I had an old tang safety Ruger M77 7mm rem mag that was built during the time period they were using Wilson barrels. I remember the rifle cost me $199 new and I know I spent at least three times that amount in reloading components trying to find a load that would shoot through it. It was good for about 3" groups at 100 yds, 2 1/2" groups if it was a real good day. I tried every manner of bullet, seating depth, powder, primer combination you could think of and that what she would do. Finally I had it rebarreled and all of a sudden it shot! I couldn't believe it, up until that time I was of the mind that I just had to find a load it liked. That started my foray into custom barrels.
Depending upon what work you're having done and what type of rifle it's being done to, a rebarrel job is going to cost at least $250 in gunsmith charges. You can spend $200 on a Wilson and take your chances, or you could spend $325 (butch's reloading price) on a Bartlein. In the end you're looking at $450 vs. $575. With one you get a questionable unlapped barrel that may or may not shoot, the other you get a top of the line barrel that may or may not shoot BUT I know where my bet would be placed as to which one will perform. You pay your money and take your chances but going with a cheap *Rule 4 Violation* barrel just to save 20% on a barreling job is penny wise and pound foolish in my opinion.
I was dead serious when I said find another gunsmith. If one tried to talk me into a Wilson instead of a Kreiger I'd thank him for his time, gather my rifle and go find a gunsmith with more of an eye for quality. If he thinks that's "good enough" for my rifle then what kind of work is he going to do on it? If his standard is that low in components then I doubt his standard for his own work is any better. I have rifles built because I want better than I can get from the factory, not the same. I want a gunsmith that's a perfectionist, not one with a "that's good enough" attitude.
