Lothar Walther barrel reviews?

[ohiohunter]

I haven't been able to find any recent comments on LW barrels. I have found mixed reviews that are 5yrs+ ago. Has anyone had any recent experiences they would like to share? thanks.

 

[Varberger757]

I only know about Walther barrels from the European point of view. If we're going to customize guns we use primarily Lothar Walther. First class quality in molychrome and stainless, most contours and lengths. A lot of championships were won with these barrels, also currently. Surely no mistake if one of Walther's is going to be yours. Have you visited their website? gun)

 

[ohiohunter]

I have been to their website. I just haven't read enough for me to make a sound investment in their barrels. This is going to be a 308 that I hope to be a one holer (or close). So far I haven't read anything impressive about these barrels and Im begining to veer away from the thought, but I don't want to give up on them just yet.

 

[pikeon]

I've owned three and they were all top notch. Very accurate, super smooth, and easy to clean. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Varberger757]

I've owned three and they were all top notch. Very accurate, super smooth, and easy to clean. You won't be disappointed.

+! Nothing to add. gun)

 

[liltank]

I currently own a 28" SS Lothar barrel. It is a very good barrel. I have produced many groups that measured between .116 (smallest at 100 yards.) and a 1.5" group at 718yds. I have head shots on ground hogs at 632 and most recently 683yds. I shot 10" group with an untested load at 1050yds. I started hitting steel and was just jazzed I kept hitting it. I then measured it later and measured around 10 inches. It's been a very good barrel. I was going to set it up and try my hand at f-class but life happened. Hope this helps your decision. It is on a model12 savage vlp action.

 

[Edd]

Here is a quote from Chad Dixon.

Barrels manufactured by Lothar Walther will not be used under any circumstance.

 

[liltank]

Here is a quote from Chad Dixon.

Who's Chad Dixon?

 

[Edd]

He is a Gunsmith and rifle maker. His company name is Long Rifles Inc..

 

[ohiohunter]

Was he commenting on the quality/accuracy or the fact that LW uses harder steel and will ruin tools if not smithed correctly?

 

[Edd]

Was he commenting on the quality/accuracy or the fact that LW uses harder steel and will ruin tools if not smithed correctly?

I think he doesn't like the way it machines. I can remember other times he has been critical of them. I believe he once worked for a company that used them.

 

[Trickymissfit]

I think he doesn't like the way it machines. I can remember other times he has been critical of them. I believe he once worked for a company that used them.

I don't remember exactly, but Walter either used 17PH-4 rearc melt stainless steel or 18-5 rearc melt. Neither one is fun to machine, and takes a pretty good machine to do it right. Plus the tooling is a bitch on a good day. MAR-10 is pretty much the samething as 17ph-4, and this stuff is extremely tough to work with. On the otherhand they don't have all the issues that 416 has.
gary

 

[Varberger757]

Things I'm reading here about LW barrels make me at least wonder. It sounds quite strange to me when a (credited) smith is negatively positioned towards brilliant steel quality. Just because he has problems working with it properly. Normally it should be the other way round, shouldn't it? Here in Norway custom gunmakers use mostly two types of barrels and one is for sure LW because of its outstanding quality for reasonable prices. Don't forget, every year a couple of shooting contests are won by shooters using LW bbl', that much has to be said due to credibility!

 

[FEENIX]

Things I'm reading here about LW barrels make me at least wonder. It sounds quite strange to me when a (credited) smith is negatively positioned towards brilliant steel quality. Just because he has problems working with it properly. Normally it should be the other way round, shouldn't it? Here in Norway custom gunmakers use mostly two types of barrels and one is for sure LW because of its outstanding quality for reasonable prices. Don't forget, every year a couple of shooting contests are won by shooters using LW bbl', that much has to be said due to credibility!

I agree! To note that the material is harder to machine is OK but to make such a bold statement/recommendation not to use it is another story.

Here is a quote from Chad Dixon.

Quote:
Barrels manufactured by Lothar Walther will not be used under any circumstance.

Obviously, other gunsmith/rifle builders are not having the same problem, checkout this thread from another forum >>> Lothar Walther barrels, esp. #14.