Just how good are Douglas Barrels ?

[troupe]

I have just picked up a old Rem 40x repeater with no barrel. I raise the question about Douglas simply because I would like to bring this old action back to what it was. It is early enough that it would have come from the Custom Shop with a chrome moly barrel and not stainless. Being a old W.Va. boy, I have always known of Douglas Barrels. The reason I am asking about Douglas, I know that they offer match grade barrels in CM. Just how good are they compared to Bartlein, Krieger, Brux, Schneider and Hart.

Just wanting the top accuracy from a CM barrel that this old gun produced new. The whole barreled action will have to be blued after completed. The easy way to go would just get a SS match barrel installed, but it did not come that way back in the early 60's. CM match barrels are limited. I have searched and have heard good and bad about Douglas. Like any barrel, it could be a good barrel, or wasted money. I can't afford the wasted money route. Any thoughts on the Douglas barrels would be appreciated. Plus, being a old W.Va. boy, there is a sense of loyalty to Douglas, but I want the best accuracy for the money I have to spend. I am a working class fellow that is now retired, so the funds are limited.

Thanks in advanced,

Tom

 

[SQ54]

I have Kriegers and Douglas barrels. They are equal. I’ve used Douglas for more than 35 years and their barrels are as good as anybody and I have never had a bad one. All of mine have been premium air gauged CM. Their turn around time is about two weeks (or less - I’ve gotten one in 5 days). This is the 5 day barrel: Rem #3 contour, threaded, chambered, cut to length and crowned. It shoots the 155 SMK (2156) or 150 GK (2125) into 1/2 moa or less.

The Remington action was a NIB bare action. It was not blueprinted nor is it bedded in the McMillan stock. The stock does have pillars installed by McMillan. I did change the trigger to a Timney Calvin Elite set at 2 lbs. Sadly, this configuration of the Calvin Elite is no longer available.

 

[Fuj]

I remember a time when you either shot Douglas or a
Hart. Shillen had not been weaned yet.

 

[tj66]

I have several rifles with Douglas barrels now. Great people to deal with!!

 

[Stan Taylor]

Just go ahead and ship the barreled action to Douglas attention Stan and we have an employee who has got blueing tanks he will blue the barrel action an you will be in business in about 3 weeks .

 

[Preacher]

All my old douglas barrels shoot pretty darn good..

 

[DirtySteve]

Get a premium air gauged barrel and buy with confidence...

 

[LarryDScott]

I had 4 20Tacticals built using Douglas barrels, All shot really well
w/the same load. There were several PDs that might say they shot
to well. LDS

 

[NorCalMikie]

Plus, being a old W.Va. boy, there is a sense of loyalty to Douglas, but I want the best accuracy for the money I have to spend. I am a working class fellow that is now retired, so the funds are limited.

Other than being from W Va, I think most all of us think the same. Get the best bang for our $$s.
Douglas has been around for how long??? And has produced how many barrels?? And Douglas barrels have shot how many bug holes?? Havn't even got to the SS Match barrels yet.
Had an XP 100 rebarreled (longer) and it was KILLER accurate. Didn't really need a new barrel but, it was something I "had to have".
And if I remember correctly, it was CM and blued to match the action. Me? wouldn't even hesitate to get another Douglas barrel.
It's up to you to spend your $$ on what and where you want. Douglas in CM works for me.

 

[dragman]

They are as good as any! I have had HUNDREDS and hundreds of barrels and guns setups with all the barrel makers. I have had 2 with legit bad barrels and neither was a Douglas.
Ship it to Stan he will handle it for you!

 

[10XSHOOTER]

We shot Douglas CM barrels on our match M-14's in the Navy. Made Master shooting one!

 

[6MMsteve]

I got a 220 swift douglas that has shot a .108 group and shoot's .5 and under very often, it's a swift so sometimes they get crazy

 

[NorCalMikie]

Funny how the "mind set" is, If it isn't on "THE LIST" it ain't worth SQUAT??
You folks with THAT mind set, keep thinking that way so they'll be less wait time for a Douglas re barrel.

 

[bobm]

This good....

 

[Stan Taylor]

This good....

Congratulations I have done fairly well with those old Douglas barrels as well.

 

[troupe]

Well, I think I have found my answer. I want to thank everyone for their replies. No I will need to figure out who I can send it to for the barrel work and re-blue. I would like to return her back to as close to when she came from the Custom Shop. Being barreled with a Douglas would be a honor for me. I am a proud supporter of the West Virginia Mountaineers Shooting Teams. Any suggestions for the re-blue and barrel work would be appreciated.

 

[Stan Taylor]

Well, I think I have found my answer. I want to thank everyone for their replies. No I will need to figure out who I can send it to for the barrel work and re-blue. I would like to return her back to as close to when she came from the Custom Shop. Being barreled with a Douglas would be a honor for me. I am a proud supporter of the West Virginia Mountaineers Shooting Teams. Any suggestions for the re-blue and barrel work would be appreciated.

If you decide to send it to Douglas I will arrange for it to be blued for you.

 

[troupe]

Thank you Mr. Taylor. I sent you a PM and I have decided to follow your recommendations. Douglas it is. My old 40X repeater will be like new. I wish I knew what year it was made. I know it was in the early to mid 60's, the bolt is swept back, but unlike the thicker ones of today. It is very thin where the handle meets the knob.

 

[troupe]

This is the best forum going for the most knowledgeable folks.

 

[tjtjwdad]

I've shot their barrels along with Krieger, Obermeyer and a few others. In my target shooting days I preferred single point cut barrels over the button cut barrels for longevity reasons. Otherwise, I saw no difference.