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Bartlein Barrels Update

To my knowledge off hand....(as I was gone for a few days last week) there are only a handful of orders from Dec. 2020 left. So we are January and forward now for orders.

What's hard and throws a wrench in the works is caliber. Some calibers work load wise is backed up more than others. 6.5mm's and 30cals are tied for the most orders on hand. Tied for 2nd place but the nod goes to 6mm and then to 22cal.

Calibers like 30, 6.5mm, 6mm, 22 run all the time. Most of the time 7mms run nearly all the time as well. 338's it seems like as soon as we pull the tooling out we have to stick it back in for some emergency.

Other calibers get rotated in and out of the rifling machines.

The first of every month we go thru all the orders in house. Ones that are not released to the shop as of yet and the orders that are in the shop. Everything gets gone thru. We look at where we are with everything caliber wise and we also break down separately ammunition test barrel orders etc...we look at where we are getting behind and or making progress and make changes based on what we are seeing.

So for a reference a few years ago....the 6.5's for orders was way out pacing 30cal orders. Typically in years past 30cal orders was always the most we had on hand. So we had to make a decision and changed over some of the rifling machines from other calibers to try and keep the 6.5s in check. For a while 6.5's was like 35% of our production .Then as we got it caught back up we switched some of those machines back over to other calibers.

Right now...it's just flat out busy guys!

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
Thank you for the ‘inside scoop’ on what is going on in your shop Frank. It is very interesting.
 
Ordered a couple 6.5mm Mod BB barrels back in February that got shipped this week. Have a couple 6mm barrels ordered the same time that haven't shipped. Called and talked to Mark today to order a 30 cal for a 300 PRC project today. Can't speak highly enough about the customer service and wealth of knowledge of the people at Bartlein. No matter how overwhelmed they are (and I know they're working some ridiculously long hours) Mark always takes the time to help me refine what I'm looking for or to talk me into or out of some crazy idea that I've had. I'll continue to use their barrels no matter how long they take to get!
 
I only have one Bartlein MODBB barrel in 7mm on back order .

I believe that I need to change that and get a couple more on order headed into the hopper.
 
Frank,
Can you give us some info on the proprietary version of the 416R steel you offer? I realize that you're likely unable to give us specifics, which is fine, as I'm likely not to understand it. However, I'd appreciate as much comparative information as possible. To your knowledge has anyone else gone down the home-brewed recipe route? How about it Frank? Come clean with the goods....
 
No I won't get into specifics other than it's a modified 416R. That's why we call it 400modBB. The BB standing for Bartlein Barrels.

Not sure what you are asking in regards to "anyone else going down the home-brewed recipe route?" If you're asking about a gun maker etc...? The biggest users of the new material....has been going to ammunition and bullet makers...so that should tell you something.

later, Frank
 
Just got my tracking info today. Order was placed first thing in the new year:
  • 400 MODBB steel
  • 6.5mm blank
  • 1:8.5-7.5 LHGT
  • 28” finish length
Plan is to kick it to LRI for chambering in 6.5 Creedmoor to replace my burned-out Proof barrel (~1800rd with frequent strings of 10+ rounds). I’ll need to decide whether to go for Murder Hornet or Pattern X…
dude you got my barrel.... :D
 
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My 20" 6.5 Grendel Bartlein / Compass Lake barrel got here yesterday. Frank White's guys turned out a pretty piece of stainless steel.
I'll bead blast it this afternoon if its not raining and I'll build the upper over the weekend.
I hope this one is a shooter. I know that Grendel's will shoot with a little load development.
 
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The other thing with expanding the business.....

People/workers. Thanks to pandemic and the Gov't extending unemployment benefits and increasing how much they can get isn't helping anything either at times. Please don't take it wrong as I do know of people that truly need the help!

Here is what we are seeing as well as other manufacturers. Why should a person who is laid off and getting an increase in money as well as extending how long they can get the money....if they are basically getting they're paycheck what incentive is it for them to go out and look for a job.

