I've gone through a handful of Van Horn barrels, and the accuracy and workmanship is top-notch. Yes, he did have some problems a while back, and I do not know whether this has been ironed out or not.

My favorite barrel from Dave is a full-bull, 26" Encore in 6.5x55 which consistently prints groups of 1.5" at 300 yards using my standard hunting load. This barrel was actually ordered during the time Dave's problems surfaced, and at first I was not happy with the barrel as a number of written specs were wrong. But after shooting it a while, those original requested specs were quickly forgotten.

I also have some of his woodwork -- including a schnabel-type laminate forend for the 6.5x55 -- and am quite pleased with it as well.

Dave also has dozens of ready-to-ship barrels that are not listed on his site. You may want to check into these as he offers rather attractive prices on them. Lastly, e-mail is NOT the best way to contact him. Pick up the phone and give him a call...

I just picked up a Van Horn 6tcu off ebay and am waiting for weather to clear up and not work on weekend to go try it out. Have an open mind and will report how it goes. Got three new barrels that haven't been shot. bummer

I have 3 of his barrels. They are all top notch. A year or two ago he had a problem(nothing he did, I won't give any info on it that is his business to tell it or not) but is past that now and I have had 2 barrels from him since then. Both shoot 5 shot groups under an inch at 100 yds. The last one, a 280 Rem Imp. was ordered in Nov. or Dec. of last year and total time from ordering till receiving the barrel was 2 weeks and he didn't have it on hand already made because it was a special contour I ordered. I like the addition of the engraved animal on the top of the barrel for the kind of game to be taken with that caliber, 280 Rem Imp. had an Elk, the 7mm TCU had a Ram and the 308 Win had Whitetail. Several years ago I had a Contender barrel in 357/44 B&D from him that had a Ram on it also.(I guess the B&D and the TCU kinda hints at the Silly Wet use with the Ram). I wouldn't hesitate to order from him again.

Steve E.......