Aftermarket barrels

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.
 
Big problem with bore scopes is the lack of knowledge on how to interpret exactly what we see. The imagination plays havoc without proper training. Whatta Hobby!
 
NF1E said:
Big problem with bore scopes is the lack of knowledge on how to interpret exactly what we see. The imagination plays havoc without proper training. Whatta Hobby!
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If you scroll back, you'll see the pics I posted. I think I know what pitted steel looks like!
 
Paddyd said:
If you scroll back, you'll see the pics I posted. I think I know what pitted steel looks like!
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I was not speaking of your particular photos, just bore scopes in general. I was thinking of what I have seen with the different scopes I have used over the years on my own barrels. Don't even look at them any more. The barrels, to me, that looked the worse actually shot the best. Whatta Hobby!
 
mattri said:
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.
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So youre saying proof research is sub top tier? They sure advertise as such
 
Well of course they do, who wouldn't? ;)

I've never shot a proof so take this for what you paid for it but I've never seen them in a match either. They tend to pop up in the "tacticool" crowd from time to time, especially the carbons. I don't doubt they've made some fine barrels but the competitors I know/have spoken with tend to stick with Bartlein, Brux, Douglas, Lilja etc.

It sounds like you're pretty unhappy so hopefully they'll take it back, best of luck with this.
 
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Paddyd said:
So youre saying proof research is sub top tier? They sure advertise as such
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I had never heard of them until recently when I did a search for 'Savage pre-fit'. They must be relatively new. When I hear top tier, that usually means Krieger, Bartlein, or Brux and sometimes Shilen. Douglas, Lilja and Hart used to show up on the leader boards but I don't hear much from them anymore.
 
Don't look at X Caliber CFW barrels thinking the price is so low that they can't that good. They are absolutely as good and accurate a barrel as any other CFW barrel out there. I own Proof, Bartlein, Carbon Six and Benchmark carbon barrels and X Caliber will shoot with them all. You'll just spend much less on one
 
SavageTamer said:
Don't look at X Caliber CFW barrels thinking the price is so low that they can't that good. They are absolutely as good and accurate a barrel as any other CFW barrel out there. I own Proof, Bartlein, Carbon Six and Benchmark carbon barrels and X Caliber will shoot with them all. You'll just spend much less on one
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Thanks for that feedback.
 
Txhillbilly said:
The only use that I'd have in a CF barrel is for a lite weight hunting rig. I've never seen one that would come close to being as accurate as a steel barrel.
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There great off a bench because it's a controlled set up. In the field, you won't get the same accuracy at long range or even close. I shoot off bipods and the front is so light, it doesn't recoil like a heavy steel barrel does. Takes lots of time behind the gun to get decent accuracy beyond 500 yards.
 
Amen to that Savage Tamer.
Hunting barrels are light because you have to lug them around.
Being light is a benefit but light rifles are sensitive to almost any small shooter pressure change.
But they can be pretty accurate when you know what hunting bullets and powder loads they like.
and the kill zone is much larger than target scoring zones, at least for bench shooting.
The hunter still needs to know what has to be done to get accuracy out of a favorite rig.
My two Shilen barrels (26 and 28-inch 410R bulls) weigh 5.6 and 6 lbs. all by themselves. Add an Aluminum chassis and the overall rig weights are 14.6 and 15 lbs.
They are not hunting rifles by any means.
 
CFJunkie said:
Amen to that Savage Tamer.
Hunting barrels are light because you have to lug them around.
Being light is a benefit but light rifles are sensitive to almost any small shooter pressure change.
But they can be pretty accurate when you know what hunting bullets and powder loads they like.
and the kill zone is much larger than target scoring zones, at least for bench shooting.
The hunter still needs to know what has to be done to get accuracy out of a favorite rig.
My two Shilen barrels (26 and 28-inch 410R bulls) weigh 5.6 and 6 lbs. all by themselves. Add an Aluminum chassis and the overall rig weights are 14.6 and 15 lbs.
They are not hunting rifles by any means.
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I have a few 15-17lb rifles similar. They are hunting rifles but not mountain rifles. I get them to my hunting locations by vehicle(SxS/Quad) and set up at the location I get to. No humping them in to a spot. My CFW barrel rifles are mountain hiker rifles. Heavy guns shoot great off bipods or a bench. Just need two contact points and it's always on the money. Recoil causes the barrel to jump before the bullet even exits the muzzle on the CFW rifles in the field. Bench is different and that can be mitigated.
 
