New barrel recommendations

[JBpooh]

Morning folks.

I'm looking at using my Model 11 Hog Hunter .308 action and replacing the barrel with a 6.5CM barrel to reach out there a little further more consistently.
I ordered the new nut, recoil lug, wrench, and go gauge already.

Question is what brand barrel do you have experience with and would recommend.
I don't see an option to make a poll on here so just list whatever you recommend in the comment section please.

I have talked to Krieger and they are out of stock with no build date in sight so that option is out.
I've looked at the Criterion, Pac-Nor, Proof, X-Caliber, Preferred, McGowen, etc. There's just so many options out there.

[pdog06]

Call Northland Shooter Supply and pick up a Criterion or a Shilen. Most likely he will have both in stock. You cannot go wrong with either.

[jimreed1948]

I recently went with a barrel from the urbanrifleman. Give him a call and tell what you're wanting to do and he'll fix you up.

I'm very happy with my barrel and I would buy another one from him if needed. He uses Wilson barrels. Below is a 1" dot at 100 yards.

6BR, 1-8 twist, 24" barrel, 90gr Lapua

[JBpooh]

I recently went with a barrel from the urbanrifleman. Give him a call and tell what you're wanting to do and he'll fix you up.

I'm very happy with my barrel and I would buy another one from him if needed. He uses Wilson barrels. Below is a 1" dot at 100 yards.

6BR, 1-8 twist, 24" barrel, 90gr Lapua

I checked on the site and he doesn't list 6.5 CM, only 6 CM unfortunately.

[Dave Hoback]

All the big names you know are super high quality. They all provide accuracy potential as good as anyone here or anywhere else can shoot. You aren’t going to see any discernible accuracy difference between a Krieger & Criterion or a Bartlein & Shilen. James at NSS is well known here. He stocks many Criterion & Shilen. You can also order one with features he may not stock. But, if you do that, prepare for a wait. I have used a Shilen for years. Great barrel. I recently ordered a new barrel from James that he didn’t stock. That was April 26. A Criterion, and I’m still waiting for it. It’s like that anywhere you order right now. But I would about guarantee he has 6.5CM in stock. Still… in the end, you should go with what YOU want. I didn’t mind waiting because I wanted something specific. But I’ve been doing this for many years.

[charlie b]

....They all provide accuracy potential as good as anyone here or anywhere else can shoot. You aren’t going to see any discernible accuracy difference between a Krieger & Criterion or a Bartlein & Shilen.....

That may apply to you and me, but, I bet Fuj and a few others might disagree :)

I bought a Shilen for my 6BR (from NSS, great people). It does shoot better than I do. Today it was only 1/2MOA at 200yd and 2/3MOA at 600yd.

My next one will probably end up being a Shilen only because of the wait time at Bartlein, Kreiger, and the others.

[GrenGuy]

Bartlein and Kreiger are definitely top tier. If you can shoot the difference and need it. That’s part of the reason for the long wait. And the expense.

[Dave Hoback]

That may apply to you and me, but, I bet Fuj and a few others might disagree :)

I bought a Shilen for my 6BR (from NSS, great people). It does shoot better than I do. Today it was only 1/2MOA at 200yd and 2/3MOA at 600yd.

My next one will probably end up being a Shilen only because of the wait time at Bartlein, Kreiger, and the others.

The only difference in opinion was is the belief that Cut rifling is somehow better than Button rifling. This is a myth with the only evidence being handed down by the people making them & then spoken by those who buy them. It’s the same “evidence” spoken by those who think a Forged knife is somehow stronger, LOL! (And I’m not comparing Forged vs Casting so please don’t interject that argument anyone.) Shilen held many records for years & years. Don’t get me wrong, I love Bartlien barrels. And I wouldn’t expect Fuj’ to switch because he does his own from blanks. But I’m speaking of Pre-Fits here. I just don’t believe the hype of one rifling over another using Prefits. Same as I don’t believe in playing with different screw torque settings. The shooter & Reloading beat out both. The very TOP shooters in the world will beat anyone here regardless if they are using a Bartlein, Shilen, Kreiger, Criterion… PacNor, and a few others. Yes, there are a few highly skilled shooters here…. Even so, none are among the best in the world. That’s all I was saying. But hey, if someone wants to pay the extra for Cut Rifling, more power to ‘em! But I’ve researched quite enough for myself to be very comfortable not spending the extra money.

[pdog06]

I recently went with a barrel from the urbanrifleman. Give him a call and tell what you're wanting to do and he'll fix you up.

I'm very happy with my barrel and I would buy another one from him if needed. He uses Wilson barrels. Below is a 1" dot at 100 yards.

6BR, 1-8 twist, 24" barrel, 90gr Lapua

I also just bought a 6br barrel from Brad a couple months ago. He does really nice work and currently has only a 3 week turnaround. He uses Wilson blanks for those that don’t know. I’m shooting Varget and 105Amax Thru mine, and with just using my load from my old barrel it shoots outstanding, so for now I’ve left it alone since the bullets are no longer made and hard to find.
I didn’t mention him cause I hadn’t seen him turn out any 6.5’s yet, but if interested it may be worth a call. He may have the reamer.
Over on the Accurateshooter site he is a sponsor and has a “testimonial thread going for him and the customers to show them off.

[big honkin jeep]

Find a factory takeoff in your preferred length and contour.
Spend the rest on ammo.
If you need to get out further than a .308 , one of the most versitile cartridges on the planet, Then you've got a lot better eyes and telescopic sights than me.

[Whynot]

Other than McGowen- it looks like a good list..... they are best avoided.

[JBpooh]

Find a factory takeoff in your preferred length and contour.
Spend the rest on ammo.
If you need to get out further than a .308 , one of the most versitile cartridges on the planet, Then you've got a lot better eyes and telescopic sights than me.

I already have a Model 10 LE with choate stock in .308 that I use now. Down side to it is it doesn't have a threaded barrel so I can't put a compensator on it. I want something more flatter shooting and has better consistency at 1k+ yards. The .308 hog hunter I'm retiring I've actually never shot. Got it on a trade so figured I'd convert it over to something I didn't have yet.