Shilen vs CBI for 6 BR build

[Rich S]

I'm in the process of building a Savage 6BR. I'm wanting to set it up for 400 to 600 yd shooting want to use the heavier VLD bullets. The barrels I'm considering that are readily available are a 30" CBI or a Shilen in 28" or 30". All three are 1/8 twist with a 0.104 free bore. The cost is about the same. Any opinions on the barrel choice.

Also for the Shilen I'm not sure if it is the match grade or select match grade. I realize the select match grade would be better. Any opinions on how much difference there is between the two grades Shilen offers? Shilen publishes their tolerances on their web site. I didn't see this data for the CBI. Anyone know how they compare?

 

[savageshooter86]

Either one. My current 308 match rifle has a CBI and shoot great right out the gate. Had a Shilen before and did well. I think my CBI is easier to clean and I like it

CBI is less money

In a pre fit, can't go wrong with either

Check out Northland shooters. Jim will take care of you

 

[jonbearman]

I am now leaning towards CBI because they actually care if you have problems with one of their barrels. I don't know whether you go on savageshootersforum.com or not but the criterion rep has been on there to fix any problem you have in a timely manner.

 

[butchlambert]

Definitely the Shilen. I doubt that most can shoot well enough to tell the difference in the match or select match. The CBI is a good barrel.

 

[redrockranger]

Bravo , Butch
I've waited years for someone to point this out. Same for the argument of button or cut rifling.

Thanks

 

[22DASHER]

I don't have any experience with CBI but both of my Shilen barrels shoot very very well... I did get the select match barrels but it probably wasn't necessary.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I have a 6mm SS Shilen barrel with ratchet rifling, 1 in 8 twist, match grade (not select match). Heavy contour, 27" long, mounted on a trued 722 action with Jewell trigger, Bobby Hart stock, and chambered in 6mm AR Turbo 40.

That Shilen ratchet rifle barrel will shoot the lights out with anything Ive put in it so far. Tried 3 powders with various weights all using 105gr Berger Target VLDs. Doesn't seem to matter what powder charge weight I use. Still in the early stages of testing, but so far haven't had a single group at 100 yards stray outside 1/2 MOA.

Also have a CM Shilen on a 6.5 Rem Mag. It became a 1/3 MOA rifle at 100 yards after only testing 3 different loads. Still have to do long range testing and tuning

Have another CM Shilen on a 6.5x55 Swede. On a good day it will easily print groups around 1/2" at 200 yards.

No experience with CBI, so can't comment there.

 

[smoking-brass]

I have 3 CBI barrels 6mmbr.....6.5x47 lapua and a 6.5x284 all three shot under 3/4" @ 300 yards! I use them for f class shoots ....oh ...they are on savage target actions . Go with CBI barrels from Northland Shooters Supply!

 

[dantiff2]

This is most likely just a pissing match. Unless you have someone who has or had both barrels to compare one against the other it's going to be like a Ford and Chevy debate. I have no knowledge of CBI's quality but can personally say that my Shilen Select Match is very good quality. It took exactly zero break in shots and started grouping every load right out of the box. It cleans up with minimal and I mean very minimal effort even after a few thousand rounds. I would be more than inclined to try a CBI next just to get first hand experience of there quality. I agree that the shooter will likely not be able to tell the difference because most of the barrels will shoot better than the guy with his booger picker on the fun switch

Dan

 

[savageshooter86]

I've had both in 308win. Both shot great. CBI cleans better in my opinion

 

[butchlambert]

As noted earlier, the longer the thread, it goes down hill quickly. Surprised this one has been decent.

 

[jonbearman]

I have both shilens and cbi and mcgowen, kreiger,hart,bartlein etc. But for prefits the cbi seems to shoot quite well and if you are not satisfied they do stand behind their product. CBI monitors some of the forums including savageshooters and they chime in to help.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I have only one CBI, and have had numerous Shilen's. CBI has shot better and cleaned easier. Still have Shilen's, just not screwed on at this time.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

This group was fired from my custom 6.5 Remington Magnum sporter hunting rifle at 300 yards in the prone position on the ground (small dirt hill) using a Harris bipod. The barrel is the cheapest blank Shilen offers. It is Chome Moly, (no hand lapping) and is a #5 contour, 1 in 8 twist, finished at 26" long. Paid $150 for it as a "blank" on MidwayUSA then had my gunsmith contour and chamber it. Barrel is mounted on a trued Thompson Center Venture 3 lug action with the factory stock and trigger. Action and barrel were bedded by me using Devon Steel Puddy. Group was shot using a new Zeiss HD5 5-25X50mm scope set on 25X.
If a plain Jane CM Shilen can do this from a bipod, imagine what their high grade SS hand lapped barrels can do in the hands of a skilled shooter with a nice BR setup. This group is all the better I can do from a prone field hunting position using a Harris bipod. The gun will probably shoot much better than me.

 

[Rich S]

All,

Thanks for the reply's.

I ended up with the Shilen. Was planning on getting the CBI but Jim did not have the length I wanted in stock. He had the Shilen in stock. I decided to save a couple of months of waiting. I just received it yesterday and have to say it looks great. Hope to have it on the bench in a couple of weeks. I purchased the action, stock barrel, trigger, lug and barrel nut from Jim at Northland. He was a pleasure doing business with him.

 

[GrocMax]

There aren't any 'bad' choices out there. Every once in awhile you might get one that ain't quite right, but everybody makes those on occasion.

 

[jonbearman]

Keep your eye on xcaliber as I have read a lot of reports on them as well as talk to people currently using them and they shoot real well. There is a fella on here with one of their 20 cal barrels that shoots incredible. I think they may be the next brux so to speak. In the next couple of years we will see how these guys do making barrels and I am confident they will grow to a major supplier for aftermarket barrels.

 

[Rich S]

A couple of my buddies have 3 of the xcalibers being chambered now. They got a very good deal. They went in on a group order on this forum. They both have a couple of the CBIs now. It will be interesting to see how they compare.