I gotta agree with Txhillbilly’s first post. Borescope’s have caused so many problems for nothing, in recent years! This doesn’t apply to the OP, but the majority of people buying them now, don’t know what they are looking at. When someone newer looks through a borescope, they freak out! Then they come to the forums and start bad mouthing. And the first thing we ask is “how does it shoot? What do groups look like?” And the answer is always, “shoot it?” Savage 110’s are the definition of a rough looking bore. But they usually shoot well as they are. I don’t get trigger pull gauges either! Been saying this for years. More to the feel of a trigger than what the scale reads. But every new shooter wants a 1lb. Trigger.

Not for nothin’, but I never could figure the practice of buying a new barrel, and immediately scrutinizing it with a borescope, before a single pill goes down the pipe. Ah well. To each their own.

For a barrel, I use a Criterion from NSS. Quite frankly, these button rifled, hand lapped barrels are so good now, unless you are a 1%’er shooter, you’re not likely to see a difference. While I would love to stick a Bartlein on everything, it wouldn’t do me any good. Now, I’m honest enough to admit that. Even in my heyday I wasn’t at that level. And I’ve lost quite a bit since being disabled, half blinded, etc. Is what it is.
 
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Reminds me of a 338-06 barrel I got for grins, some cheaper brand don't even remember what. Looked uglier than week old sin and took about a year to clean but shot pretty ok for a hunter:)
 
ONE-TEN said:
I gotta agree with Txhillbilly’s first post. Borescope’s have caused so many problems for nothing, in recent years! This doesn’t apply to the OP, but the majority of people buying them now, don’t know what they are looking at. When someone newer looks through a borescope, they freak out! Then they come to the forums and start bad mouthing. And the first thing we ask is “how does it shoot? What do groups look like?” And the answer is always, “shoot it?” Savage 110’s are the definition of a rough looking bore. But they usually shoot well as they are. I don’t get trigger pull gauges either! Been saying this for years. More to the feel of a trigger than what the scale reads. But every new shooter wants a 1lb. Trigger.

Not for nothin’, but I never could figure the practice of buying a new barrel, and immediately scrutinizing it with a borescope, before a single pill goes down the pipe. Ah well. To each their own.

For a barrel, I use a Criterion from NSS. Quite frankly, these button rifled, hand lapped barrels are so good now, unless you are a 1%’er shooter, you’re not likely to see a difference. While I would love to stick a Bartlein on everything, it wouldn’t do me any good. Now, I’m honest enough to admit that. Even in my heyday I wasn’t at that level. And I’ve lost quite a bit since being disabled, half blinded, etc. Is what it is.
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About 10 yrs ago I bought heavy 1 in 9 twist Criterion in 223REM. For a single shot Sa age 12. It will shoot 1s ans 2s with little 52 gn Sierras and H322 but averages mid 3s. Ive been very happy with it since I think it only cost me $300. Will it compete with Brux or Kreiger? No, but it WILL outshoot any factory Savage tube out there and do it regularly. No cold bore fliers either, which i believe has a lot to do with how the barrel is stress relieved. Factory tubes are made to be "just" good enough to reliably hit an animal not win competitions.
Criterion is a damned good barrel. Especially when you get it finished and delivered under $400

I bought the prefit I originally posted about from Proof Research. And it was north of 6 bills. For 6 bills, I expected to get what was advertised. A match grade, hand lapped premium barrel and NO PITTING. Say what you will, the answer they gave me when I asked for an exchange told me Id never give them another penny.
 
