Aftermarket barrels

[SavageTamer]

All of Cooper rifles had Wilson barrels when they were made in Montana. I have some Cooper rifles and they are Excellent in everyway. Not inexpensive but well worth the money.

There's more to barrels than accuracy. Maintenance and clean up is much easier with great barrels. Like I posted earlier and many already know, Factory barrels CAN be accurate. Many and I'll even say most do not clean up well and aren't as easy to maintain. The inside of many are ugly even tho they shoot great. Custom barrels depending on the makers can really produce a super clean rifles barrel with no imperfections. They clean up fast and shoot faster than any factory barrel. I own a Wilson barrel that shoots great. It's a moly barrel so needs more attention than stainless does even tho it's cerakoted, the inside is still bare moly.

 

[ONE-TEN]

He is straight forward telling they are from Wilson barrel blanks. He does all the work in house by himself threading chambering There is nothing misleading. He does a great job. I have quite a few of his barrels. I really like them far better than the one's I got from Northland. He is fast shipping and reasonable priced.

I apologize. I did not notice that. Yes, many people are quite fond of & have been successful with Wilson barrels. However, I won’t use them. Just as I won’t use McGowen, EABCO, Shaw, Hart or Proof Barrels. However, that is personal. All are capable of high precision. And of course anyone’s barrel choice is a personal thing. However, anyone around a group of Savage Builders will soon find Shilen & Criterion are probably the two most popular, and Northland (NSS) is a popular outfitter for many.

Also, again, you speak of Broughton in a current sense. Tim retired as of 2020. There were rumors he sold the business & they were supposed to be up and running by 2021. Still no word. If he is still doing barrels, he’s doing a heck of a job hiding it online! LOL! In any case, they are no longer an option. It would be good to note that for those shopping now & in the future. But as a matter of history, yes, the Broughton 5C rifled barrels were known for exceptional quality and were very fast! I never had the pleasure. But that ship done sailed.

 

[ONE-TEN]

There's more to barrels than accuracy. Maintenance and clean up is much easier with great barrels. Like I posted earlier and many already know, Factory barrels CAN be accurate. Many and I'll even say most do not clean up well and aren't as easy to maintain. The inside of many are ugly even tho they shoot great. Custom barrels depending on the makers can really produce a super clean rifles barrel with no imperfections. They clean up fast and shoot faster than any factory barrel. I own a Wilson barrel that shoots great. It's a moly barrel so needs more attention than stainless does even tho it's cerakoted, the inside is still bare moly.

You mean CHROMoly yes? As Molybdenum alone just won’t work. LOL! J/K Seriously, you raise some good points to think about.

I had a Chromoly Shilen. It was good, however, Stainless is better all around except wear. Which doesn’t really come into play anyway, with precision rifles. I Cerakote ALL my barrels. But for the SS barrels, it’s simply for aesthetics.

 

[SavageTamer]

You mean CHROMoly yes? As Molybdenum alone just won’t work. LOL! J/K Seriously, you raise some good points to think about.

I had a Chromoly Shilen. It was good, however, Stainless is better all around except wear. Which doesn’t really come into play anyway, with precision rifles. I Cerakote ALL my barrels. But for the SS barrels, it’s simply for aesthetics.

Yep chrome moly. Wear wise, moly lasts longer no doubt. In all other areas, SS is King.

 

[SevenFan]

He is straight forward telling they are from Wilson barrel blanks. He does all the work in house by himself threading chambering There is nothing misleading. He does a great job. I have quite a few of his barrels. I really like them far better than the one's I got from Northland. He is fast shipping and reasonable priced.

Yessir and I've never read a single complaint from his customers, nothing but high praise. I'd have chosen him for my most recent barrel but he didn't have, or Wilson doesn't make, what I wanted.

 

[K80skeet]

Man you're not going to get a top tier barrel for $600. That's like wanting "premium" glass for $1k. Not being an ass just how it is.

Thet's probably true. With that being said I have had very good luck with some of the inexpensive barrels like E.R. Shaw. I have a 25=06 that got from them and it is every bit as good as my Kriger's & Brux's. I just finished a 280 Ackley shoot one hole with a couple different powders. I will keep on trying them. Even if I get one that isn't so good at under $350 I am still way ahead.

 

[SavageTamer]

Man you're not going to get a top tier barrel for $600. That's like wanting "premium" glass for $1k. Not being an ass just how it is.

Hold on. Are you talking barrel price only OR barrel and chambering ? Lots of top tier barrels can be had for under $600 even today. Bug holes offers real good pricing on in stock Bartlein barrels and even with chambering and threading, price would be around $600 total.

 

[SevenFan]

I guess a lot would depend on one's definition of 'top tier' relative to what discipline they're shooting/competing in.

 

[K80skeet]

Hold on. Are you talking barrel price only OR barrel and chambering ? Lots of top tier barrels can be had for under $600 even today. Bug holes offers real good pricing on in stock Bartlein barrels and even with chambering and threading, price would be around $600 total.

