Gunsmith or barrel maker?

[Glenn Powell]

I was wondering if the barrel makers are proficient enough in there rebarrel work for .5 moa accuracy? My theory is, they make them so they should know how to screw them on right. Any thoughts, or experience on this would be helpful. I really don't think I could tell the difference between, .24 and .34 groups, but knowing the rifle is capable of those would go a long way in my learning how to shoot consistent bug holes.

 

[Preacher]

It really takes more than a good barrel maker and smith to allow someone to shoot bugholes..
Lots of trigger time and learning to read the wind are just as important to shoot bugholes as a good barrel maker and smith....
Lots more to it than just screwing a barrel on right...

 

[spclark]

First off, welcome to the Forum!

I think ALL the current bunch of popular barrel makers are capable of turning out products that, when fitted to a solid action and used by a practiced shooter using high-quality ammuntion loaded specifically for that rifle, are capable of at least 1/2 MOA accuracy & probably much better.

As for barrel makers doing the fitting? My take would be most are less skilled at this than well-established gunsmiths. Each task is highly specialized & where tooling and experienced hands come together the results are better than where the fitting part is secondary to the primary operation.

Having a barrel maker fit a new barrel might end up a pleasant experience but for my money I'm more confident having each specialist do their best on my project.

 

[Glenn Powell]

Thanks, glad to be here. I have a lot to learn! But don't we all? A little back ground on my project, I have a stiller precision predator action and want a good barrel job done. Gunsmiths scare me, had a bad experience, and ther is not one within 1000 miles. I did have a good experience with Heart barrels, but that was a hunting rig, and not a precision rig. I want a long range rifle that I know shoots better than I shoot, you won't learn to shoot consistent bug holes whith a rifle that is not capable of that kind of accuracy.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

First off, welcome to the Forum!

I think ALL the current bunch of popular barrel makers are capable of turning out products that, when fitted to a solid action and used by a practiced shooter using high-quality ammuntion loaded specifically for that rifle, are capable of at least 1/2 MOA accuracy & probably much better.

As for barrel makers doing the fitting? My take would be most are less skilled at this than well-established gunsmiths. Each task is highly specialized & where tooling and experienced hands come together the results are better than where the fitting part is secondary to the primary operation.

Having a barrel maker fit a new barrel might end up a pleasant experience but for my money I'm more confident having each specialist do their best on my project.

Well put. I agree, and with lead times on good barrels being what they are, and plenty of good smiths that specialize in barrel chambering work, I say let them do what they are there for...making world class barrels.

 

[spclark]

There are exceptional gunsmiths who regularly frequent this forum, others who don't (for reasons known only to them).

I've not yet done business with a 'smith I've chosen face-to-face (for bolt guns; I'm fortunate to live 'fairly' close - 120 miles - to one of our sport's well-recognized experts with gas guns) & I've yet to get work back via UPS that's not an exceptionally fine job, exactly as ordered and for an agreed-upon-in-advance, fair price.

There's nothing preventing you from asking here for recommendations. After all we share a common affinity for craftsmanship and accuracy & the wealth of experiences available for nothing more than a ? here is second to none!

 

[TRECustom]

+1 on spclark's advice.

You have a Private Message.

Tom

 

[butchlambert]

I will disagree somewhat with spclark on the barrel makers chambering guys having less experience. I know three of the reputable barrel makers have guys that chamber all day every day. These guys have much more experience than 99% of the gunsmiths. I did not say they were better or worse, just more experience. The barrel makers are usually more expensive.
I've been doing my own for about 15yrs, but have had excellent luck with Seeley Masker, Billy Stevens, Harold Broughton, Pete Pieper, Dwight Scott, Mike Bryant, David Christman, Speedy Gonzales, Clifton Rue, James Anderson, Clarence Hammonds, Sam Lair, Jim Borden, Shilen Rifles, and surely a couple others. Man, have I spent money having barrels chambered. 3 of these guys are no longer with us, but the others gave me a great job.