Selecting a Gun Barrel Manufacturer - Machine Underground -Tractor & Commercial Equipment Discussion Forum

**gunmaker** · 11-29-2007, 09:17 PM

This information is intended more specifically for target rifle shooters wishing to re-barrel a rifle, and looking to choose a barrel.
There are several good barrel manufacturers, Douglas, Kreiger, Shilen, Badger, Green Mountain, Ron Smith, the list goes on from there. While these are among the most common there are many others some of questionable quality, a few of extraordinary quality. There is one thing I have found to be a generality in regards to all barrels; the vast majority of all barrels by all manufacturers are capable of accuracy exceding the ability of the shooter.
Many people pay a lot more money for the name of the manufacturer, than they will ever realize in performance enhancements. There are the occasional 'bad' barrels, which have a manufacturing defect, or some other trait that renders them 'inaccurate' by any standards. In any case, I have found, and by discussion with others of experience agree, that the rate of any discernable defect in a barrel is probably in the one in a thousand category. Considering the vast quantities these manufacturers produce, it is probably much better than that.
There are however, a discernable few shooters whose marksmanship stands out as exceptional among those skilled to be considered marksman. These shooters, are the ones who consistently shoot the '300's', or '250's', and the competetion is counted amongst the number of bulls shot over several rounds. These shooters choose their barrel manufacturers, and they do so because they understand and can explain the characteristic of the barrel they need, and why it is important to their skill. There are also many skilled shooters who, through much practice improve their skills, and the purchase of a barrel from a manufacturer of special reputation might allow them that extra advantage to go from 299's to 300's.
Then there's the rest of us, 99% of all the shooters out there, who will shoot as well with one good quality barrel as another.
The point I seek to make is that, practice improves the skill and the score much, much more than the manufacturers name on the barrel.

Mickey · 12-01-2007, 05:54 PM

Your post on barrels got me to thinking. The history channel is running a couple shows on shooting and marksmanship and they showed a German musket from the 18th century with a 10 foot long barrel. How'd you like to try something like that?

If you get the chance, try and catch these 2 shows. You'll see things you wouldn't believe. Think the titles are the shooters.

**gunmaker** · 12-01-2007, 07:19 PM

Excellent show, I've been fortunate to see some of them. These old guns you refer to were called fowling pieces or punt guns depending on their use, time period etc.. With those long barrels they were able to reach out and touch. Imagine sitting in a small boat, and having to manuever this gun to bring home dinner!

Mickey · 12-01-2007, 10:46 PM

As inaccurate as smooth bores are, I wonder how much help these supper long barrels were?

Don't recall all the names of these marksman but what they were doing leaves one in awe. One fellow was a speed shooter but was also very accurate as well. One of his demos was using 2 revolvers shooting into a single target, had 12 shoots on target in .9 sec and your hand would cover the whole pattern. Also showed some film of a fellow that was likely best shot with a shotgun. Downed 7 hand tossed clays and hit them all while in the air and was using a pump gun. Also saw this same fellow toss 2 clays and hit both using 2 different guns. He tossed the clays hit the first one, tossed the gun aside and picked up another gun and hit the 2nd clay.

You'll need to watch to see for yourself for other unbelievable demonstrations of marksmanship.