Barrels are all threaded and chambered. I have bought them from E. Arthur Brown for as low as $219 shipped for a Savage small shank stainless steel. Most of the time unless they are on sale $250-289.

 

[SavageTamer]

Barrels are all threaded and chambered. I have bought them from E. Arthur Brown for as low as $219 shipped for a Savage small shank stainless steel. Most of the time unless they are on sale $250-289.

I was just indicating that the most popular barrels in PRS are all still obtainable for under $600. Typically under $500 and some under $400. Chambering and threading is additional. My Smith chambers, threads and crowns for $150.

 

[K80skeet]

I was just indicating that the most popular barrels in PRS are all still obtainable for under $600. Typically under $500 and some under $400. Chambering and threading is additional. My Smith chambers, threads and crowns for $150.

These barrels are all threaded and chambered Just screw them on and go shooting.

 

[SavageTamer]

These barrels are all threaded and chambered Just screw them on and go shooting.

Yep that sure makes it nice. Typically very accurate also

 

[K80skeet]

Right now they have a Savage small shank .223 Stainless Steel threaded and chambered 1 in 14 twist for $259.00

 

[CFJunkie]

My 1:14 twist has a problem shooting 55 grain bullets accurately, but shoots 52 and 53 grain bullets well. Not sure if it would be desired by most shooters.

 

[K80skeet]

My 1:14 twist has a problem shooting 55 grain bullets accurately, but shoots 52 and 53 grain bullets well. Not sure if it would be desired by most shooters.

They are all E.R. Shaw barrels so go to their web site E.R. Shaw barrels and you can build any barrel you want. They aren't as cheap as E.Arthur Brown when it is on sale and it take a little longer to get them. they are still under $400 all threaded and chambered for the Stainless Steel. Carbon Steel barrels are a lot cheaper.

 

[ONE-TEN]

James at NorthShooters, still offers Shilen Select Match Pefit Barrels up to 26”, for only $375! And Criterion Prefit barrels up to 26”, for $380! I got a 28”, and it was only $400.

NSS is Criterion’s supplier. As I said, there is a reason James Kessler & NSS are well respected in the Savage community.

 

[SavageTamer]

James at NorthShooters, still offers Shilen Select Match Pefit Barrels up to 26”, for only $375! And Criterion Prefit barrels up to 26”, for $380! I got a 28”, and it was only $400.

NSS is Criterion’s supplier. As I said, there is a reason James Kessler & NSS are well respected in the Savage community.

Bought several barrels from him. All Savage barrel nut set ups. All shoot as expected. Most are heavy varmint contour barrels on bench guns but very impressive either way

 

[ONE-TEN]

Same. My last Barrel from James at NSS was a 28” Criterion. But I did the MTU profile that finishes at .920”/muzzle dia., at 28”. Just a bit less than a full Bull-Barrel.

 

[SavageTamer]

Same. My last Barrel from James at NSS was a 28” Criterion. But I did the MTU profile that finishes at .920”/muzzle dia., at 28”. Just a bit less than a full Bull-Barrel.

Most of mine are 1.0" muzzle diameter, straight tapers. Couple .920" heavy varmints as well. 28" & 30". Other than heavy as hell, they shoot. Recoil is really tamed by the weight. They are all 308 case size cartridges with one being a 22-250 AI which is essentially a 308 case now.

 

[ONE-TEN]

Most of mine are 1.0" muzzle diameter, straight tapers. Couple .920" heavy varmints as well. 28" & 30". Other than heavy as hell, they shoot. Recoil is really tamed by the weight. They are all 308 case size cartridges with one being a 22-250 AI which is essentially a 308 case now.

Very cool. Mine is actually 260 AI.(big fan of Improved cartridges.) And yes, it’s heavy. But I like the weight. All my shooting is from a bench, & the extra weight makes shooting it a pleasure.

 

[SavageTamer]

Very cool. Mine is actually 260 AI.(big fan of Improved cartridges.) And yes, it’s heavy. But I like the weight. All my shooting is from a bench, & the extra weight makes shooting it a pleasure.

Yes I have a 260 AI also that wears a Shilen purchased thru NSS. It's a 28" .920" version threaded into one of their BigHorn Origin actions. Its my favorite ground hog rifle.

 

[Paddyd]

James at NorthShooters, still offers Shilen Select Match Pefit Barrels up to 26”, for only $375! And Criterion Prefit barrels up to 26”, for $380! I got a 28”, and it was only $400.

NSS is Criterion’s supplier. As I said, there is a reason James Kessler & NSS are well respected in the Savage community.

About 10 yrs ago, I bought a Criterion from them in 223 R. It is an easy consistent 1/2" barrel that with handloads is almost always sub half inch @ 100 yds, especially with the 50 and 52 gn Sierras. What I love about it other than that and the price is there seems to never be a cold bore shot that falls outside of the group. I think for the price, a CBI barrel is great. Might not be what some call " premium " , but they are if you compare them to the factory tubes you're taking off.