Paddyd said:
About 10 yrs ago I bought heavy 1 in 9 twist Criterion in 223REM. For a single shot Sa age 12. It will shoot 1s ans 2s with little 52 gn Sierras and H322 but averages mid 3s. Ive been very happy with it since I think it only cost me $300. Will it compete with Brux or Kreiger? No, but it WILL outshoot any factory Savage tube out there and do it regularly. No cold bore fliers either, which i believe has a lot to do with how the barrel is stress relieved. Factory tubes are made to be "just" good enough to reliably hit an animal not win competitions.
Criterion is a damned good barrel. Especially when you get it finished and delivered under $400

I bought the prefit I originally posted about from Proof Research. And it was north of 6 bills. For 6 bills, I expected to get what was advertised. A match grade, hand lapped premium barrel and NO PITTING. Say what you will, the answer they gave me when I asked for an exchange told me Id never give them another penny.
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Oh I don’t blame you. Regardless of the condition of the barrel, it sounds like you received some miserable customer service! No excuse on their part. Same thing happened to me with McGowen. I was all set to purchase from them, but one thing didn’t sit well with so I contacted them for a bit of consideration, as it was going to be my first McGowen. However, my request of summarily denied rudely. That was it for me. I immediately cancelled the order & I’ll never go back. More importantly, I will never speak praise of them online. So I understand your conjecture fully.
 
ONE-TEN said:
Oh I don’t blame you. Regardless of the condition of the barrel, it sounds like you received some miserable customer service! No excuse on their part. Same thing happened to me with McGowen. I was all set to purchase from them, but one thing didn’t sit well with so I contacted them for a bit of consideration, as it was going to be my first McGowen. However, my request of summarily denied rudely. That was it for me. I immediately cancelled the order & I’ll never go back. More importantly, I will never speak praise of them online. So I understand your conjecture fully.
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I've shot some darn good savage barrels. Remington also. They don't clean up easy and they aren't particularly fast but they can shoot. Many refer to them as nothing but tent stakes but I'll take a few tent stakes if they shoot the way some of mine do. It doesn't take a barrel manufacturers name for me to love it. All it has to do is put 10 bullets inside of an inch and they do. I own 5-6 different barrel manufacturers barrels and Broughton has been my absolute favorite. Bartlein i only have in CFW models. They shoot fine also. Customs clean up faster for sure and typically outshoot factory barrels of course. There are exceptions tho.
 
Good points👍
Yeah… Broughton was good mojo! Unfortunately, they closed shop in 2020! Luckily, there are plenty of barrels starting with a “B” in still rockin’ & a-rollin’!😊 We have Brux, Bartlein, Benchmark! All delicious! LOL!🤣

Actually, I’m surprised you put a Button Rifled barrel over Cut Rifled like Bartlein? But cool. I like Button Rifling for their consistency & overall, price for the performance they offer. 🙂
 
ONE-TEN said:
Good points👍
Yeah… Broughton was good mojo! Unfortunately, they closed shop in 2020! Luckily, there are plenty of barrels starting with a “B” in still rockin’ & a-rollin’!😊 We have Brux, Bartlein, Benchmark! All delicious! LOL!🤣

Actually, I’m surprised you put a Button Rifled barrel over Cut Rifled like Bartlein? But cool. I like Button Rifling for their consistency & overall, price for the performance they offer. 🙂
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For me I don't think it was as much putting it over a cut rifle barrel as it is the most accurate and easy to clean barrel. Also the Broughton barrels seem to be the fastest of all my barrels. These attributes to me mean the most. When I found out Tim was selling his company while ordering my last 338 barrel, I wound up buying 4 barrels from him in the two most popular calibers I shoot. I'm pretty well set on barrels in my lifetime. For hunting anyway.
 
