Shilen barrels!!

[kaferhaus]

Jeff, you are absolutely correct... I've been slammed by people on other boards.... by the same guys that are beating up on Remington and Winchester about their declining quality, poor choice of chamberings etc... I've gone back and pulled their posts.... hypocrites.

But say anything about a company that they perceive as "supporting" their sport.... and all the sudden, you're the problem, not that companies customer service or product.

I guess if you're a financial contributor to a supposed public forum that grants you immunity from any kind of comment that's not a glowing endorsement.

These "big name" suppliers mostly supply good products and customer service.

One bad experience if rectified doesn't keep me from continuing to patronize a company. Nor would I ever voice a complaint to the world until the vendor had had every opportunity to correct the problem or refund my money.

My "guess" is that Shilen has or had employed some machinists that were not keeping their eye on the ball... and no one was checking their work.

 

[dreever]

I've had some pretty darn good Shilen barrels. One, a 10 twist on my 6BR was as close to a Hummer as I'll ever get. I had one on a 6PPC that got me some nice wood and two "Year End Aggregate Championship" awards in VFS.

I don't think your problem is with the quality of Shilen barrels per se, I think it's with smithing work done by a Shilen employee. I feel certain Shilen will do what's necessary to rectify the situation.

Kaferhaus, perhaps an e-mail or phone call directly to Mikel Shilen could work wonders. Could be you got the same guy all three times you sent it back. I had a Dell computer problem that was very quickly solved when I sent Michael Dell a personel letter.

Butch, I still miss you as "The Barrel Man."

I know this thread started out from frustration,I've been there, and done that, but like my dear Mother always said "You get more flies with sugar than you do with vinegar" Nuff said.

Danny

 

[memilanuk]

I'm still wondering if this isn't a case of improper expectations... if you look at the description of the 'PTC' barrels on Shilen's web page... no where does it say that they are ready to screw on and shoot... Savage or otherwise. In fact, it specifically states that they are cut deep and require final fitting by a gunsmith. Granted, deep enough to have the case go flush w/ the chamber face seems like a *tad* more than the 0.010-0.015" they mention on their web page. I know Pac-Nor says essentially the same thing about their PTC barrels... but it's a 'known' situation that you can,normally, watch the new Pac-Nor barrel I have coming bite me in the a$$ on this) screw one of their barrels on and head space it yourself w/ no fitting/machining.

Where specifically did you get the impression that this was the case w/ Shilen? Simply because it said 'Pre-Threaded & Chambered'? Don't think I've ever seen anyone on the Savageshooter.com boards or elsewhere ever say they got a good custom barrel from anywhere that was ready to screw on and shoot other than a) SSS b) Pac-Nor c) Lothar-Walther. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I guess this would best be chalked up as a learning experience and get a local gunsmith to fit the barrel for you.

Good luck,

Monte

 

[NorCalMikie]

Guys. I thought the advantage of the Savage action was the fact that you didn't need a smith to do the barrel swap.
The barrel that I got fron Sharp Shooter Supply was in fact a "screw in,set the head space and go shooting" setup. Took about 15 minutes to do the job. I just figured that when you ordered a "chambered and threaded barrel" for a Savage action,you didn't need to say any more. Shouldn't make a difference who makes the barrel. It for a Savage action!
But the problem with the barrel is the fact that the case fits flush in the chamber and theres no room to remove any metal to head space the round and the threads wern't cut long enough. Still can't figure out what went wrong.

 

[DanCarey]

I wonder if it got chambered for 243 and that's why the BR case drops in. Could be its not your barrel, just got shipped to you by mistake and someone would love to have it sent to them. Whatever, Shilen has been around forever and will continue to offer some of the best service available in the rifle barrel industry.

 

[kaferhaus]

Monte, thanks for you constructive comments.

I'm not a neophyte regards actions, barrels and precision shooting.

When I ordered the barrel I spoke with "management" not gonna start dropping individuals names here as it's not relevant.

