Aftermarket barrels

[Paddyd]

So far I've bought 3 aftermarket barrels. 2 Criterion and one Proof Research. All 3 shoot well, but I have issues with the Proof barrel. When I received it the first thing I did was clean it as I do all new barrels. Then I put the bore scope in and was SHOCKED. What I saw was a beautifully lapped bore that had pitting scattered through it. Of course I took pics and emailed Proof about it. First reply was I was seeing oil , not pitting. I emailed back and told them I was definitely looking at pitting and this isnt my first rodeo. They finally admitted they were pits but absolutely refused to take it back and replace it! I was told to shoot it and if it didn't shoot then get back with them. I was amazed at how flippant they were. I told them when I spend $600 I expect better. So, I will never buy another Proof barrel. Ever. The two Criterion barrels I bought from northlandshooterssupply.com seem nearly perfect and will shoot alongside anything I've seen for a fraction of the price.
Buyer beware.

 

[Txhillbilly]

IMO, Bore scopes are a shooters worst friend. Look at some Savage factory barrels, and you will wonder how a bullet even makes it out of the barrel with a jacket left on it. They look like wash boards, yet most of them shoot amazing.
Do like they asked, shoot it and see how it does. Then complain if it fails to be accurate.

 

[foadlefty]

All barrel manufacturers are at the Mercy of the bar stock they get. Due to recycling putting impurities in the steel.

The good ole days are gone.

 

[Paddyd]

All barrel manufacturers are at the Mercy of the bar stock they get. Due to recycling putting impurities in the steel.

The good ole days are gone.

All I know is when youre selling so called premium
barrels at prices anywhere from 600 to 1k$ i dont expect to see pitting in the bore. It's called quality control.

 

[K9TXS]

The Urban Rifleman

X-Caliber

I've been using the two companies above for my barrels. Takes 6-10 weeks, sometimes less. They shoot very good and clean up well. I have a 6BR on order now and should be here around the end of this month.

 

[kelbro]

You have every right to be pissed. I don't think that I've ever heard that from any non-factory manufacturer.

 

[Barrelnut]

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.

 

[CFJunkie]

I recently bought two Shilen Select Match 416R SS barrels from NSS, one in .223 (26-inch) 1:7 twist and one in 6.5mm CM (28-inch) 1:8 twist, and the are both wonderful shooters.
I expect that a new .308 will be ordered shortly, also in 416R SS.

After shooting a 416R barrel in my Les Baer .223 AR, I found it cleaned up so much faster and so completely, that I am now a convert.
I can't say I have been disappointed in Savage Factory barrels, since I have experience with 8 of them and have shot out three of them, working on the 4th in the .308.
So far, the .223 Shilen shoots 19.8% better than the 1:9 twist 26-inch Savage factory barrel and the 1:8 twist 6.5mm CM Shilen shoots 23.8% better than the 1:8 twist 26-inch Savage factory barrel.
Actually, I believe that is testimony to the quality of the Savage factory barrels.

 

[Paddyd]

What Ive found is a premium barrel makes all the difference. Sure I hear people bragging on their factory Savages that have shot small groups, but in my experience, they aren't consistently accurate. I have a 26" Criterion 1/9 twist in 223R on an early 12 LRPV action that doesnt have any cold bore fliers and will shoot just as small a week from now as it does today. I have never seen that in a factory barrel. Mine have all been erratic where that group in the 3s today is in the 6s or 7s two days later, etc. The factory tubes are more effected by all the variables than a good hand lapped and stress relieved barrel.

 

[kelbro]

I've owned a few Shilen and a few McGowen Savage pre-fits and they all performed very well. The thing that we have to keep in mind is that if Savage had spent the time and effort that the aftermarket spends on the fine details, the cost of a Savage would probably be double. Savage was a pioneer in 'value engineering' providing an acceptable rifle at a little lower price than the competition. The barrel nut is one example. The floating bolt head is another. Those made manufacture faster with less scrap. Most of the Savage stocks were not that beautiful. Some had pretty nice wood, most were rather plain. I've owned several Savages and they would all shoot well enough to put meat on the table. Some shot even better!

 

[SevenFan]

2 Shilen select match in 416R and a 416R X-Caliber all 3 are shooters.

 

[NF1E]

Using X-caliber in my .308 build now and have a 1-17 Shilen on order as a replacement.
For the .223s I have Criterion and Shilen. All have worked out well for my uses. Whatta Hobby!