Rifle Barrell?

[Johnny reb]

If you were going to rebarell a gun in a.40 cal don't know if 416 458 or maybe 404 Jeffrey what Barrell would everyone use and why thanks

 

[enysse]

.404 Jeffrey, hands down. You can buy the other two everywhere but not the .404 Jeffrey.

They don't make an affordable factory bolt action rifle in the .404 Jeffrey, an don't even tell me about the CZ because I think for $2000+ it's way over priced.

 

[Johnny reb]

I should have worded this differntly if you have a shot out Barrell and were going too replace what Barrell manufacturer would you choose for a big bore rifle. But I agree a 404 would be nice

 

[James.Grage]

Shilen Rifle barrels

McGowen Precision Rifle barrels

Hart Rifle Barrels

And there are others out there.

You did not indicate what your budget would cover?

 

[Bert the Turtle]

PacNor also makes a good barrel.

 

[Johnny reb]

Thanks for replies just trying too figure out if any certain Barrell maker is better for big bore stuff because there's some that excell at bench rest and just trying too find out if there's any that excell at big bore

 

[Diamondhitch]

Im not sure about the big bore factor but I just had my Weatherby ultralight rebarreled in .257 WBY using a Lilja barrel and couldn't be happier, it is an absolute tack driver with every single load, powder and bullet I have thrown at it. I was told by the gunsmith (Rod at Corlanes - Rocky Mountain Rifles) that Pacnor barrels are a favorite of theirs and inherently accurate as well.

 

[sestoppelman]

.404 Jeffrey, hands down. You can buy the other two everywhere but not the .404 Jeffrey.

They don't make an affordable factory bolt action rifle in the .404 Jeffrey, an don't even tell me about the CZ because I think for $2000+ it's way over priced.

I beg to differ Eric. The CZ in .404 while well over 2k is worth it. Build a custom rifle in .404 with the same features as the Safari .404 and see what it costs. Fugetaboutit! The other Safari rifles they build in big bores dont usually have all the same features as the .404 and the .505's they build.

Douglas still builds good barrels too. A local guy is coming on strong now as well. Benchmark Barrels in Arlington, WA. Hearing a lot of good things about them.

 

[enysse]

I beg to differ Eric. The CZ in .404 while well over 2k is worth it. Build a custom rifle in .404 with the same features as the Safari .404 and see what it costs. Fugetaboutit! The other Safari rifles they build in big bores dont usually have all the same features as the .404 and the .505's they build.

Well custom guns in general go WAY OVER MY BUDGET, by 3x....but that is me, there is no reason they can't build a decent .404 Jeffrey for $1000.

 

[sestoppelman]

I totally agree. I just wish someone did!

 

[ikeda]

Douglas barrels have been around for years, and are the best value out there. I've re-barreled three different rifles using Douglas and I'm quite happy with them all.
two in 9.3x62 and a .458 Winchester.

 

[1ObsessedHunter]

Krieger!...all the time. I think they're the only barrel maker left to produce barrels with the single-point cut-rifling process. I also believe more matches are won with Krieger barrels than any other. They are the best there is. The others mentioned are vey good too....don't get me wrong. But, I think Krieger is at the top of the list.

 

[Just Passing Through]

Douglas

 

[Hogpatrol]

I have a smokeless muzzleloader in .45 caliber. It shoots a .40 caliber saboted bullet & will shoot MOA out to 400 yds. It is a Pac Nor & they are one of the top makers of these large bore barrels.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Thanks for replies just trying too figure out if any certain Barrell maker is better for big bore stuff because there's some that excell at bench rest and just trying too find out if there's any that excell at big bore

My 404 wears a PacNor. You can see the rifle and how it shoots on the thread I posted a few months ago. Should come up on a search.

I have a friend who is also a very good gunsmith. He specializes in long range target rifles and built what was (and may still be) the record holding F class rifle a few years back. I don't know what barrel that particular gun was built with, but when he built me a 30-06, he advised me to go with PacNor.

 

[DOC-404]

Im not sure about the big bore factor but I just had my Weatherby ultralight rebarreled in .257 WBY using a Lilja barrel and couldn't be happier, it is an absolute tack driver with every single load, powder and bullet I have thrown at it.

I have to agree, Dan Lilja does make superb barrels. I have used three of them, in .375, .308 and .22 lr. Have a look, at least - Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels

 

[drew416]

For an "off the shelf" barrel Pac-Nor are good. The older Walter-Lothar barrels are better again, but aren't consistent.
Some of the newer batches shoot good, others can't hold a group and foul tremendously. Must depend if the barrel was spat out on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday?

In Australia we have a bloke, Dennis Tobler, of RDT Products. He did a tremendous job on a Styer 98 action of mine. This is in .30/06 and will tack hole 5 shot groups at 100m all day long.

 

[ornery]

I have used them all. Depending on WHO is doing the work, every gunsmith has his preferences, contour, availability, quality, material. MY PERSONAL CHOICE...Douglas, Shilen, Hart. In that order, based upon everything in the mix.

 

[Spooksar]

I have 3 rifles built by Corlanes with PAC-Nor barrels all 3 shoot really well.

 

[Velo Dog]

Hola Amigos,

Back in the 1970s, Douglas, then Shillen (Spelling?) were all the rage, and I had one each rifles re-barreled with those, and they shot very well indeed.

However currently, by reputation, those 2 have not held their guilt-edge.

Therefore today, I would go with any of these following 3, not necessarily in any particular order: Lilja, Pac-Nor, Krieger.

All 3 have been consistently excellent performers (accuracy) for myself and several of my fellow OCD rifle enthusiasts.

I must clarify though that none of us are competition shooters, we're only hunters, plinkers and tinkerers.

If you want the name of the most consistently accurate blanks, consult as many serious Target Shooters that you can get to email you back an answer.

Cheerio,
Velo Dog.