I was assured that this was a "pre fit" barrel. When I discovered the grossly short chamber and called, the same individual told me "that barrel should have never left the shop, send it back and we'll make it right immediately"

I did and at my expense. True to their word the barrel was back in my hands within a week.... 2 days to texas a day or so to do the work and 2 days back. I was initially thrilled that they'd "handled" the problem that quickly.

However, the next week I was able to shoot the rifle, groups,even while breaking in) were as good as I could hope for.... until I looked at the brass..

Called the same member of management again... he was perturbed.... not at me mind you, but sounded genuinely upset that this could have happened...

Back it went.... on my dime again. Had it back in a week as before.

Perhaps two weeks later I was able to shoot the rifle, groups were terrible tried changing seating depth, neck tension to no avail... did the ladder test bit.... 1.5" was the average for 5 shots in perfect conditions.

Called again.... "we make no guarantees as to what groups the barrel will shoot"

That's a $400 steel rod with a hole in it.

This was well over a year ago. I couldn't in good conscience sell this barrel to anyone, so it's been cut up and I've used it to make some dies with.

This is not Shilen's normal product.... i'd had excellent results with them in the past. But hundred dollar bills don't fall off trees around here.

Perhaps the guy that machined my barrel doesn't even work there any longer.... but I think it's reasonable that Shilen should have paid the return postage... and after 3 attempts to get the barrel right they should have either replaced it with a new one or refunded my money.

I purchase 3-4 barrels a year because I'm always building something.... until last year the vast majority of them were Shilens.

I've tried PacNors and they make a good barrel but in my experience a "good" PacNor is about equal to an average Shilen. I'm currently using Krieger barrels on most everything and having a semi local BR smith thread and chamber them.

It's slightly more expensive, takes about the same amount of time but I've had zero problems.... and I guarantee you this smith never lets anything out of his shop without checking it twice.

I'm sure thousands of folks have never had a problem with Shilen but I'm willing to wager there's more of us out there than some folks want to believe.

I've had dozens of emails from guys that "wont take the heat" of posting their experiences because of how they've seen others treated who dare say anything contrary about any "industry vendor" or "supporter" of the sport.

 

[memilanuk]

Actually, I wasn't referring to you... wasn't aware you attempted this w/ a Savage as the OP did.

Monte

 

[rhino]

Humm..

I feel your pain. Nothing suxs more than waiting and then when your done waiting it won't shoot.

If you like Shilen so much, why not order a blank from like Midway and have a top notch smith chamber and thread it for you.

Yes this will cost you more, but more than likely it will be done right.

Have Fred over at SSS chamber, thread, and crown it. That way you'll have more control over the reamer as well.

Thats interesting. I have found that a good pac-nor is about as good as a Shilen will get. Friend of mine had his problems with Shilen in a .243 win. I convinced him to get a Pac-nor this time. Still waiting for it to be fit by a local smith, but I can keep ya posted.

RHINOUT!

 

[NorCalMikie]

Monte. You may have come up with the answer that started the whole problem.,maybe me for thinking otherwise) When I shipped my XP 100 to them to be fitted with a rifle barrel I never gave it a second thought. They did a beautiful job. So I ordered a barrel for a Savage. I just assumed,thought) that "Threaded and Chabmered" would be a screw on. Maybe thats what I get for thinking. If they can't/won't take care of the fitting to make it a screw on, I'll have to ship it out. Thats one of the things I was trying to avoid doing. And if in fact that is the soultion to the situation, it will have to be done. Just thought it would be taken care of.
Still have to hear from them and "Eat lots of Crow". It will serve me right. The case being flush with the end of the barrel and the threads not being long enough still has me stumped. As far as chamber, the barrel was not stamped but it had been engraved next to the case. Real hard to make out but I did see 6BR. The rest was not clear enough. Even with a magnifying glass. I'll keep you guys posted, Crow eating and all! Mike.

 

[BillDorsey]

Guys, When I posted that things of this nature, that is consumer issues with a regular supplier to the sport should be handled differently and should not be seen on open forum...

