Which barrel is the best, or are they both accurate? Perhaps I'm
comparing apples to oranges, as the Criterion will be stainless
Match Grade while the Shilen would be stainless Select Match.

I have a Shilen barrel on an Encore (Tac 20) which is more
accurate than a couple of my bolts, but am wondering about how
well Krieger constructs their button rifled barrels. Anyone
have experience with the Criterions??

I`ve 2 Shilens and am happy with both. Mine are on plain jane hunting rifles not bench guns or tactical sniper types.
I`ve never heard a bad report on a Krieger but most of the owners have cut rifled not button. There may be a difference if you`re putting it on a 1000 yd target rifle but, I doubt in a hunting or varmite rifle you`d notice it.

I could be wrong but don't think you can buy a barrel blank from them (yet).

Kriegers are all single point, rifle cut. No button barrels from them.

Criterion is a sister company to Krieger.
They make button rifled barrel for companies such as Weatherby.


Hal

quote:

Originally posted by Hal H:
Criterion is a sister company to Krieger.
They make button rifled barrel for companies such as Weatherby.


Hal

There also making barrels for
http://savageshooters.com/Sava...p/topic,36262.0.html

http://bulletin.accurateshoote...rands-180-00-190-00/

I think Kreiger took a look at what Mike Rock did with his OEM buttom rifle business.
http://www.rockcreekbarrels.com/

I've bought 17 barrels from Shilen and never had a bad one. I have had 4 "hummers" from them. I made one mistake in ordering a barrel and they were very helpful by facilitating a trade with a dealer. I have only bought select match barrels from them. I have also bought barrels from other suppliers but not had the same results. As to the other brand you mentioned I have no experience and know no one who has.

probably should ask this question in the gunsmithing forum. oops - you did

These guys pretty much answered my question:

http://savageshooters.com/Sava...topic,38462.135.html

The third paragraph of the first post on that page
pretty much let me know that one would really have
to get a lemon to go wrong with the Criterion.