Because there is more to a big game rifle, especially a dangerous game rifle, than just accuracy. Feeding, function, handling, and absolute reliability in any condition are more important.

Jeff

I've never heard of a true tomato stake from the "big names", such as Lilja, Schneider, Shilen, etc. Shaw, Douglas, yes. The big names all hand lap and inspect, and they spend the money for top flight steel.

Most short range competitors call a barrel that shoots "in the high threes" a tomato stake, and you rarely hear of one.

As far as the need for match barrels on big bores, it is a nice confidence builder, but I have a 358 that's a 2" gun, and that'll kill the elk just fine, if I could just find me one.... LOL! Dutch.

It's hard to do with a top-shelf barrel, in my experience. Among us target shooters (who go thru LOTS of barrels!), most of the "stinker" stories have their roots in either improper cleaning or fitting by the smith. Bad tubes DO get out but not very often.

I've done unholy things to top-flight barrels and they still performed wonderfully. One Krieger .30 was recontoured at least three times and shortened twice, cryo'ed AGAIN, rechambered a couple times and still shot well. I never used it as a pry bar until after I retired it but that's another story ...

Short answer is - very unlikely you'll get a bummer despite your 1000 yard gun experience.

Redial