| Posted: Thu Mar 17th, 2005 02:16 AM |
|
1st Post |
Timberghozt
Board Founder
| Joined: | Fri Feb 11th, 2005 |
| Location: | Texas USA |
| Posts: | 6792 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | 300 Winchester Magnum ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Who is your favorite barrel maker and if you would,why do you like them so much?
I have never tried Krieger,Lilja, Lothar Walther or Hart barrels so I can`t comment on them.I`ve shot barrels wearing Douglas,Shilen and McGowan tubes.I don`t know if McGowan is even in business anymore.
I liked the Douglas chambered in 6MM Rem I was shooting and they price fairly.
I shot a 308 Norma mag wearing a Shilen barrel quite a bit and it was a superb barrel.More accurate than necessary for a hunting rifle but Im sure the smith who built it had something to do with that..
I`d say with what I know.I`d go the Shilen route for a hunting barrel.
How about you guys into long range target barrels???Whose barrel do you prefer on your rifles?
____________________
"He who fights with monsters might take care, lest he thereby become a monster; For if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - F.Nietzche
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 18th, 2005 09:01 PM |
|
2nd Post |
macca
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | Sat Feb 26th, 2005 |
| Location: | Australia |
| Posts: | 61 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Trueflite out of New Zealand make excellent target barrels.Tobler and MAb (both Aussie) also do a great job.
I like Lilja and Krieger out of the US.Nothing shabby with Shilen either.
I have found latley the barrel whilst it is importent is not quite as importent as the bloke who cuts the chamber and neck and fits it to your rifle.If he's off so is the rifle.
Macca
____________________
don't let the bastards grind you down
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 19th, 2005 01:06 AM |
|
3rd Post |
Timberghozt
Board Founder
| Joined: | Fri Feb 11th, 2005 |
| Location: | Texas USA |
| Posts: | 6792 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | 300 Winchester Magnum ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
I have found latley the barrel whilst it is importent is not quite as importent as the bloke who cuts the chamber and neck and fits it to your rifle.If he's off so is the rifle.
Roger that macca.. As Fifty stated on the BSB , a bad backyard smith can ruin a quality barrel...
____________________
"He who fights with monsters might take care, lest he thereby become a monster; For if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - F.Nietzche
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 19th, 2005 03:45 PM |
|
4th Post |
bea175
Board Founder
| Joined: | Sun Feb 13th, 2005 |
| Location: | Kingsport & Graysontown, VA, Tennessee USA |
| Posts: | 2197 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | 270 Win ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
I have used more Shilen Barrels than all of the other put together. I have two rifles with McMillian Barrels and they are outstanding. The last rifle i had built i used a PacNor . Like Timber said, it the man who cuts the chamber and screws it to your action and that is what makes the difference. Start with any good barrel maker and find a smith who knows how to build accurate rifles and you will have a shooter , no matter what brand of barrel you use.
____________________
 
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 23rd, 2005 04:30 AM |
|
5th Post |
HollandNut
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | Sat Nov 12th, 2005 |
| Location: | Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 77 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | big bore dangerous game | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
The only custom I have at the moment is a Douglas XXX on a M98 .. Have tried most others in various contours .. Mine is rather heavy with a .650 muzzle , but I like heavy barrels ..
Like they said the crank cranking the reamers is the key .. Not much into varmints or competition anymore , so minute of nats butt isnt important to me ..
Jack
____________________
My Goal In Life Is To Be As Good Of A Person As My Dog Thinks I Am
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 23rd, 2005 02:32 PM |
|
6th Post |
sglshotkw
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | Sat Jul 9th, 2005 |
| Location: | Bloomington, Minnesota |
| Posts: | 83 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
So far I have had good luck with Douglas, I do have a PacNor being chabered right now and have heard nothing but good about thier barrels.
Once again I have to agree the person making the chamber makes all the differents, all my chambers have not been cut but have been made through EDM technology and I can say enough bout how accurate and well done they are.
____________________
KW
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 22nd, 2005 04:26 AM |
|
7th Post |
snuffer358
member
| Joined: | Thu Dec 15th, 2005 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 4 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
does anybody have a 308 norma mag? i shoot a 358 norma mag and thought about having a 308 norma built by christensen arms in utah. does anybody know if christensen would be good or is there a better custom maker. thanks for the input. snuffer358.
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 22nd, 2005 01:33 PM |
|
8th Post |
Texasdoc
Banned
| Joined: | Tue Apr 5th, 2005 |
| Location: | LaGrange, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1415 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | No | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I shoot factory ammo | | My favorite chambering is:: | the rifle I paid for with all the money I ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
its a toss up here I like Lother Walther and Shilen for there long life as some of you know I have a 300 win mag that has over 7600 thru it and to this day it still groups in the 0.7 range its a Lother Walther L-50 barrel that was installed back in 1999 and is still putting critters down.
the oldest daughter's gun has a Shilen and its a tack driver.So I would have to say my vote is for both.
Doc
____________________
Guard your wallet when I`m around.I steal from everyone I can and lie at every word I speak..I am the ultimate scumbag lying piece of crap.