ONE-TEN said:
Oh I don’t blame you. Regardless of the condition of the barrel, it sounds like you received some miserable customer service! No excuse on their part. Same thing happened to me with McGowen. I was all set to purchase from them, but one thing didn’t sit well with so I contacted them for a bit of consideration, as it was going to be my first McGowen. However, my request of summarily denied rudely. That was it for me. I immediately cancelled the order & I’ll never go back. More importantly, I will never speak praise of them online. So I understand your conjecture fully.
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Try the Urbanriflemans barrels. (site Sponsor) They shoot lights out. $319 all threaded and chambered. Ships within a week after ordered.
 
K80skeet said:
Try the Urbanriflemans barrels. (site Sponsor) They shoot lights out. $319 all threaded and chambered. Ships within a week after ordered.
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I appreciate it. But I would need to first see who he is getting the blanks from. Urbanrifle seems very similar to NSS (Northland Shooter Supply), in their work. Aquire blanks from outside barrel maker & perform the services in chambering, profiling, etc. However, Jim (now Jim Jr. I believe), at NSS, gets his blanks from Criterion & Shilen, and they are very transparent with that. This guy Bradley, at Urbanrifle obviously isn’t producing his own barrels. I’m just turned off when they don’t disclose this. Because it’s misleading to the uneducated in the barrel market, and it’s just insulting to those of us who ARE! 🙂

But if you have had success, I commend you & all those who also are happy with those barrels.
 
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K80skeet said:
Try the Urbanriflemans barrels. (site Sponsor) They shoot lights out. $319 all threaded and chambered. Ships within a week after ordered.
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Good price for sure on a chambered, threaded barrel ready to mount. You'll need 2 men and a boy to carry it around if that doesn't bother you. Straight taper only from breech to muzzle. Select calibers also. Still a great deal if you don't mind a heavy rifle.
 
ONE-TEN said:
I appreciate it. But I would need to first see who he is getting the blanks from. Urbanrifle seems very similar to NSS (Northland Shooter Supply), in their work. Aquire blanks from outside barrel maker & perform the services in chambering, profiling, etc. However, Jim (now Jim Jr. I believe), at NSS, gets his blanks from Criterion & Shilen, and they are very transparent with that. This guy Bradley, at Urbanrifle obviously isn’t producing his own barrels. I’m just turned off when they don’t disclose this. Because it’s misleading to the uneducated in the barrel market, and it’s just insulting to those of us who ARE! 🙂

But if you have had success, I commend you & all those who also are happy with those barrels.
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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.
 
According to their website, Wilson only accepts orders of 100 or more barrels so they are quite different than Shilen or Criterion.
It would require a company like Urbanrifleman to use Wilson barrel blanks to fill orders for individual barrels.
I like the fact that someone fills a niche by offering that service.
 
SavageTamer said:
For me I don't think it was as much putting it over a cut rifle barrel as it is the most accurate and easy to clean barrel. Also the Broughton barrels seem to be the fastest of all my barrels. These attributes to me mean the most. When I found out Tim was selling his company while ordering my last 338 barrel, I wound up buying 4 barrels from him in the two most popular calibers I shoot. I'm pretty well set on barrels in my lifetime. For hunting anyway.
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I have had good luck with Broughton and Tim is a great guy to deal with. He is a little slow making them. The last one was 10 months before I got it. I don't see a lot of difference if it is button pulled or cut rifling if it is a good barrel it is a good barrel. I have had great shooters out of both. Proof is in the shooting. Hart makes great barrels and they are all button pulled. I have a 25-06 I bought from E.R.Shaw it turned out to be a real shooter. So you never know until you shoot it. Everyone makes good barrel and they all make barrels that aren't as good. It is a game of luck. That's why the top shooters order (10) barrels at a time and shoot and grade them.
 
CFJunkie said:
According to their website, Wilson only accepts orders of 100 or more barrels so they are quite different than Shilen or Criterion.
It would require a company like Urbanrifleman to use Wilson barrel blanks to fill orders for individual barrels.
I like the fact that someone fills a niche by offering that service.
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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.
 

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