I've just had two rifles made for me from factory actions. One is a 257 WBY with a Hart barrel and the other is a 270 WBY with a Douglas barrel. They're both excellent shooters. My question is this: how good are factory barrels and how many of you out there use rifles with them.

From some of the so called reports I have heard I have had very good luck with factory barrels. I own a number of Ruger factory rifles from older tang safety models to newer MKII's and No.1’s. All are very accurate. Same goes with my Winchester, Remington and even Savage rifles. The only "bad" barrel I can remember having is one that was on a M98 Mauser in .308. Don't know what make it was but it wouldn't shoot worth a darn. Put a Douglas barrel on it and it shot great. Lawdog

I'm a Remington shooter and haven't any complaints. All of mine have shot better than needed for whatever intended task. Sometimes they aren't the easiest to clean but that comes with time (and a lot of JB) After I've gotten lots and lots of use out of a factory barrel, I put a Douglas barrel on it and keep on shooting.

I've had great results with factory barrels from at least the following manufacturers:

- Sako
- Blaser
- Remington

All the above are hammer forged.

- mike

Remington and Savage Barrels are great.

I've got sevral factory Remingtons that shoot sub MOA and one of those is very accurate (several groups in the .2s at 100). I've got a cheapo Wal-Mart ADL in 7RM that shoots in the .4s and .5s at 100 and sub 1" at 200. I also have one Sendero that is pretty dang accurate too.

I have two Savage sporters that will shoot from .6-.75 groups regularly at 100.

Some folks find it hard to believe that lowpriced Factory rifles can shoot really well and in some cases much better than High $$ custom rigs. That takes nothing away from the Beauty of a Custom but, I Value accuracy over looks a little more than some folks.

Good Luck

Reloader

I have never had problems with factory barrels. I have a Savage .270 that my dad bought for a guy from Alaska. It was what he called his "meat gun" and it has had 1000s of rounds through it.

I used it for my first Pronghorn hunt and it is still shooting sub MOA after all these years.

I also have Weatherby in 300 wby - this is whet I call my "Walmart Weatherby" - and it shot 1.25" groups this weekend at 200 yds.

the weatherby is one of the blued Vangards that came wiith a plastic stock for $388.

I bought it before Weatherby started taking the best ones out of the mix after test firing and then putting a different stock on them and selling them for more money.

Mine had a test target that hadshots measuring about .8"

Not bad for an inexpensive factory barrel.

I have a Savage 300 Win Mag that I bought new and that barrel would shoot one bullet to the left then it would shoot one to the right back and forth about 8 to 10 inches. Had to put another barrel on it and bed the action then it would shoot streight.

I have a 7mmrmag sako deluxe that I shot out and then had a douglas 7mm installed by corlenes in BC.The douglas shot amazingly well with the handloads I was using.It would shoot ballistic tips in a half inch at 200yds.This accuracy however does not last long as the throat of the barrels erodes.The rifle stop shooting after 200-300 rounds.These were with hot loads.I have a remington Sendero with a factory barrel chambered for the 300wm,this did not shoot as well as the douglas it shot factory loads in 2 inch groups at 200 but for a very short time-100 rounds.I am getting the sako back from the a Quebec gunsmith next week with a krieger 300wm and a muzzle break.Going to try that out after going two years without shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by jro45:
I have a Savage 300 Win Mag that I bought new and that barrel would shoot one bullet to the left then it would shoot one to the right back and forth about 8 to 10 inches. Had to put another barrel on it and bed the action then it would shoot streight.

Curious, did you give Savage a chance to make good on the warrantee before re-barreling? I know if I purchase a brand new rifle, don’t care what manufacture, and there is something wrong with it the manufacture is going to get first crack at making it right before I go to spending more money on it. Lawdog

Makes me wonder if it was the barrel or the stock and the glass bedding fixed it.

I brougt a rem adl in 300wm that shot 8 inch groups at a 100. I looked at it took it out of the stock and replaced it a couple of times. What I saw was that there was so much forend pressure on the barrel on could see the barrel move up wards when on tighten the action screws.

I free floated it and it would shoot into 2 inchs. I then glassed bedded it also and now with its best ammo it will do .750s.

Many things can cause a rifle to shoot poorly until one investagates them all one can not put the blame onto one part.

I've had excellent results with factory barrels on everything but Ruger and I understand they now have much better barrels than they used to. When I rebarrel it is usually a Hart.