I have not been in the business long but I have a question about sources for rifle barrels.
Everyone knows where to get match quality barrels, shops like Lilja, Pac-Nor, Shilen, Hart and the like. But I am suprised how many customers come into my shop wanting to rebarrel their old hunting rifle but do not want to spend the money on a fine barrel.
Trueth is most of these customers would be plumb satisfied with a big game rifle that would average 1.5 moa.
My question is where do you guys get your economy barrels for those hunters wanting to get a new barrel but not spend +$200 for a barrel blank.
Any information or contacts would be great.
Thanks for your time!
Good Shooting!!!
50
Posts: 701 | Location: Fort Shaw, MT | Registered: 09 April 2002
A few years ago I bought an Adams and Benett for 34.95 on sale, built a 270 with m98 action, might be the most accurate gun in the rack. I think they are about 85 now at midway. I would buy another in a heart beat if I was going to build a blued gun. If I was going to buy SS I would buy Montana Rifleman, about the lowest price out there of the good barrels and they shot plenty good.
Posts: 1868 | Location: League City, Texas | Registered: 11 April 2003
Has anyone tried the $50 barrels listed in Gun List? I am at work and don't have the paper in front of me but I believe the name starts with a "B". They are just blanks but for $50 bucks... Jason Connerley
Posts: 575 | Location: VA | Registered: 20 March 2003
The idea is not bad at all, and it really should be possible to get a cheap barrel to shoot well. I know that we are all guilty of wanting the best, but in reality less will probably do in most cases. Take the example of Cooper, I don't recall more than one or two negative comments about these rifles, and by far the overwhelming amount of comments are positive, and mostly associated tales of great accuracy right of the box. The Coopers currently use Wilson barrels (I think), i.e. the barrels Jack Belk described along the lines of "the best 10$ barrel on the market". So somehow, it must be possible to get a package together - even with a "lesser" barrel...
- mike
Posts: 6653 | Location: Switzerland | Registered: 11 March 2002
Sharps54 The "B" in gunlist you refer to is my old friend Les Bauska. Les has been making barrels since i947. He is presently 86 yrs young and still at it. His barrel blanks have straight bores, are button rifled and will make a good rifle. What you get is the unturned blank right out of the rifling machine. It has to be precision centered and turned concentric and then contoured to the shape you want. If you are able to do the machining his barrels are a best buy.
I usta get my cheap barrels from a guy named Perrone outta Shotgun News. That was over ten years ago and I don't know if he's still around, but they were decent barrels for the money.
Posts: 1570 | Location: Base of the Blue Ridge | Registered: 04 November 2002
I've had good results with E.R. Shaw barrels. For example the .300 Winchester barrel I have will give me 1/2 m.o.a. with a good load. The only problem it has is that it "walks" about a minute to the right after it heats. But that's not a big deal to me.
Wouldn't a new, takeoff, be about right? Lots of Rem and even Sav. takeoffs at many gunsmiths for under $50. Plus, it saves the blueing, chambering, crowning, etc. Just a thought, Dutch.
Posts: 4564 | Location: Idaho Falls, ID, USA | Registered: 21 September 2000
you'll fairly often see takeoff Rems for $40-50 on the gun auctions. Had one rethreaded to fit a Turk action, and it is a great rifle. I like stainless, because you don't have to reblue. Two-tone actually grows on you after while.
Posts: 2281 | Location: Layton, UT USA | Registered: 09 February 2001
I saw a post on here a few weeks ago about some place that sells take-offs from various factory rifles; can't remember now who they were. Anybody know?
Posts: 2758 | Location: Fernley, NV-- the center of the shootin', four-wheelin', ATVin' and dirt-bikin' universe | Registered: 28 May 2003
orland, give Sharp Shooter Supply a call(419 595 3179), or any of the barrel makers that install barrels (Pac-nor comes to mind). Savage Barrels end up at Ebay regularly, also.
Plus, try the classifieds at places such as Varminthunters.com. Prices range from $25 to $100, depending on countour and caliber (with something like a new 22/250 in varmint being the highest, and a 30-06 sporter being the lowest). HTH, Dutch.
Posts: 4564 | Location: Idaho Falls, ID, USA | Registered: 21 September 2000
Has Douglas stopped making barrels? I have had several, and they were acceptable for hunting accuracy, and not priced like platinum! As a matter of fact, one of my most accurate rifles is a 6mm/.284 with a Douglas Premium Grade barrel!!
Yep, they're still there, and blanks list for under $200.00. You can get one turned, threaded, chambered, and pretty much ready to install for under $250.00 in most contours, calibers, and sizes. There's nothing wrong with Douglas barrels.