Maybe what I should have said is that one shouldn't be so eager to bite the hand that feeds.

By this I mean that advertising dollars are being spent here to help keep this board online. Not just by the people in question but by a lot of advertisers, who also just happen to be suppliers to our sport. If word gets around that anybody can smear a suppliers name here for whatever the reason...before or after the fact of problem resolution...it sends a message that possibly their advertising dollars COULD be better spent elsewhere.

If the advertisers leave for the above mentioned reason, just how long could this forum or any other forum where this type of thing goes unchecked...well, just how long could it survive.

I'm not trying to be the guy in charge here, that job's already taken.

Our sport, call it what you will...the search for ultimate accuracy and the free exchange of ideas on forums like these is a blessing. Not one to be taken lightly in my opinion.

Point is that this IS a rather small sport, and most of the suppliers know each other and in some cases have for years. If word spreads...and it will...that those who frequent this board are unfriendly to suppliers in the form of detrimental comments about the products and services advertised here, they could take their dollars and go elsewhere.

I surely hope this doesn't happen here...I like this board.

 

[dreever]

Amen Bill!

 

[AlNyhus]

Couldn't agree more, Bill. :thumb:

Shilen is a class company and whatever the issue is, they will resolve it to the customers satisfaction.

 

[NorCalMikie]

The only thing is,if problems never come up then the next guy could be in the same situation. Some folks never say a thing and some folks open their mouths too soon.
In my case it might have been the latter. And we do learn from our mistakes!
What ever the outcome,I'll be sure to post the results.
I would expect the results to be favorable knowing the reputation of the company involved.
When a problem comes up, and it isn't aired, be it private or public, no one wins! And if we don't make mistakes, we arn't living.

 

[NorCalMikie]

First, Butch I got your message and thank you. It is appreciated.
First I want to apologize to the members of the forum, just in case anyone took my remarks the wrong way. They were made out of frustration and not meant to be hurtful. The folks that frequent this forum are "Outstanding"!

Now, for the rest of the story.

My wife called me at work and told me that I had a message from Shilen Rifles. And the fact that I had a "bum" weekend, she felt that it was important.
The call was from Mr. Wade Hull. I believe his title is President of the company.,I could be wrong) One of the men at the top! He even gave me his cell phone number so I could call him after hours if needed. I called Shilen,Inc. and spoke to Mr.Hull.
First off he apologized for any problems I had with the Shilen barrel. I stopped him in mid sentence and apologized for any problems that I may have caused by my remarks in the email I sent them and on the forum.,He had read the thread) He wasn't having any of that and felt that my apology wasn't needed.,we called it a draw)
He told me that the barrels for a Savage action are in fact a "screw in, set the head space and go shooting" setup!
That he had misinformed one of the guys in the shop and thats why my barrel came the way it was. He also told me that their web site needs to be changed to show that, and that they are working on it! He wanted to send a "call tag" for the barrel but I told him that I had already sent it back. I asked if the returned barrel could be corrected. His reply was no and that a "new" barrel was in the works and would be shipped out to me real soon.
This man has "real class"! A true Gentelman in every sense of the word! I couldn't find a pedastal high enough to put him on!
And my thoughts about Shilen Rifles and Mr. Wade Hull? All I can say is Thank You. And if anyone needs a barrel,you couldn't ask for a better outfit or person to deal with. A "real class act"! :thumb::thumb:

 

[NorCalMikie]

Guess what showed up today?
The big brown truck is my friend. At least they didn't loose it!
Took about 30 minutes to "screw" it on and set the head space, take it back off, put the recoil lug on,:,) and retighten it down! Didn't even think of the lug! Too busy drooling!
Got a tight spot on the forend that needs to be opened up a little. No biggie! Headed to the range and put a few rounds through it. A little more recoil than I had expected. Can't see hits at 100 yards without a spotter so some serious target work is in order. The barrel cleans up real nice. Need to tune some ammo and get down to some "real shooting"!