Our daughters boyfriend (whom we have serious issues with) is a classic example. Got fired/laid (don't thing we are getting the whole story) off last November. We've been all over him to go get a job. I even offered a job to him here at work. All he kept saying was I'll be getting unemployment and they are passing another stimulus package. I'm good! So he actually did get a job (worked exactly 1 day and quit) because the next day he got his first unemployment check for $4k and is now getting what was equivalent to his paycheck. Supposedly the unemployment person at the agency told him not to go back to work and he should go back to school!

Not getting people back to work is messing up the whole manufacturing and any place that needs workers. Letting people get a free ride that are able to work and truly don't need the help is hurting everyone!

Every where around here and other parts of the country I see help wanted signs up. Everyone is struggling to hire people. I hear the same thing from other companies regardless of the company/type of industry they are in.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
Good points Frank. Our creation of a mandatory social welfare state for everyone is Ridiculous.

thanks for the update on lead times. Bartlein is top notch and will always have my business.

-Trevor Hengehold
 
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I called Bartlein a few weeks ago, asking them if they had what I wanted (30 cal) in stock...no. And time frame was forever.....it is what it is and CERTAINLY not their fault. SO, I checked several sites, and lo and behold, there was my Bartlein barrel and 7 days later it was in my paws, and a week later installed. My wife's toy store has been CRAZY for 18 months and getting product is getting impossible. And yes, people yell at her for not having stuff on the shelf. Some people are just ___________(fill in the blank).
 
Question for @Frank Green if I may... Is it pronounced bart Line, Lean, Lane, or Lynn? Thanks
It's German. So when you look at the spelling you think it would be pronounced "lean" but it's pronounced "Line".

Get it all the time!

My morning chuckle for the day. That was a different post! :D

Later, Frank
 
But....but....but my privilege......

Receiver barreled with a sweet Bartlein....

View attachment 7551528

Covid 19 you son of a bitch! I read your book!



Is that a Remington 700 action? If so, why is the top milled? I have a r700 and I was told milling the receiver top would fix the wind age issue. I have to adjust almost full windage to shoot center.
 
Is that a Remington 700 action? If so, why is the top milled? I have a r700 and I was told milling the receiver top would fix the wind age issue. I have to adjust almost full windage to shoot center.

It is an R700.

If I remember right its a 5 digit receiver so I very much doubt it suffered QC issues.

I had LRI mill the top and open the mount holes for a lugged scope base. Makes for a stronger scope/base/receiver mount AND cures any QC issues if there were any.

If your R700 has a windage error built in that sucks. RR serial number by chance?

Shoot it and enjoy it until you reach a point where you want to rebarrel and get the receiver blueprinted at that point.
 
It is an R700.

If I remember right its a 5 digit receiver so I very much doubt it suffered QC issues.

I had LRI mill the top and open the mount holes for a lugged scope base. Makes for a stronger scope/base/receiver mount AND cures any QC issues if there were any.

If your R700 has a windage error built in that sucks. RR serial number by chance?

Shoot it and enjoy it until you reach a point where you want to rebarrel and get the receiver blueprinted at that point.

It is a RR serial number. I had it blue printed when I had the new barrel chambered, which the gunsmith with over 35 years experience, did a bad chamber job on. So I ordered a new Nucleus action and will have a competent gunsmith, Whiddon Gunworks, re-chamber. Looking forward to a great fifle.
 
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Hello @Frank Green - do you know if any vendors in Canada have stock of you new 400 MODBB barrels (prefits or blanks)?

Would like to get my hands on one (or two).
Don't know if they would have any BB material in stock and if they do...will they have the caliber, twist and contour your looking for?

Hirsch Precision, Tac Canada (ATC they also go as) and Red Deer shooting center (search under Bostock) over in Calgary. Those are the only three that I know of.

Later, Frank
 
As an update from us here at Bartlein.....I don't have great news....