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 25th, 2005 05:23 PM |
|
9th Post |
219zipper
member
| Joined: | Thu Dec 15th, 2005 |
| Location: | Colona, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 18 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
I have a Montana riflesmiths bbl on my custom 219zipper bolt gun.. my gunsmith says its as good or better than a lilja at less cost
there is a pix of th3e gun and a group it shot at http://www.martincustom.com/index.htm?id=-1241672657 usin my reloads
now she is wearin a swift 8x34 scope and a harris bipod,leopold rings, stock is a boyd bros, action is a charles dailey mauser long throw bolt,
total cost appx $1300.00 start to finish
Last edited on Sun Dec 25th, 2005 05:26 PM by 219zipper
____________________
Watch this space for a witty siggy
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 15th, 2006 01:31 AM |
|
10th Post |
72coupe
HB certified Master Handloading and Ballistics advisor
| Joined: | Sun Jun 11th, 2006 |
| Location: | Iowa Park, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2016 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
I have a new PacNor 3 groove barrel for an AR. I didn't break it in or any other procedure but after 350 rounds I have not gotten even the slightest hint of copper fouling out of it. I am very impressed.
I have worn out 4 Krieger barrels (10,000 rounds each) a bushmaster barrell (15,000 rounds) and a Colt chrome lined (25,000 rounds) and none of the had this good a start.
Accuracy is better than the others by a small amount. The Kriegers are very accurate and have short throats that extend barrel life.
____________________
Reloader since 1969.
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 18th, 2006 05:30 AM |
|
11th Post |
Black-tailed Bandit
Handloading Master
| Joined: | Thu Feb 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Oregon USA |
| Posts: | 557 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
I have not used an aftermarket barrel, yet Hopefully I'll get to in the next yer or so. From the reserch taht I have done and the advice that I have gotten from a well known local gunsmith Pac-nor is the way to go. I'm going to have a .284 win made on a 1908 Brazilian Mauser.
____________________
my pics 
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 18th, 2006 12:50 PM |
|
12th Post |
72coupe
HB certified Master Handloading and Ballistics advisor
| Joined: | Sun Jun 11th, 2006 |
| Location: | Iowa Park, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2016 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
To Black Tail Bandit.
I have used Federal Arms (Star Barrels), Douglas, Krieger, Hart & the new Pac Nor.
The Star and the Douglas have been on 22-250 so I only get about 3200 rounds on them before they begin to Key Hole. The Hart & Krieger in 308 I get over 5000 rounds with good accuracy on them. The Kriegers in 223 give about 10,000 rounds of better than moa accuracy. At least in my limited experience.
____________________
Reloader since 1969.
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 24th, 2006 05:53 AM |
|
13th Post |
Fiftydriver
Super Moderator
| Joined: | Thu Feb 10th, 2005 |
| Location: | Fort Shaw, Montana USA |
| Posts: | 152 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | 338 Allen Magnum, for today anyway!!!!! ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Tops in the market are Lilja, Krieger, Hart, Broughton and Rock. There are a few other good ones but these are the major players that consistantly put out the best barrels.
You get what you pay for in most cases with a match grade barrel. If you pay for one of the above brands of barrels, you will get your moneies worth easily. If you buy a lower priced barrel you may get a shooter, you may get a barrel no better then most factory pipes, the extra cost is what you pay for consistantly accurate barrels.
I am at +200 Lilja barrel fittings in the last 3 years and I have yet to have one that would not consistantly average under 1/2" groups for three shots at 100 yards and many dozens that would play with that mythical Honest 1/4" range.
Better yet, most will hold 1/4 moa at 500 yards. That is why you by expensive barrels. If you are happy with minute of whitetail at 200 yards, any barrel will work in all honesty. If you want true precision, spend some money and get a good barrel and more importantly or just as important, find a smith that knows how to properly fit and chamber that barrel or your wasting your money no matter what the barrel quality is.
Kirby Allen(50)
____________________
"If it ain't accurate, lets make it that way!"
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 24th, 2006 11:54 AM |
|
14th Post |
Timberghozt
Board Founder
| Joined: | Fri Feb 11th, 2005 |
| Location: | Texas USA |
| Posts: | 6792 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | 300 Winchester Magnum ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Roger that Kirby..If the smith can`t true it correctly there is no amount of quality that will help it shoot accurate.I am with you on this.When it comes to barrels, you get what you pay for..
____________________
"He who fights with monsters might take care, lest he thereby become a monster; For if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - F.Nietzche
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 14th, 2006 04:41 PM |
|
15th Post |
Handgunr
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | Mon Oct 10th, 2005 |
| Location: | WNY, New York USA |
| Posts: | 96 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Timber....
Amen on what you said.............
I just sent an A&B barrel blank to Mike Sirois at OTT. He fabricated it into t 20" fluted unit for my Encore rifle. I had him chamber it in .22 Super Jet.
Right now that thing shoots amazingly well, and is besting the .221 Fireball velocities by a considerable margin, on less powder.
