Which barrel is the best, or are they both accurate? Perhaps I'm
comparing apples to oranges, as the Criterion will be stainless
Match Grade while the Shilen would be stainless Select Match.

I have a Shilen barrel on an Encore (Tac 20) which is more
accurate than a couple of my bolts, but am wondering about how
well Krieger constructs their button rifled barrels. Anyone
have experience with the Criterions??

To be honest I think you are spitting hairs.
Any top quality match grade barrel should be fine for anything but the most scrutinizing benchrest shooter.

Not to mention there are a lot more things then just a barrel that contribute to good accuracy.

My opinion: Pick the one with the best reputation and customer service and call it good.

These guys pretty much answered it for me:

http://savageshooters.com/Sava...topic,38462.135.html

Note the third paragraph of the first post on that page.

Danno,
That looks like a barrel sellers post. I'm sure they are good, But?
Butch

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:
Danno,
That looks like a barrel sellers post. I'm sure they are good, But?
Butch

There are 5-6 years of dealing with Jim Briggs
under my belt. He is a straight shooter, and
would not have posted that statement if it were
not true. Would take quite a fool to make such
a statement that could be checked for
authenticity if it was false.

Well just show me the groups or whatever when you shoot it. I've been through several long and short range shooting results in the past year and haven't seen their name in the equipment list.
Butch