First off....retail pricing is going up $20 as of Jan. 1st, 2022. I/we don't want to do it but material costs either have gone up on us every month this year and it started back in 2020. Most of the time it's been a few cents here and there and we swallowed it for the most part. Our last steel shipment in October....material surcharges had a big increase and it just wasn't a few cents. Biggest increase we have ever seen at one time ever.

Also with the increase in lead times on other items that we need buy to make barrels like gun drills, reamers and other tooling and supplies that we order and don't make here....we are increasing the qty that we buy as well. So that's effecting costs as well. Just cannot afford a hiccup somewhere with something and it causes us to hold up any production. Another good example being is oil for the gun drills etc...normally I put the order in and it's here from the distributor with in 2-4 days. Last time it took us 3 weeks! Started sweating bullets on that one. Two weeks ago our cutting oil came in that I ordered that we use for the bore reamer and other operations but the solvent I ordered (55gallon drum) that I ordered at the same time didn't show. Guy in the shop asked me this morning where the solvent was? I said I ordered it a couple of weeks ago! Didn't it come in? He said...NO! So back on the phone/email again to try and find out when it's coming.

Also workman's comp insurance....they base it on wages. The amount of OT guys have been working here....it's going up for us. What we don't know is how much as of yet. They base it on the previous years wages.

So the inflation thing is hitting us here as well and effecting everyone everywhere. Don't let anyone tell you inflation isn't a problem. It is!

This price increase isn't just for the guy buying a single bolt gun blank from us. So please don't feel like we are singling out the individual customers. It's across the board to everyone. Test barrels, gun manufacturers etc...

Lead times? A solid 12 months is what we are quoting I hope that doesn't change. Yes it is totally possible depending on what you are ordering and when you order it...you could get it much quicker. It really comes down to timing sometimes.

Before I sign off for now....I'm going to leave this for thought for everyone as well......

One of my customers in Australia told me yesterday. That they are being told that the soonest they will see a some more primers.....earliest will be sometime in 2024! I hope that's not the case but I'm bringing it up because none of us are going to get out of this demand/shortage thing anytime soon. That's what this is all telling me and what we are all seeing.

Be nice when you start throwing rocks at me please!

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
 
As a guy who is looking to get into the game at some point in the near future- it's AWESOME to see this kind of realtime info! The zhao xiden inflation and regime suck, but it is what it is.

Thanks to all the industry peeps, gurus, and trigger pressers for making this site so much fun.
 
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@Frank Green Sincerely appreciate you keeping the customer base updated. The price of everything is going up!

WE collectively appreciate the information and explanation- not necessary though.

You make excellent products and those of us who have had the good fortune to use them WILL continue to do so.
 
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Be nice when you start throwing rocks at me please!
Absolutely no reason to throw rocks at all, Frank.

I appreciate your candor in explaining why price/lead times are going up.

I don't see any reason for resentment or complaint...you are doing a yeoman's job and seem to be managing the current COVID/supply chain issues as well as anybody while being far more transparent than most.

Cheers
 
As an update from us here at Bartlein.....I don't have great news....

First off....retail pricing is going up $20 as of Jan. 1st, 2022. I/we don't want to do it but material costs either have gone up on us every month this year and it started back in 2020. Most of the time it's been a few cents here and there and we swallowed it for the most part. Our last steel shipment in October....material surcharges had a big increase and it just wasn't a few cents. Biggest increase we have ever seen at one time ever.

Also with the increase in lead times on other items that we need buy to make barrels like gun drills, reamers and other tooling and supplies that we order and don't make here....we are increasing the qty that we buy as well. So that's effecting costs as well. Just cannot afford a hiccup somewhere with something and it causes us to hold up any production. Another good example being is oil for the gun drills etc...normally I put the order in and it's here from the distributor with in 2-4 days. Last time it took us 3 weeks! Started sweating bullets on that one. Two weeks ago our cutting oil came in that I ordered that we use for the bore reamer and other operations but the solvent I ordered (55gallon drum) that I ordered at the same time didn't show. Guy in the shop asked me this morning where the solvent was? I said I ordered it a couple of weeks ago! Didn't it come in? He said...NO! So back on the phone/email again to try and find out when it's coming.

