Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Opinions on Krieger Barrels?

Anyone have experience or advise on Krieger(not the Criterion brand)? I am looking to build a 223 AI on a Remington action. Probably 1 in 8 or 1 in 9 twist.

Krieger simply dominates the benchrest circuit.

Should answer your question......

Thanks for the info. Funny you should mention the Benchrest circuit as Krieger was recommended to me by a BR shooter. So, what is it that makes them dominate? Rifling process? Quality control?

I have two and both of those rifles have shot very well right from the fire-forming.

Yup, quality control and consistancy, year after year.

Just one lowly cautionary note - I had one Krieger for a customer that he simply could not get to shoot. Nothin' worked, and it wasn't a spindly barrel either - it was a #8 contour.... He finally gave up, round-filed the Krieger and had me install a Lilja.. That cured THAT!

But I mention it only because ANY barrel maker can have a turd leave the bowl.. I would have NO issue with obtaining another Krieger at all..

Krieger is first rate! I would use them exclusively if they offered stainless barrels in contours that are appropriate for a hunting rifle.

Krieger or Bartlein.

If you are going 223AI, I would not consider a 1:9. Go 1:8 - the bullet options are much better with this twist rate

Agreed. A #4 contour in 270 should end there, not start there.

I have both Krieger and Bartlain, both excellent barrels I would buy either.

A quick look at the LV equipment list for that last NBRSA group equipment list will show 14 Bartlain and 6 Kriegers out of the top 20.
LV Equipment list hard to go wrong.

Nothing wrong with Broughton either.

What 3 through 5 contours in stainless aren't acceptable for hunting what are you looking for? In my opinion their barrel weights are right in line with what I'd request in their list? I'm not a noodle barrel person.

I was thinking #5 contour. My Remington sporter measures .656 at the muzzle. Looks like the Krieger #5 contour is .700 at 26". I would most likely cut and crown to 24" so I am figuring a little over .700. If I remember correctly, they do offer stainless in this contour.

Dwight Scott chambered 7 of the top 20 finishes, 25 of the field had Scott as the gunsmith for 80 shooters, he told me 2nd place was not correct as he smithed Jack Nearys rifle also. I just had this discussion with him on the issue Krieger vs Bartlein, he ordered me a new barrel. His explanations, like always, very much from his vast experience.

I have a Krieger barrel one on my .338-06 (chromoly). It has given me well over 10 years of service and continues to shoot very well. My only beef with Krieger is their lack of smaller contours offered in stainless, already mentioned by Huntr.

What are you planning to do with you .223 AI? Is it meant to be a sporter weight, walking varminer? If so, a #5 is a bit much, IMO, and so is 24" of barrel length.

I have a Bartlein 1-8 twist on one of my .223AI's. When ordered, I asked them to duplicate the Remington Magnum contour, in an attempt to duplicate the 22" LVSF barrel. My Bartlein measures .680" at the muzzle. It's a bit heavier than I wanted or expected, even with fairly aggressive flutes. The total rifle weighs about 8 pounds, with a McM classic stock & 3.5-10x. She's the bottom rifle:


For comparison, my factory LVSF measures .650" and my .223 Montana and 7mm-08 Ti both measure .560" at the muzzle. All have the same barrel length, 22 inches. My #4 Krieger measures .660" at 23 inches.

I think a .223AI with a #5 contour at 24" would be a muzzle heavy set-up. If you're looking for sporter weight, I'd stick with something no larger than a #3.

In .308 caliber, Krieger's minimum is a #5 contour! .700 muzzle diameter is nothing that I am going to carry all day in the mountains!

Tim,

Which barrel did you go with?

Dan in AK,

Thanks for the info. You've given me some food for thought. Nice looking pair of rifles. I'm really hoping to end up around 9 pounds. This rifle would be used primarily for groundhog hunting or some day I hope to try PD hunting. I have 2 LW rifles already; a Weatherby Custom Outfitter in 270 Win and Kimber Montana in 223 Rem. Looking to build my 1st mid-weight custom.

You are an exception.

Krieger....