Poll for Barrel Manufacture
- Thread starter Hunter55
- Start date
I've had a bunch of Lilja, and two or three each of Douglas, Hart, Krieger and Shilen. All have shot well under MOA and all but two under .5 MOA (I got rid of those two). A custom barrel on a 700 that doesn't shoot bona fide .5 MOA is a failure to me.
Lilja has always been my go to. So if only picking one, that might be my choice. The one I'm trying to get chambered now is a Brux though. But Hart, Krieger, Shilen are all premium. Douglas and Shaw I think are not as premium but also not as expensive. Never had a Proof or known anyone that has, so no idea on them.
- DAA
Lilja has always been my go to. So if only picking one, that might be my choice. The one I'm trying to get chambered now is a Brux though. But Hart, Krieger, Shilen are all premium. Douglas and Shaw I think are not as premium but also not as expensive. Never had a Proof or known anyone that has, so no idea on them.
- DAA
alf
Well-known member
You forgot three that should be included in the poll, Brux, Bartlein, and Rock Creek.
When absolute accuracy is on the line, Bartlein, Brux, and Krieger are in the front of my line, and the choice comes down to who has the bore, twist, & contour I want in stock.
I shot Benchrest competition for over 35 years, and set two 1000 yard IBS/World Records with a Krieger, so my favoritism leans that way.
It wouldn't be too far out of line to think most good barrels can out shoot the person pulling the trigger.....
When absolute accuracy is on the line, Bartlein, Brux, and Krieger are in the front of my line, and the choice comes down to who has the bore, twist, & contour I want in stock.
I shot Benchrest competition for over 35 years, and set two 1000 yard IBS/World Records with a Krieger, so my favoritism leans that way.
It wouldn't be too far out of line to think most good barrels can out shoot the person pulling the trigger.....
My #1 choice the last few years has been Bartlein but before that it was Hart and Krieger with Lilja being a distant third. Others I've used and still have are Brux, ACE, Proof, Broughton, Rock Creek and Shilen. Benchmark makes a very good barrel as does ACE which is a barrel company I didn't even know existed up till a couple years and their shop is literally only a few minutes away from me and I didn't even know it.
I generally prefer single point cut rifled barrels over button rifled barrels but some of the very best shooting rifles I own have Hart barrels on them which are button rifled.
alf said "It wouldn't be too far out of line to think most good barrels can out shoot the person pulling the trigger....." and I'd tend to agree with him. I think there are no less then ten what I'd call premium quality barrel makers you could us and not be able to shoot the difference between any of them.
I generally prefer single point cut rifled barrels over button rifled barrels but some of the very best shooting rifles I own have Hart barrels on them which are button rifled.
alf said "It wouldn't be too far out of line to think most good barrels can out shoot the person pulling the trigger....." and I'd tend to agree with him. I think there are no less then ten what I'd call premium quality barrel makers you could us and not be able to shoot the difference between any of them.
SupressYourself
Well-known member
I think any list that doesn't include Bartlein, Benchmark, and Brux is incomplete.
Check this out: Best Custom Rifle Barrel: What The Pros Use
Although, keep in mind some "popularity" may be the result of sponsorships and other influence.
Check this out: Best Custom Rifle Barrel: What The Pros Use
Although, keep in mind some "popularity" may be the result of sponsorships and other influence.
BBK
Well-known member
Sub moa at what range? Moa at 100 is a lot easier than moa at 500.
I mean as a blanket statement, all aftermarket barrels will shoot MOA. Just need to find the right bullet and be at the correct range to do it. Heck i dont own any gun that isnt “MOA” (at 100yd), even my bear creek uppers are… just need to find the right bullet and speed for it.
I guess my vote is kreiger
I mean as a blanket statement, all aftermarket barrels will shoot MOA. Just need to find the right bullet and be at the correct range to do it. Heck i dont own any gun that isnt “MOA” (at 100yd), even my bear creek uppers are… just need to find the right bullet and speed for it.
I guess my vote is kreiger
William Suter
Well-known member
I have a Rock barrel on my 308 and its super accurate, but choosing from the list probably Krieger. If Shaw and Douglas are on the list, I would also consider Wilson. I've read of good accuracy reviews from WIlson barrels on Accurate Shooter site and I have a WIlson on my Sako Vixen that shoots very good also.
AWS
Custom Accessory Maker & Retired PM Staff
I won the PM Egg Shoot with a Shaw 222 Rem barrel and tied for first at a different Egg Shoot with a Shaw barrel I rechambered from 6x47 to 6mm-204. A PacNor 6x45mm is one the of my most accurate and they built my 25-204. My little Criterion 20P is awesome. Criterion 222 Rem barrel so far shoots with the Shaw 50 shot aggregates in the low .8 desert range, no shots thrown out but it is much easier on brass and I have higher hopes for this one.
Cons,
The Shaw 222 Rem barrel. I necked sized the brass for years, I started to FL size brass and found the chamber was over sized to the point I thought I had a bad FL die, the 2nd set was no different, so it got the Criterion.
20P X-calliber barrel with inexpensive Speer 39gr bullets it is hovering around 1" at 200 yards, BUT I've had a real problem with a carbon ring forming quickly to the point of pushing bullets back into the case in as few as 20 rounds. I think the problem is a long neck in the chamber and I've let the brass grow .01 beyond recommended trim length and might add to that. I also changed powder and seem too be getting the results I'm hoping for.
I personally think barrel manufacturing has come a long way in the past 50 years. We no longer have a guy with a micrometer bent over a machine making barrels.