Also workman's comp insurance....they base it on wages. The amount of OT guys have been working here....it's going up for us. What we don't know is how much as of yet. They base it on the previous years wages.

So the inflation thing is hitting us here as well and effecting everyone everywhere. Don't let anyone tell you inflation isn't a problem. It is!

This price increase isn't just for the guy buying a single bolt gun blank from us. So please don't feel like we are singling out the individual customers. It's across the board to everyone. Test barrels, gun manufacturers etc...

Lead times? A solid 12 months is what we are quoting I hope that doesn't change. Yes it is totally possible depending on what you are ordering and when you order it...you could get it much quicker. It really comes down to timing sometimes.

Before I sign off for now....I'm going to leave this for thought for everyone as well......

One of my customers in Australia told me yesterday. That they are being told that the soonest they will see a some more primers.....earliest will be sometime in 2024! I hope that's not the case but I'm bringing it up because none of us are going to get out of this demand/shortage thing anytime soon. That's what this is all telling me and what we are all seeing.

Be nice when you start throwing rocks at me please!

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
thanks frank.
 
Thanks Frank for the update!

I'll just chuck a few pebbles at ya :)

As an update from us here at Bartlein.....I don't have great news....

First off....retail pricing is going up $20 as of Jan. 1st, 2022. I/we don't want to do it but material costs either have gone up on us every month this year and it started back in 2020. Most of the time it's been a few cents here and there and we swallowed it for the most part. Our last steel shipment in October....material surcharges had a big increase and it just wasn't a few cents. Biggest increase we have ever seen at one time ever.

Also with the increase in lead times on other items that we need buy to make barrels like gun drills, reamers and other tooling and supplies that we order and don't make here....we are increasing the qty that we buy as well. So that's effecting costs as well. Just cannot afford a hiccup somewhere with something and it causes us to hold up any production. Another good example being is oil for the gun drills etc...normally I put the order in and it's here from the distributor with in 2-4 days. Last time it took us 3 weeks! Started sweating bullets on that one. Two weeks ago our cutting oil came in that I ordered that we use for the bore reamer and other operations but the solvent I ordered (55gallon drum) that I ordered at the same time didn't show. Guy in the shop asked me this morning where the solvent was? I said I ordered it a couple of weeks ago! Didn't it come in? He said...NO! So back on the phone/email again to try and find out when it's coming.

Also workman's comp insurance....they base it on wages. The amount of OT guys have been working here....it's going up for us. What we don't know is how much as of yet. They base it on the previous years wages.

So the inflation thing is hitting us here as well and effecting everyone everywhere. Don't let anyone tell you inflation isn't a problem. It is!

This price increase isn't just for the guy buying a single bolt gun blank from us. So please don't feel like we are singling out the individual customers. It's across the board to everyone. Test barrels, gun manufacturers etc...

Lead times? A solid 12 months is what we are quoting I hope that doesn't change. Yes it is totally possible depending on what you are ordering and when you order it...you could get it much quicker. It really comes down to timing sometimes.

Before I sign off for now....I'm going to leave this for thought for everyone as well......

One of my customers in Australia told me yesterday. That they are being told that the soonest they will see a some more primers.....earliest will be sometime in 2024! I hope that's not the case but I'm bringing it up because none of us are going to get out of this demand/shortage thing anytime soon. That's what this is all telling me and what we are all seeing.

Be nice when you start throwing rocks at me please!

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
 
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Spoke to Brux yesterday and he told me they are 6 months out. So as much as I wanted a Bartlein I'll just give my business to Brux.
 
Spoke to Brux yesterday and he told me they are 6 months out. So as much as I wanted a Bartlein I'll just give my business to Brux.

I dont own a Brux or a Bartlein but logic dictates that all other factors being equal (manufacturing scale / material availability etc) if something is harder to source there is a reason and it appears that Bartlein barrels are very desirable (hence the long lead time).

