tjwking Report post Posted March 25, 2011 Hey guys, I'm wanting to start a rifle build and I have some questions. I know what glass, trigger and stock. My problem is picking a barrel and a local gunsmith. I know I want either a hart, krieger or shilen barrel. but I'm really stuck on what gunsmith to use. I'm wanting to make a rifle my wife and I can use for long range hunting, out to 400-500 yards. any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Craig Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted March 25, 2011 I used hart on my rem 700 and did not need a smith. I had them do most of the work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azgutpile Report post Posted March 25, 2011 Look into purchasing a Schneider Barrel, they are made in Payson. If you do a little research you will find that they are up there with the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youngbuck Report post Posted March 25, 2011 I called Gary Schneider, he wasn't the most helpful guy Ive ever talked too. I have heard good things about his barrels though. I don't know near as much as some guys on this forum, but I've been researching for a few years now. I've heard the same thing about Hart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azhuntnut Report post Posted March 25, 2011 Check out Bruno's shooters supply off of central ave just south of Deer Valley. They probably have everything you need to build a rifle. Or you could buy one already built from them. David http://www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=BSS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted March 25, 2011 I know a lot of people are not too impressed with Shilen barrels as they are among the lower end of custom barrels BUT both of my custom rifles (270 wsm and 257 wby) wore Shilen barrels and shot very well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted March 25, 2011 A friend of mine that bought a barrel from Gary Schneider in payson and it has been the worst experince ever. But I have also heard he does have a great barrel. We have a another friend that had a rifle built from Schneider and it shoots awesome. I was disapointed in how he treated my friend that bought the barrel from him. I delt with Karren Hart at Hart barrels and she was more than helpful with my rifle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
308Nut Report post Posted March 25, 2011 You can add me to the list that does not care for shilen barrels. Shilen can put out a great barrel. They can also turn out a turd. They still sell them instead of scrapping them. Their very best barrels that turn out with the best tolerences go to well known BR and match shooters. The rest go to you and I. Of the 3 you listed, it would be hard to beat either a Hart or a Kreiger. I have only had one Kreiger and that rifle did not shoot worth a crap. I dont know that it was the barrel though. I suspected that there were other factors at play. My vote goes to Hart though. Very good people to deal with and top notch barrels. The only 3 barrels I really care about is Lilja, Hart and Bartlein. Not than others are sub standard just that a guy can get overloaded with all of the great choices. Those 3 have some of the best reputations in the industry. After using some of them, I understand why the good reputations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youngbuck Report post Posted March 25, 2011 A friend of mine that bought a barrel from Gary Schneider in payson and it has been the worst experince ever. But I have also heard he does have a great barrel. We have a another friend that had a rifle built from Schneider and it shoots awesome. I was disapointed in how he treated my friend that bought the barrel from him. I was kinda hoping I was the only one, because Ive heard really good thing about his work. As for the gunsmith question, one local smith that has built some rigs for my buddies is Whitecloud. Ive never seen any of his work or talked to him, but he is a local guy who does LR builds. When I was planning my build I opted for a smith out of Utah, by 308's suggestion. He answered all of my questions and was super helpfull. Really nice guy who was easy to talk to. When I finaly decide to have one built, that is who I will go with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjwking Report post Posted March 25, 2011 Thank you guys for all the great info and help. I appreciate it very much. Craig Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.270 Report post Posted March 25, 2011 kodiak precision in mesa. but he only installs schnieders. excellent work. spendy, but if you're gonna spend a bunch to start with, just as well get it done real good. Lark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjwking Report post Posted March 25, 2011 Has anybody had any work done by Dan Pedersen from classic barrel works up in prescott? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
308Nut Report post Posted March 25, 2011 Has anybody had any work done by Dan Pedersen from classic barrel works up in prescott? Mike Degerness at ABS barrels had Danny bore out and re-rifle my 300 RUM barrel to 338. He did a fair job. I say fair because when barrels are 'cut rifled' the are pretty rough. They are then lapped smooth. When dealing with an existing finished barrel, they cannot be lapped without major risk of damage to the end of each end of the barrel. It was pretty rough when I got it back but I will say that it broke in fairly well. In the end, he did a decent job for what he had to work with. I was a little dissapointed in the way he touched up the crown and while the neck was re-cut from the throat to the shoulder concentric, it was a tad rough as well. All that said, the barrel shoots very well. I did have a local smith re-cut the crown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted March 26, 2011 I think you should pick your gunsmith first and ask him for a preference in barrels. First choice would be Ron Nichols in Holbrook(Nichols Outdoorsman-worth the drive at 3.50/gallon)-very user friendly. Derrick Martin at Accuracy Speaks is real good and personally won the Wimbledon 1000yd trophy-but not real user friendly(hope he doesn't read this....). an o. nymous +2 Nichols in Holbrook did some work on my old 300 RUM, he's a nice guy and does excellent work! I have a Model seven Im taking up to him to rebarrel when I get back in the area. Whitecloud gunsmithing as well is excellent, He put a muzzle break on a one of my rifles. I have a friend of mine Gilbert that is putting on muzzle brakes for around $140.00. That includes a brake and labor. He has a everthing in his garage and has done alot work and brakes. Just works from word of mouth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjwking Report post Posted March 26, 2011 I think you should pick your gunsmith first and ask him for a preference in barrels. /quote] The only problem is trying to find a reputable gunsmith. I've read reviews on a ton of smiths. but its just like everything else, you can read 10 reviews that are great and then read 10 reviews that say that smith sucks. this rifle build is my first one, and I just want to make sure I'm going to right person. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
