Small Boree barrels

[Aj b]

I am looking for a new small bore barrel to replace my old one it was origanaly anshutz but i do not want another anshutz.(i have a left handed gun so dose that make a difference for the barrel) i would like to know a good brand to get. im also a girl so not to heave anything to heavy

[Guest]

I have heard and seen good things from lija barrels but they may require a tuner if you get a light barrel, or even just in general. It really all depends though you can get great anschutz barrels and good FWB and Wlather ones too.

[justadude]

Krieger also makes excellent barrels.

If you are looking to build a "ladies rifle" you would want a standard rifle barrel. A little smaller in diameter and a touch shorter.

Either Lilja or Krieger could help with selection.

'Dude

[BJ]

Benchmark, makes excellent barrels! You could get a reverse taper to cut down on the weight of the barrel. The benchrest guys like to use the reverse taper on their sporter class rifles because tuners are illegal for sporter. If you slug a straight taper barrel vs. a reverse taper you will notice that the reverse taper has a significantly tighter bore at the muzzle than a typical straight taper. This is supposed to help the barrel shoot better and mine is many times better than my original Anschutz factory barrel.

Brian

[mobarron]

I suggest you google "US rifle barrel makers." There are many in the US and among the smallbore community Hart, Benchmark, Lilja, Bartlein and a few others have excellent reputations. Most will turn a barrel to your preferences as far as diameter and length are concerned. The common thought here in the US is that the average rimfire barrel from these makers will be a better barrel than the average Anschutz, Walther etc. MIke Barron

[Guest_66]

Shilen is also worth having a look at.
In Europe, Walther Lothar and Border barrels are two pretty good ones, but I would personally go with one made in the U.S.

[westerngriz]

I would get a Benchmark 2 groove 16.5 twist.
matt

[justadude]

'griz

You seem really passionate about your 2 groove 16.5 twist benchmark.

Now the educator/researcher in me is kicking in. What is it about your particular combination that makes it stand out from all the others?

It may also be that this combination works very well for your action, favorite ammo and particular type of smallbore shooting but may be only only so so for something not very different.

I have the sad experience of two stainless barrels from the same noted barrel maker from a while back both installed by the same gunsmith. One it probably the best barrel I have the other the worst. For the money involved they should both shoot tens all by themselves.

I always recommend a shooter talk with the barrel maker about their application to select diameter, groove and twist and also getting recommendations on head space before taking the plunge.

I have my favorites but time has tempered me, I ask the manufacturer and application specialists before final selection of just about everything these days.

Just my two cents.

'Dude

[westerngriz]

Well to be truthful i am still shooting a factory anschutz barrel. But since I have a 2013 action i will eventually have multiple barrels for it. I think it would be easier to just buy 1 lot of ammo and find the barrel it likes.

Why Benchmark? They have a very even internal choke from breech to muzzle. And they are shooting very well in the benchrest game.

Why 2 groove? it seems like there would be less deformation of the bullet. but who knows, hell air rifles usually have 12 grooves. Does it really matter? I don't think so. Maybe a 3 or 5 groove would be good because there would be a land opposing a groove.

why 16.5 twist? wind drift. the slower the twist the less the wind drift (usually). But I dont want to get into the 17-17.5 twists because of keyholes in colder weather. a good alternative (on a 2013) would be to have two barrels. one slow twist for summer and one fast twist for winter.

Oh and did i mention that i like to be a little different than the norm? ;)
Matt