Food for thought.

Of course you are free to take your business elsewhere if the long lead times don't work for you. I would love a Bartlein (the 40MODBB version) but I expect the lead time to be long which may be a factor in my decision.

Bartlein sure seem to be doing something right based on their backlog. From a business perspective it is a good problem to have.
 
Spoke to Brux yesterday and he told me they are 6 months out. So as much as I wanted a Bartlein I'll just give my business to Brux.
I ordered a Bartlein on Dec 2nd and had it in hand by the 7th. Thanks @Krob95 for the intel.;)


66061486811__82FDAB6A-AAF8-4F20-8828-4D31AFC01D78.jpeg
 
I would say most manufacturers support the sport.

I'm sure that most manufacturers support the sport too, but some go over the top, and Frank is one of them. As an example, he just basically wrote a book (1500+ words) helping me in a private conversation regarding gain twist barrels. He routinely posts on this forum and I've found his information very useful.

Also, he is the only manufacturer proactively telling us that lead times have increased. Others aren't saying the same, yet their delivery times have indeed gone up. I ordered a barrel in early March from another manufacturer because of Frank's post back then - he lost a sale because he was being honest about lead times. That manufacturer quoted me 4-6 months. It is only just arriving today.

I'm not going to fault them because we're in this industry-wide meltdown, and in many companies across a variety of industries people making the sale are disconnected from the manufacturing process - and I'm sure I'll get a great barrel. However, had I known the discrepancy, I likely would have gone with Bartlein to begin with. I could have gotten a Mod BB barrel, and it would have only cost me a couple extra months instead of the 6 that I thought it would have at the time.

As it stands, I'll be ordering a couple of barrels from Bartlein today. I likely won't need them until about the time they're delivered regardless, so the lead times don't matter.
 
I'm sure that most manufacturers support the sport too, but some go over the top, and Frank is one of them. As an example, he just basically wrote a book (1500+ words) helping me in a private conversation regarding gain twist barrels. He routinely posts on this forum and I've found his information very useful.

Also, he is the only manufacturer proactively telling us that lead times have increased. Others aren't saying the same, yet their delivery times have indeed gone up. I ordered a barrel in early March from another manufacturer because of Frank's post back then - he lost a sale because he was being honest about lead times. That manufacturer quoted me 4-6 months. It is only just arriving today.

I'm not going to fault them because we're in this industry-wide meltdown, and in many companies across a variety of industries people making the sale are disconnected from the manufacturing process - and I'm sure I'll get a great barrel. However, had I known the discrepancy, I likely would have gone with Bartlein to begin with. I could have gotten a Mod BB barrel, and it would have only cost me a couple extra months instead of the 6 that I thought it would have at the time.

As it stands, I'll be ordering a couple of barrels from Bartlein today. I likely won't need them until about the time they're delivered regardless, so the lead times don't matter.

This ^^^^^^

I have every confidence that manufacturers are working as efficiently as possible (if the demand is there they would be foolish not to or they are leaving cash / profits on the table).

So owing to high demand we find ourselves in the position that there is a lead time. Only way to not have it be an inconvenience is to order far enough ahead so it doesn't hold things up.

I`m building a new rifle and need a barrel so I am facing the long lead times (kind of an impulse thing after enjoying building the first so much), but as its pretty common knowledge that barrels are in high demand I see it as a "me" problem that I didnt order sooner.
 
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Yeah. I'm in the business of helping people find bartleins in stock instead of bitching about lead times.
Ya sure. Can you find me a winning lottery ticket? I rather do without than deal with someone like you.:ROFLMAO:
 
Funny. I just did a web search and found the Bartlein barrel in stock that I wanted. Great price. 30" for $389
Incredible. Should've lead with that instead of posting irrelevant information in a thread about bartleins lead times, but I digress.

I wish I would've quoted your Karen post for posterity too. Kinda sad about that one.