While I didn't grow up in the gun industry my dad was one of the top machinest in the nation featured on the cover of the machines trade magazine. I worked with him for a short time as a crane operator in the shop, I got to see the first tape controlled lathes and later CNC machines come into the shop. It is getting hard to find a bad barrel and standards have soared since we used to keep a 1" group folded up in our wallets to brag on.
Cons,
The Shaw 222 Rem barrel. I necked sized the brass for years, I started to FL size brass and found the chamber was over sized to the point I thought I had a bad FL die, the 2nd set was no different, so it got the Criterion.
20P X-calliber barrel with inexpensive Speer 39gr bullets it is hovering around 1" at 200 yards, BUT I've had a real problem with a carbon ring forming quickly to the point of pushing bullets back into the case in as few as 20 rounds. I think the problem is a long neck in the chamber and I've let the brass grow .01 beyond recommended trim length and might add to that. I also changed powder and seem too be getting the results I'm hoping for.
I personally think barrel manufacturing has come a long way in the past 50 years. We no longer have a guy with a micrometer bent over a machine making barrels.
While I didn't grow up in the gun industry my dad was one of the top machinest in the nation featured on the cover of the machines trade magazine. I worked with him for a short time as a crane operator in the shop, I got to see the first tape controlled lathes and later CNC machines come into the shop. It is getting hard to find a bad barrel and standards have soared since we used to keep a 1" group folded up in our wallets to brag on.
Sgt_Mike
Well-known member
I'll echo Alf here but I would have Brux in front of Bartlein, Krieger is a solid choice as well. Although they are shoulder to shoulder, lead time would be the actual determining factor. IMO those three are probably the best choice to get to your stated objective.
.25 MOA is what all the competitive shooters are seeking, they order at least two barrels at a time, chambered consecutively. And then install test, and select the best. the other is a back up.
I could go on for hours about chasing the white rabbit, but those three "should" give you the greatest chance of your objective. Any barrel manufacturer you listed in the poll has a chance to get the .5 MOA. The only difference is probability. Single point cut will be the easiest choice as the process has greater control than a button pulled which both methods can produce a extremely accurate barrel.
But if I just had to "have" a set MOA I would order at least two barrels. I don't do that anymore (competitive shooting so I don't do that process) , now I just order one and go.
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crapshoot
Well-known member
Exactly what I have on order except 24", fluted and threaded.
Sending it all to SSS to have the action and lugs squared and assembled. Mine is a SAVAGE BA STEALTH that I use for a local lr varmint match. MOA targets 800-1200 yrds.
I’ll tell u from experience don’t cheap out on the barrel. And technically the less than stellar barrels are the same price as the GOOD barrels. Buy a bartlien brux krieger and you will save yourself in the long run. I did just get a muller works barrel to replace a piece of garbage x caliber barrel. And it shoots absolutely amazing. I had a Lilia that shot great but took a bit to get where I wanted it same with a couple Douglas barrels. But my bartlien and brux and krieger were pretty much dump some powder in them stuff in a bullet and they shot.
Sgt_Mike
Well-known member
@popper43
No shame in a McGown, although would not be my first choice. They can make a extremely well made barrel.
Years ago I had acquired a spare M14 barrel (m1A or whatever one wishes to call the rifle), and had a spare receiver. The manufacturer was Wilson, at that time I wasn't a Wilson fanboy. I installed it and finished the build which gave me another rifle to try on the HP game I was shooting years ago, The barrel wasn't as good as the Kreiger that was on the other M14 receiver. How did it stack up? Way better than my expectation, usually I would only drop a point or two at the 600 yard line vs the Kreiger barrel. Across the rest of the course I could not tell a difference. Honestly it could have been I had more faith in the Kreiger barrel, which at that time I was a Kreiger fanboy.
The moral is usually the majority of barrel manufacturers produce barrels that outshot /more accurate than me. I've never ran a McGowen although I've heard really good things about them. And I suspect if I did it would be a favorable experience. But after I tried Brux, like @greengt88 and @Damon Dog noted above I was sold as their posts echo my experience with the brand. But yes I would try a McGown in a heart beat, so no I don't think your the oddball. but if funds are tight ( and they usually are my guess would to Brux first, then Bartlein, then Krieger, usually boils down to lead time) And when funds are tight I'll generally lean opposite of most as I know it's one shot. I gravitate to the best quality I can find and actually spend more at first but save in the long run as I'm not looking for a replacement.
Just my opinion.
No shame in a McGown, although would not be my first choice. They can make a extremely well made barrel.
Years ago I had acquired a spare M14 barrel (m1A or whatever one wishes to call the rifle), and had a spare receiver. The manufacturer was Wilson, at that time I wasn't a Wilson fanboy. I installed it and finished the build which gave me another rifle to try on the HP game I was shooting years ago, The barrel wasn't as good as the Kreiger that was on the other M14 receiver. How did it stack up? Way better than my expectation, usually I would only drop a point or two at the 600 yard line vs the Kreiger barrel. Across the rest of the course I could not tell a difference. Honestly it could have been I had more faith in the Kreiger barrel, which at that time I was a Kreiger fanboy.
The moral is usually the majority of barrel manufacturers produce barrels that outshot /more accurate than me. I've never ran a McGowen although I've heard really good things about them. And I suspect if I did it would be a favorable experience. But after I tried Brux, like @greengt88 and @Damon Dog noted above I was sold as their posts echo my experience with the brand. But yes I would try a McGown in a heart beat, so no I don't think your the oddball. but if funds are tight ( and they usually are my guess would to Brux first, then Bartlein, then Krieger, usually boils down to lead time) And when funds are tight I'll generally lean opposite of most as I know it's one shot. I gravitate to the best quality I can find and actually spend more at first but save in the long run as I'm not looking for a replacement.
Just my opinion.
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