 

[ONE-TEN]

About 10 yrs ago, I bought a Criterion from them in 223 R. It is an easy consistent 1/2" barrel that with handloads is almost always sub half inch @ 100 yds, especially with the 50 and 52 gn Sierras. What I love about it other than that and the price is there seems to never be a cold bore shot that falls outside of the group. I think for the price, a CBI barrel is great. Might not be what some call " premium " , but they are if you compare them to the factory tubes you're taking off.

Criterion was started in 1999 as an off shoot of Krieger. John Krieger Co-founded, along with Steve Dahlke (who also worked at Krieger.) While the two shared floor space for some time, they were two separate companies. Still, Krieger supported the idea enough to help finance. And although Criterion uses Button Rifling, while Krieger uses Cut Rifling, the evidence points to the two having many shared practices in quality workmanship & control practices. Today, John Krieger is no longer part owner, and the two companies operate in separate facilities. Criterion is an exceptional company, and even though it has a relative short time span, it’s seen great success with many, many shooters.

 

[Iowa Fox]

Had 6BR Criterion barrel I got from NSS a couple years ago. There were some tooling marks on the ramps of the of the lands and it was getting high SD's. Talked to NSS about it and they said I needed to call Criterion, which was a fair response IMO.
Called Criterion and they had me send it in. They specked it out and said they thought the marks would go away soon and suspected they weren't causing the high SD anyway. They told me they could send it back the way it was, or polish the throat, or give me a new barrel.
Criterion gave me options. I took the new barrel. The new barrel settled down quickly and has shot great for the last 2k rounds.
I just got a new 223 Criterion barrel delivered from NSS last week and I'm looking forward to shooting it.
Sounds like Proof could learn a few lessons from Criterion.

Hard to beat Criterion. Good guys, I used to visit with them in person when they were at Brownells.

 

[ONE-TEN]

Hard to beat Criterion. Good guys, I used to visit with them in person when they were at Brownells.

Brownells? Really? I never knew that. Was that when the first split from Krieger Barrels? Criterion started originally, as a Button Rifled division of Krieger Barrels in 1999. I thought when they separated, they went right to their own shop in Wisconsin. Don’t remember ever reading anything about them being with Brownells. That’s interesting.

 

[K80skeet]

The Urbanrifleman sells Wilson barrels They are the barrels used on Cooper Rifles. and they are excellent. He sells pre-fit and chambered for Savage rifles both large & small shank. They are real shooters. $319.00 plus shipping and he ships with-in 2 weeks.

 

[ONE-TEN]

I’m excited with how many different barrel makers are offering Prefits now!

So with the advancements in both material & machining quality of today, a high quality Pre-Fit is going to offer equal precision to a gunsmith setup shoulder fit barrel. Now, of course, if you go asking people on Forums, the bulk will say that Gunsmith fit barrels are WAY better. But, guess who they heard that from? Some Gunsmith who told them! But in practice, by honest people who know, there is no real world difference. Now, there is some exception to what I’m saying. There are both a TOP 1% of Shooters, as well as TOP 1% of Gunsmiths. These are a the very gifted, truly ELITE of their profession. The MICHAEL JORDANS of shooting & smithing, shall we say. Unfortunately, there are FAR too many Competition Shooters & Gunsmiths who think THEY are part of that ultra few 1%. But guess what? 99% of THEM, are WRONG! I am a good shooter. I’m not world class. But I well versed in the fundamentals of shooting, & can hit a target I want with very good consistency. With my shooting, and given same starting components to work with, there is no difference.

Anyway, again, I’m very excited with the expanse of Aftermarket barrels & parts we’ve seen released for Savage rifles, in the last decade.

 

[pdog06]

I currently have a few Criterion’s, an X-Caliber, a Shilen, a Wilson/Urbanrifleman. and a Shilen. Then a few Savage factory ones too.
I have had very good luck with Criterion, although currently they are an 18week backlog when ordered thru James. My buddy just got his order from them and I swapped his barrel out. Haven’t shot it yet but expect more of the same results. I recommend them highly.
I have never owned a Proof. They look really nice but have read a lot of poor performance feedback. My cousin has 2 on Savage Ultralites and they both shoot sub MOA, so who knows.

 

[ONE-TEN]

I currently have a few Criterion’s, an X-Caliber, a Shilen, a Wilson/Urbanrifleman. and a Shilen. Then a few Savage factory ones too.
I have had very good luck with Criterion, although currently they are an 18week backlog when ordered thru James. My buddy just got his order from them and I swapped his barrel out. Haven’t shot it yet but expect more of the same results. I recommend them highly.
I have never owned a Proof. They look really nice but have read a lot of poor performance feedback. My cousin has 2 on Savage Ultralites and they both shoot sub MOA, so who knows.

Yeah, you have a “few”….. A “few” of just about every EVER-LOVIN’ barrel made!

Pdog follows the Muslim philosophy. But instead of 72 Virgins, he has 72 Savage Rifle Projects. LOL!! Seriously, how many Rifles you have in the works at the moment? Like 6?

 

[pdog06]

Currently working on 2, but 3 total that I’ve messed with and need to zero the scope…lol