Best barrel for your buck

[ShootnMathews]

I know this is like asking if a Ford or Chevy is better, but which barrel company makes a great Shooting barrel for a fair price. In other words who makes accurate match barrels for a price that won't break the bank. I'm thinking of doing another build for out to 1000 yards. They're many companies that make barrels that accurate with prices that vary all over the board. So who would you reccomend??

[farmerboy78]

I have a Bartlein, it's stupid accurate and very very consistent

[Grimstod]

Bartlein and Kreiger are the top shooters, and also the top $ barrels right now. Shilon is really cheep and Green mountain makes some good toobs.

[ShootnMathews]

Thanks for the help guys

[jaysny87]

I have no personal experience with them but ive heard nothing but good about Bartlein. I had a conversation with a fella at the range about his not long ago and he swore by them.

What are you planning on building? a mosin?

[Grindl]

I know this is a really old Topic , but I now have educated information to contribute to this , after four years of shooting F-class . Both Open ,and TR . I just replaced my Mosin's 26" Kreiger 5r with a Bartlein MTU 30" 5r . The Kreiger was a excellent barrel for 600 yrd competition , and it took me to 2nd in class at the SWN a couple years ago . But ; a 30" barrel is almost a requirement for 1,000 yards , to even consider being competitive . The reason is simple . A Mosin must shoot in the "Open" class , and you would be shooting against 300WM , 7MM-SAUM's and other high velocity , flatter shooting rifles . Marksmanship skills can only overcome so much ballistic advantage . Or dis-advantage , depending on your perspective .

My F-TR .308 Kelby carried a 30" 1-10x4groove Brux from the factory . A outstanding barrel that lost it's accuracy after 5,350 rounds of competition . It totaled 5,600 before I could change it out . It was replaced with a 30" Kreiger 1-10 , 5r , and it is right back into the high 190's . The last three relay's in a local club match at 500 yrds. were : 198 , 197 , 199 in order . And X count is just above 50% . If the operator was a little better , the X count would be higher . I'm starting to fall Big Time for that Bartlein . Shot my highest 1,000 yrd score ever the first time out . A 196 - 9x . So...Bartlein , Brux , Kreiger , and I'll add Criterion . They make beautiful , hand-lapped barrels , for a reasonable price. As a highly ranked champion told me ; "Son , Buy all the points you can get , cause you have to earn all the rest". There ain't no such thing as a Accurate Long Range "cheap" barrel .

[Fung_13]

I'm a novice in this language. Can you dumb it down? What does the 5r relate to and what's the x factor you mentioned? Sorry, just trying to educate myself. Thanks!

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[Fung_13]

I'm a novice in this language. Can you dumb it down? What does the 5r relate to and what's the x factor you mentioned? Sorry, just trying to educate myself. Thanks!

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Or a good trusted source to look up.

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[Grindl]

Some years ago , a Russian developed a barrel configuration that had five lands and grooves instead of the , then common four . After some experimentation the five "Lands" were radiused , and the "squared" corners taken off . This appeared to significantly improve accuracy , and reduce break-in time , along with the barrel being both easier , and faster to clean . Thus the designation 5r , or 5-radiused (lands) . When this barrel style first came to the U.S. , most thought it stood for 5-russian . Not correct . A famous gunsmith / shooter brought the 5r style to this country in the late 50's/ early sixties , and dominated in his discipline for several years . Currently ; Brian Blake , of Blake Barrels in Phoenix is turning out a 6r style barrel , believing the 6 lands reduce pressure and drag on the bullet . And his barrels are winning many events throughout the country , by top shooters . I know this to be true because the guys , and Ladies are beating me .

Regarding "X" count . F-class targets have the usual scoring rings as other targets , with one exception . The "Center" ring , or Bullseye is called the "X"-Ring . It is 1 MOA in diameter , in relation to the distance being shot . A 600 yard F target for the TR , or Open class has a X-ring of approximately 3" in diameter . About 5" in diameter for "Sling" shooters . Just like the 10 Ring , it also has a point value of 10 points for score , but it is also used to designate a Match winner .
Example : Two shooters tie in score after 3 relays of 20 shots for record . Both shooters score a matching 598 out of a possible 600 points . The scorekeepers then count shots within the "X" ring to determine the Match . The higher "X" count is determined the winner . It is extremely difficult to shoot a 200 - 20X , "perfect" score , but it does happen more than most think . I've managed to accomplish this feat four times in five years , and once during a certified NRA Match . To put that in perspective ; I've fired over 40,000 rounds in both practice and competition , during that period . And my wife is asking if I want my mail sent to Ben Avery .