my experience. If Douglas stands behind their products and I'm happy then I'll post a following up stating such, fact is my old Remington 700 that's served me so reliably for fifty years has burned the throat to the point it needs a new tube and If Douglas makes me happy then I'll go back to them for that also. Enough said?
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Whatever Cliff. A pet peeve of mine and a few others is people posting about an issue without visiting with the mfg first. You are new to the forum and we don't know you. You may have done a rifle or two and nobody said you couldn't chamber a barrel. You have your feelings on your sleeve. Reread my post again, I didn't doubt you, just your method.
By the way, I hope that you never get as old as I am. Don't read that wrong. I will just always want to remain 5 years older than you.
So you want me to post ONLY glowing reviews and not discuss the hurdles one might encounter getting from point A to point B, got it, so much for open discussion. By the way it's more like a few dozen rifles but I realize I'll never be as well versed on the subject as some.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
Cliff, you need to reread my posts. It seems if I got on you the World would come to the end.
"So you want me to post ONLY glowing reviews"
Where did I say that or suggest it? You need a chill pill young feller.
"So you want me to post ONLY glowing reviews"
Where did I say that or suggest it? You need a chill pill young feller.
jghoghunter
Gold $$ Contributor
The only thing anyone is saying is that you should check with the manufacture FIRST. Then you are more than welcome and encouraged to give us the whole story whether its good or bad. Thats all that is being said.
When you call Douglas, ask to speak to Stan.
He is a great guy..
Lucky Shooter
Gold $$ Contributor
Just a random thought but don't we have Forum Behavior rules
that discourage such negative posts ?
A. Weldy
that discourage such negative posts ?
A. Weldy
+1 isn't Douglas only the oldest barrel maker in the US??
Last edited:
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Stan is the man. There may be some customer service as good as douglas but none are any better. Stan and the owner tim have been taking care of folks way longer than i can remember. They truly have the old school customer service mentality.
I have known the folks at Douglas barrels for MANY years now having grown up basically just over the hill from their shop. I have used many of their barrels over the years and would not hesitate one second to recommend them to anyone for one of the finest precision AR barrels available. I have gotten them straight from Douglas as well as from other highly regarded barrel magicians like CLE and they just plain SHOOT!
You won't be disappointed.
You won't be disappointed.
I have no doubt Douglas will stand behind their product. You cannot stay in business, in this day and age, without taking good care of your customers. Rest assured you are in good hands.
Paul
Paul
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