what barrel ?????????

[tayhot]

I just finished a custom last week in 338 RUM. Went with a Benchmark barrel in sendero contor. 1x9.5 " twist and 28" long. I am more than please with the quality produced by Ron's shop. My vote is for Benchmark!

[Broz]

Originally Posted by Michael Eichele

Unless Derek is right about shilen improving, I would never concider a shilen. Douglas is OK but out for me as well.

I prefer Lilja and Hart in that order.

I have had a couple of kreigers and they shot like crap. It is worth mentioning that they were attached to weatherbies so who knows if it was the barrels or the overall gun. Either way, you couldn't give me either.

I have to agree with Michael, and toss in the thought of a Broughton 5C. In this order for the .338 Hart , Lilja, Broughton and be advised on the difference in rifling options. I like the 5 or 6 lands.

I am done with Kreiger too , but that is another story. And Michael, it is not the action or Chambering in my opinion.

Jeff

[B23]

My dad and I have Lilja barrels on everything and they have been top notch.

My latest project was a, as Shawn Carlock calls it a "mouse gun", in 223AI. Shawn built it so I went with his recommendation and used a Hart. I couldn't be happier with it!!! Shawn shot it at his shop with some factory store bought Hornady Superformance 53Vmax ammo that were just fireforming rounds and he shot a .116 with it. I've never used Hart barrels before and I still love my Lilja barreled stuff but I think I may use a few more Hart's in the future.

My dad has a 6-06AI in the the works with Kevin Cram W/MCR that will be wearing a new Broughton 5C. Have only heard good things about Broughton but only time will tell.

As of right now, I'd go with another Hart as my first choice but mostly because I only have one Hart and a bunch of Lilja's. Based on my experience, you can't go wrong with either Hart or Lilja.

[Brambles]

Originally Posted by tayhot

I just finished a custom last week in 338 RUM. Went with a Benchmark barrel in sendero contor. 1x9.5 " twist and 28" long. I am more than please with the quality produced by Ron's shop. My vote is for Benchmark!

curious to hear a range report from your rifle, I too have chosen a 9.5 twist benchmark barrel, mine has 5R rifling and is fluted, 28" is also my chosen length.

[Derek M.]

Originally Posted by Michael Eichele

Unless Derek is right about shilen improving, I would never concider a shilen.

I'll let you know sometime this summer. Just ordered 2 actions and they are on their way to my builder. I'm mailing him 2 barrels. A 7mm Shilen to build a 280 and a .277 Krieger for yet another of my favorites, the 270 Win.

My builder said that when he ordered a bunch of Shilens in 2003 they were among the best bbls he's used and the rifles were winning a lot of competitions. I got mine around the same time.

Both are what Tony Boyer refers to as "hummers." They shoot very very well.

The 270 and 280 will wear identical actions and stocks and will be built by the same guy.

[Derek M.]

Lilja uses Carpenter steel.

My former builder who retired (who also built barrels) recommended Lilja after he sold his company until he had a couple of problems with a few barrels. Guess it didn't work out well and then he started using Hart. To this day, that is who he recommends.

Don't really think you'll be unhappy with either, but for now, my money will go to Hart on a button bbl and Krieger or Bartlein for cut. Unless I can get an Obermeyer!

[tayhot]

Originally Posted by Brambles

curious to hear a range report from your rifle, I too have chosen a 9.5 twist benchmark barrel, mine has 5R rifling and is fluted, 28" is also my chosen length.

I did an initial post with a few bullets and powder. My barrel specs are pretty much the same as yours. I was hoping mybullet powder combo would like retumbo, but it does not. It shoots better with 93 gr h1000. Using ttsx 265gr

It seemed like it was fouling really bad after the first round of cleaning and it had me concerned, but once it broke in, it's easy to clean. I've been very impressed. I'll post a pic of the rig here in a bit on another thread