Well here I go again, trying to talk myself into a shaw bbl. I just had a Shilen put on a Ruger 77 but don't like the finished job. It was heavy and the bbl looked like a stovepipe and this was the smallest contour they made. So I need a reasonable priced bbl. with a contour like a regular Rugar say like a .308 cal contour. Can anyone help ?

A club member has had some Wilson barrels for the .35 Whelan made up and he likes them. The rifle I saw did not have a light taper however.

Although I have three .358 Winchesters I really don't know the perfect barrel taper or source. However my M 70 Featherweight is quite accurate. That profile is the lightest that I know of but it would not fit your existing stock.

For my information what are the dimensions of that 22" barrel on your Ruger 77?

If I were to rebarrel a bolt for the .358 Win I would get a 20 barrel to the M 70 Featherweight profile but get it a little thicker than the .560" muzzle diameter that Winchester and Savage used.

[ 04-25-2003, 20:17: Message edited by: Savage99 ]

Can't imagine why you need to "talk yourself into" a Shaw barrel. I think they're excellent value for the money. I've bought a few, and I'd buy more.

.358,

If you think the Shilen looks like a stovepipe, the Shaw will look even worse. The smallest contour they have for 338 and up is their #2 1/2. They describe it as a heavy sporter. I had one in 338-06 put on a VZ-24 and wow was I surprised at how thick it was at the muzzle when cut to 22". I ended up selling the VZ-24 and having a 338-06 built on a Winchester 70 push feed action with a Douglas #2 cut to 23" and put in a Winchester Featherweight stock. This was the rifle I had envisioned for the VZ. The total weight on the Winchester without scope and mounts was right at 7lbs. or a hair under. If I were you I would stay away from the Shawbecause of the contour.

Er Shaw is only 30 minutes from my house. I know several people who have used their barrels and they all have been satisfied with god accuracy. If you are concerened about contour, then just have them but the barrel in a lathe and make a custon contour for you. It will cost extra money but they will do it. This summer I am having them make a 35 whelen for me on a Ruger Mark II action.I feel they are a great deal for the money.

I'm not too sure I would use a Shaw barrel if someone gave it to me. I called them a couple of weeks ago to get some information regarding a project I'm wanting Virgin Valley to do for me. The 2 different guys who talked to me on the phone acted as if I was completely wasting their time. They were very curt--just short of surly--and seemed to have little or no interest in answering my questions. I don't understand the purpose of owning a business and then not wanting to help potential clients. My own business depends on excellent service AND public relations. Oh well.....maybe they were having a bad day.

If I'm going to the expense of building a rifle or even installing and rechambering a rifle, then I am at least going to use the best components I can get.

I have barreled and re-barreled a number of guns with cheap barrels that didn't shoot for one reason or another. Why take the chance..Most folks use them and brag about them until they get a good burn. It will happen sooner or later depending on your luck...A good Douglass costs about the same...All I use these days is Lothar-Walthar barrels.

But this comes down to choices and we have to make our own, who is right and who is wrong makes little difference, what we must do however is live with those choices....

All I can say is that every dealing I've had with E.R. Shaw has been extremely pleasant and accommodating. I don't think I'd order one of their barrels for serious competition, but for a hunting rifle, they are hard to beat.

You may want to jump over to WWW.24hourcampfire .com. The guys there are custom gun fanatics and will tell you what you need to know. Their barrel of choice is the pac-nor. After what I have read that will be my choice when I get ready to rebarrel my next rifle.

Another Shaw booster!! They've done numerous barrels for me, and I think they're great. ZERO problems.

R-WEST