Just the fireforming loads are producing one hole groups at 100yds. I've talked to Mike at considerable length about different barrels, and although he uses Douglas Premiums, he says that most barrels produced are pretty good.
He mentioned that he used an A&B blank to produce a good 1000yd match gun for a customer that was shooting 10" at that range.
Regarding the preliminary tests on that .22 Super Jet, I've been loading some L'il Gun at 14.5grs behind the 40gr. Vmax's and with that 20" barrel, I've been getting an average velocity of 3560fps, with 5 shots well inside 1/2".
By the way...I picked that 27.5 inch, 1.200" blank up from Midway for $79.00 on sale.
Take care,
Bob
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 16th, 2006 07:29 PM |
|
16th Post |
The_Mountaineer
Board Founder
| Joined: | Fri Feb 4th, 2005 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 717 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | rifle | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
This is a great thread Timber and one that we don't see enough of. Good on ya for thinking of it!
I have 0 custom barrels at this point. My first is going to be my 30-06 fitted with a Douglas 26 inch barrel. Once I get it all put together in another couple of months, I'll report back on how it shoots. I went with Douglas for two reasons - cost (Douglas barrels, as has been pointed out, won't cost you an arm and a leg and work fine for hunting accuracy) and they're home grown. Made right here in West-by-God Virginia, Charleston to be exact. For those two reasons, that's why the Douglas barrel is gonna be on my 30-06.
Now I'm also cooking up a 338 Win. Mag project gun. It too is a Winchester M70 that will probably be wearing a Krieger chrome-moly barrel for hunting. It's gonna be my "North Country" gun. No particular reason that I picked it other than the fact that a certain Cav Scout by the name of Kingpin recommended it. He may even do the work I dunno at this point. Too many irons in the fire I suppose.
Regardless, I think a lot is to be said about necessary accuracy. I think 50 Driver said it best. Minute of whitetail is usually plenty good enough. For a target gun or LR hunting then a premium barrel with tight tolerances is important along with the all-important selection of the guy doing the chambering.
____________________
Montani Semper Liber - Mountaineers are always free
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 22nd, 2006 05:15 AM |
|
17th Post |
ACRecurve
member
| Joined: | Fri Jul 21st, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 2 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
I have used Douglas and Kreiger .. .. prefer Krieger. That said, Dan Pedersen has rebored a couple of factory barrels for me and they are my choice. I presume the barrels he makes are top drawer as well.
Andy
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 22nd, 2006 02:49 PM |
|
18th Post |
Timberghozt
Board Founder
| Joined: | Fri Feb 11th, 2005 |
| Location: | Texas USA |
| Posts: | 6792 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | 300 Winchester Magnum ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Hye fellas..This thread has really taken off..Brad,I am with you on Douglas.My 6mm has a Douglas barrel on it.I have really not tried to hard with a load for it and it shoots 1/2 inch 100 yard groups with ease using a 80 grain Sierra Blitz and 4320.For the price of a Douglas barrel,I would have no complaints.
I want to try a Lilja barrel though,just because of the recomendations of Kirby and other quality riflesmiths that know their trade.
I am gonna get me a 220 Swift off the shelf, but I want a custom 17 Remington that will have a Shilen barrel..
I have this new addiction to 25 caliber for some reason and I want a 257 Waetherby Mag,probably with a Lilja barrel to see what I think of em...
____________________
"He who fights with monsters might take care, lest he thereby become a monster; For if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - F.Nietzche
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 23rd, 2007 04:51 AM |
|
19th Post |
barebackpat
Handloading Master
| Joined: | Mon Jan 22nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Two Dot, Montana USA |
| Posts: | 462 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
I have a 257 stw with a lilja barrel 6.5x20x50 long range leupold scope and a hs precision thumbhole stock that will put 3 rounds through a dime at 100 yards. If you do your part. it is my first custom but i agree that it is mostly the person who puts them together. Last edited on Tue Jan 23rd, 2007 04:53 AM by barebackpat
____________________
IF there is lead in the air there's Hope!
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 30th, 2007 06:29 AM |
|
20th Post |
Eagleye
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | Sun Jun 5th, 2005 |
| Location: | BC's Northern Capital, British Columbia Canada |
| Posts: | 37 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
I have used a lot of barrels over the years: Shilen, Douglas, Pac-Nor, Lilja, Lothar-Walther, Krieger, Smith, (Canadian) Hart, Gaillard,(Canadian) McMillan, and probably a couple of others I don't remember. Never had a "bad" custom barrel, , but had a couple of poor smithing jobs that had to be redone to bring out the potential. Right now I have a couple of Pac-Nors, a Gaillard, a Douglas, a Lothar Walther and a brand new Krieger. I think if I had to make a choice of one, Krieger would get the nod. My present smith, who is an excellent accuracy rifle builder, tells me that the Kriegers are very consistent as far as bore and groove diameters go, more so than many other custom maker's Barrels. I shoot 1000 yards, so to place, I need a rifle that will maintain .4 moa or better right out there. THen all I have to do is my part!! Regards, Eagleye
____________________
The first shot is the one that truly counts!
|
| Current time is 09:28 PM | Page: 1 2   |
|
