Author Topic: BARREL QUESTION ?? (Read 778 times)

razmuz · « **on:** March 28, 2004, 05:49:23 AM »

Will a high dollar barrel work on an over-the-counter action? My second question, What is the best barrel for less than $500? I read mostly about Douglas, Shaw & Shelans, but don't know if that's because of accuracy or advertising. My last question, Is Sako's reputation built on strength and reliability or accuracy?

Steelhead · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2004, 08:29:46 AM »

Well I just had a 20 year Ruger M77 rebarreled with a Douglas number #3 contour chambered in 6.5/06 and it shoots like a house on fire. I have 2 other rifles, (FN 98 Military 30/06, Husqvarna 7x57) and a VZ-24 being fitted with a barrel chambered in 338/06. All the barrels have been Douglas and all have shot VERY well. I do believe that it is the fellow doing the work that is more important then the barrel. You can get a Douglas for about $150 and have one screwed on by a VERY good smith for $300 or under. Just don't skimp on the guy doing the work. I also tend to go with what barrels the particular smith likes. Obviously Douglas in this case. I should mention that the smith did all the chamber work also.

I can't overstate the importance of having a GOOD smith do the work.

Catfish · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2004, 03:21:27 AM »

All of the manufactures you name have a good reputation. The only one I`ve ever used though is Douglas and I have been happy with them. I got several rifles built with their barrels and they are very hard to beat for the price.

Judson · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2004, 01:05:46 PM »

Barrels are funny things, you get what you pay for. You may get one "cheep" barrel that shoots great and another that does not. In my shop we use primarily Shilen match grade barrels as I guarentee my rifles to shoot half inch or smaller groups.
The point about who does the work is well taken because if a hack installs it I do not care how good the barrel is accuracy will suffer. We square the action, lap the locking lugs and do alot of other stuff before installing a barrel. Accuracy is determined by alot of things and all of these have to go togther in the right way if your rifle is going to shoot those one hole groups and it is not just the barrel.