Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats X Caliber barrels

It's time to re barrel one of my rifles and a local gun smith is recommending an X Caliber barrel but I've had no experience with them. It's going to be an 8 twist 243 24". What are guys thoughts on these barrels?

I put the same barrel on my kids .243 (stainless). Shot fine with factory Fusion ammo 1"-. Haven't rung it out yet with hand loads but... I live in the Flathead Valley where X-Caliber is located and have been to their operation. Seems to be clean and well organized.

I'll be curious where this thread goes in that I'm interested in getting a barrel from them as well. Seems like their prices are very fair. Lots of fluting options too, if you're into that.

Tagged. Thinking of ordering one of these for a 223 build.

I'm thinking of using a savage drop in for a creedmoor build.

Are they button rifled or cut rifled?

Pretty sure X-caliber are buttoned. I've heard a lot of good things about them in the smaller bores but not a lot of reports for 6mm and larger. I don't know of a cut rifled barrel available for less than $300 other than from a re-borer and they are starting with your material.

FYI - they have a February sale going on. buy one, get the second 1/2 off if you order on line.

I almost ordered one for a 35 whelen project a few months ago. That pricing makes it hard to turn down

I only have experience with one. I have a Ruger American 223 that just wouldn't shoot. I got an Excaliber barrel, threaded and chambered it and now it shoots fantastic. I should add that I also changed the stock and trigger. Could have had a Kimber for what I got in this thing.
The barrel showed zero flaws in the bore when I scoped it. You would have to buy a Shilen select or Pac-Nor super match to see a bore that looks this good. All that said, I am not shooting hot loads and I am already seeing what looks like throat erosion. It is slight and the rifle still shoots perfect, but I probably only have 250 rounds through this barrel. The 223 is not generally known to be a barrel burner...that's one of the biggest reasons the Army selected it. I always have heard stories of certain brands of barrels being "soft"...back in the 80's many people said that about Shilen. It seems like 416 stainless is 416 stainless. But there is the issue of heat treatment and also knowing for certain that what they ordered from the mill is really that alloy. I have been told that Bartlein is the only barrel maker that pays for and gets the steel certificate from the mill.

Only through Feb 14. I did a mock order and the shipping on two sporter barrels was $60!(I guess is is $30 flat shipping per barrel). Ouch, I'll pass on that.