Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Brux or Bartlein ?

I would only go with Bartlein or Krieger barrels. Never anything else.. They are only 20 mi. down the road. Keeps it easy.

Crow, I'm planning on putting it on a Tikka 595 action (not 100% certain about this yet). I want to cut it down to 24", and probably wind up with a Micky Sako hunter stock. I have no idea what/where to send it to get the work done, but I've been wanting to do this for a while so I've started to piece it together.

JG, I honestly don't know who are the Tikka specialists. I would call Jon Beanland in Gould OK and pick his brain. If he can't do it then he'll know who to recommend.

Any popular smith is going to be a year out. That is why ordering a barrel and having to wait is generally a moot point.

That's not entirely true. Beanland took about 5 months to get to my last two builds but he's getting pretty well known now. Part of that was waiting on my action to come from Borden. There are some very good smiths that aren't really that well advertised that will turn one around quickly, especially if it's just a barreling/chambering job without any stock work. I know an extremely good BR smith that if I drop a remington 700 & parts off at his shop on Monday will have it done by Friday. Most of these guys fly under the radar, you just have to look for them. Unfortunately gunsmithing seems to be a profession where guys do more socializing and talking than actual work. I don't know why so many gunsmiths are such poor businessmen. The ones that can focus and run an efficient shop can turn out quality in a timely manner.

+1 about Mike!!! The best!!!

In defense of Kaleb, the smith is an important part of the equation.

Barrel makers sometimes have peaks and valleys in their production and quality. Occasionally the product isn't quite up to past reputation and the smith is generally the first to know.

Also, product warranty varies among makers, some easier to work with than others. The smith will have his finger on that pulse more than the consumer.

And, the smith's reputation is on the line as much as the barrel maker. So, a heart to heart discussion with your smith is, IMO, very important. If you insist on a brand he doesn't like, then he may have reason to throw some blame your way if all doesn't turn out as expected.

If you insist on Bartlein, for example, pick a smith who likes them, who has a good relationship with them. You're stacking the odds in your favor that your "plan will come together" without glitches.

DF

Excellent points fellas....thanks.

Good point.

But, JG's barrel choices are both in stock, ready to ship.

So, he needs to find a smith who is comfortable with this particular project.

DF

Krieger

unless he wants a SS barrel smaller than #5...

The ONLY thing for certain,in regards to The Do Nothing Gang is...that when it's all said and done,there will have been a fhuqk of a LOT more said,than done.

'Raider would be best served by more fences and a scattergun that patterned 00-Buck well,given her "demands". Laffin'!

One moment she waxes eloquent on her "hard charging" ways and the next,she's torn on which portion of the window to lick first. Bless her heart! The Tikka TURD Polish is fhuqking EPIC humor!!!

Wow.

Mebbe she'll muse boolits,glass and mounts next?!?

My fingers are fhuqking crossed!!!!!!

Laffin'!

I know Robert Gradous likes Krieger and Bartlien if that says anything...........

Boots is the king all else calmer too his every word. But smiths make guns shoot just helps having the right pipe for the job.

PS don't over twist. 😉

Brux if only because their service is better and they'll stand behind it if there's a problem. I'd go Rock if that's an option.

Bb

The high end custom stress relieved hand lapped barrel brands are all the same to me in a hunting situation.
But if a shooter BELIEVES the brand barrel he has is better, that may make a real difference.