Another question from by buddy.

Who makes the most accurate #2 SS 6.5 caliber barrel in the industry?

there is no single "best." Lots of good makers. Can't really go wrong with Shilen, Lilja, Hart, Krieger, and several other brands. If the smith dials everything in and uses the same reamer, I would expect all 4 of those barrels to perform about the same.

From what I have seen, there are far more good barrels then there are good shooters. And even fewer can truly load "Class A" ammunition. I know I am the limiting factory at the range. I can work the metal better than the trigger or reloading press. But few shooters would ever admit that.

Few shooters even own the equipment needed to wring the accuracy out of their rifle. Proper front and rear rests and wind flags are in short supply it seems. But these 3 things are essentioal to see how a rifle will shoot.

I pretty much use Douglas across the board.....as they just plain work for me!

You can spend a lot more and get nothing or little for the extra.....

My opinion, heard MUCH good about Krieger and Lilja barrels, as well as Broughton. Hart has been a consistent bbl mfg and will put them on. Also, if you want a good value, good barrel, and a co. that will back up and stand behind their work, Pac-Nor has done many guns for me, and the last, a 6BR on a Ruger #1 falling block single shot, shot a .498 group, 3 shots at 330 yds. I think no one will argue, there is nothing wrong with the barrel!

If you want a top barrel and don't need gunsmithing, I'd look at Krieger and Lilja. I doubt you would get a bad one.

Shilen, some rave about for bench guns, often 22 cal, but it seems they are hit and miss, not as much as say a Douglas, sorry but they don't seem to compare.

Oh, Marc speaks with wisdom/truth, my group above was not an 'average' mind you, but I have shot enough sub 1/2 moa to have no issue with the bbl, and it is hard for me to imagine that it was such a fluke, that my bbl could have major problems, that bbl MUST be solid to have done that, at least my confidence says so!

Oh, last but VERY important, proper twist rate chosen is KEY, and esp. for heavier bullets in 6.5mm. That is more important possibly than the mfg of the bbl.

There are many excellent barrels made today.
I bought my first custom barrel in 1960, a Douglas, and had a 22-230 built. It shot very well. So, I've hung in there with Douglas barrels for all rifles I want to have blued.
In 1968, I had the hots for a stainless barrel that would shoot well, so I had a 6mm Remingtion built with a Hart barrel. It shot well, so all my stainless barreled rifles have Hart barrels today.
Equal to the importance of having a barrel made by a good maker, is the gunsmith that chambers and fits the barrel to the action, and the stocking, then the scope and mounts, and the reloads. Each are links in the accuracy chain, the weakest of which dictates how well the rifle will shoot. Finally, the shooter has to do his job, or no good groups from a perfectly assembled rifle, with the best components.
For load developing with a new rifle, I use a 36x scope and only shoot when there is no wind. I want to find the best load for the rifle. It's not the time to see how well I can shoot in the wind. I have a good front rest and rear bag, and have a level on the 36x scope. I work hard at my shooting technique, from shot to shot, so I can find the best load for the rifle. After finding the best load, I switch to a hunting scope for the rifle.
The groups I've been able to shoot this way are outstanding.
My point here is that all of the ingredients that go into getting a good group have to be in the equation, on the day you shoot.

Don

http://www.eabco.com/

I don't know anything about them personally, but poking around and reading articles they are big fans of the 6.5mm if this helps any.
Good luck.

I always look at the equipment lists for the benchrest and long range benchrest matches.

I see Bartlein, Broughton, Krieger, Kostyshyn and Hart on the most winner's guns.

But what do benchrest shooters know about barrels?

I think Shilen has won more registered BR matches than ony other maker. BUT...I also think they have been used more than any other barrel, and they were often given out as prizes to the winners. THis would put SHilen barrels in the hands of BR shooters who were known to be very good. Kinda stacks the deck in their favor!

The ones you are seeing in the "winner" column of the matches are all very, very good brands and I would be happy with any of them. Well, actually I have never heard of Kostyshyn before. Do you know much about them Fjold?

I have a Lilja for my personal 6.5, but would be fat, dumb, and happy with any of the barrels mentioned. OK, that is not entirely true. I would be skinny, dumb, and happy!

So back to your question GSSP, if your buddy buys any of the barrels mentioned here and has a good smith install it, then there is a very good chance he will have a fine shooting rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Marc_Stokeld:
I think Shilen has won more registered BR matches than ony other maker. BUT...I also think they have been used more than any other barrel, and they were often given out as prizes to the winners. THis would put SHilen barrels in the hands of BR shooters who were known to be very good. Kinda stacks the deck in their favor!

The ones you are seeing in the "winner" column of the matches are all very, very good brands and I would be happy with any of them. Well, actually I have never heard of Kostyshyn before. Do you know much about them Fjold?

I have a Lilja for my personal 6.5, but would be fat, dumb, and happy with any of the barrels mentioned. OK, that is not entirely true. I would be skinny, dumb, and happy!

So back to your question GSSP, if your buddy buys any of the barrels mentioned here and has a good smith install it, then there is a very good chance he will have a fine shooting rifle.

Agreed, most well made bbls with good smithing can outshine our hold ability! At least in a hunting rifle not sandwiched in a rest when hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by Marc_Stokeld:
. Well, actually I have never heard of Kostyshyn before. Do you know much about them Fjold?

They are a new manufacturer started in 2002 that is getting some impressive results. I'd say 90% of their barrels are going directly to Benchrest competitors, who are snapping them up as fast as they're made. They are one of the small boutique makers who monitors and controls the actual alloying and stress relieving of the raw steel at the mill.
Here's their website: http://www.k-bbarrels.com/

I should have added Lilja to the list as Dan has some outstanding 22 barrels and can't be making bad barrels in other calibers.