Barrels

[BARichardson]

New build for my Savage has me thinking of trying different barrels companies! Let me know what u guys have used and results u got with them...

what im thinking in order

1.) Shillen Stainless Select Match
2.) McGowen Stainless
3.) Criterion Savage pre-fit

 

[trigger643]

I've had good results with Douglas (NM contour M14 air gauged) and E.R.Shaw (Savage varmint .223 & .308). I've just ordered my first Bartlein to complete my 6mm M40A1 build, as it had excellent reviews over on accurate shooter's. My brother's last 2 builds have been Shillen's, and he's experienced excellent results.

 

[BoilerUP]

Put Criterion at the top of your list.

They shoot great (I have two) and are a better value than Shilens.

 

[capreppy]

Put Criterion at the top of your list.

They shoot great (I have two) and are a better value than Shilens.

+1. I've got a 260 Rem that shoots lights out. Jim is excellent to deal with and carries most of the common calibers and profiles. Custom is around 11 weeks at this point and that is MUCH shorter timeframe than the other custom barrel makers.

 

[derrelw]

I have used a Douglas XX Air Gaged and a Bartlein 5R both in .260 Remington and both are great barrels. I get much better velocity with the Bartlein from the same loads.

 

[turbo54]

Any of the listed barrels will do you well.

I've personal experience with 3 criterion Savage pre-fits; one in 308, one in 7mm08, and one in 6.5creed. All are excellent...which is to say solid 1/2 moa shooters and maybe (probably) better.

Edit to add:

The 26" 308 achieves 2975fps from 155 Scenar and 47gr Varget, or 2850fps from 45.5gr Varget

The 26" 7mm08 achieves 2760 from 162amax (or 162bthp) and 45gr H4350

Both of those have been melonited. Both shot very well before and after the melonite.

 

[Wyldeman]

Criterion for sure. Have 16.5" 308, 2 6.5-284 26", they shoot very well & price is hard to beat! All listed are great barrels, just don't have any experience with the others for a savage pre fit. Give Jim Briggs a call

 

[0311@LAR]

Another vote for Criterion here as well. Just put a .243 one on my Savage and it hammers with 107 SMKs and 46 grains of H1000 at 2950 FPS.

 

[Prophet78]

What about Lilja or Kreiger?

 

[Avgjoe]

I have a 6BR Shilen Select Match Prefit that is the most accurate barrel I have ever owned. With 80 gr Bergers it will shoot 3shot groups in the mid .1's and 5shot groups in the low to mid .3's and I am not a bench shooter by any means. Shilen fell out of favor with the Savage crowd because lead times grew and prices increased over the others. I hear great things about Criterion, but would not hesitate to order another Shilen.

 

[Delta4-3]

McGowan barrels are crap and Dan Wynn, the owner stole $1300 from me. I have used several Montana Rifleman blanks and they have been stellar, and reasonable in price.

 

[fdkay]

My Dad has a McGowan pre-fit on his 6.5x55.
It is an excellent shooter.

I have a Lothar-Walther .308 pre-fit on my savage. It is also an excellent shooter. I'll buy another

 

[glassbeaver]

I just got the call today from Jim for my criterion. I'm starting to itch lol...

 

[TRTAC]

Bartline, Brux, Kreiger, Shilin, Pac Nor..... and on and on and on. They all shoot great!