The barrel is the cheapest piece of the puzzle. There generally isn't $100 difference in price,within the Makes thus far mentioned.
Exactly, so why not just buy the best available?
Benchrest guys do not use douglas barrels because they are the best going or even comparable with the better makes. As with many things you pay for what you get.
BTW not to name drop, but my smith is in the BHOF or has guns in it( I cant recall which). I wouldnt call him a lemming at all and he is not a BS'er either. When he builds hunting guns his first choice is Lilja, for bench guns Lilja, Broughton and Krieger. He along with many other quality smiths do not have anything good to say about Douglas.
BTW I dont have anything against a guy building a budget gun, but call a spade a spade. Douglas is a lower eschelon barrel maker. Cast in this light why not just go with a Adams & Bennet, which is much cheaper than most barrels?
