International Barrels my experience

BLACKBRIAR said:
Of the two barrels I have I am 50/50. The first barrel (6.5 CM) was great right out of the box. Which prompted me to order another barrel. I ordered a .308 barrel and currently have issue with it. The throat is short. I measured max COAL with Hornady 168 ELD-M. Max measure is 2.770" not jammed but firmly seated in the throat. So approx .030 short of the recommended 2.800" Same issue when I tried 168 SST still can't reach spec COAL. Still waiting to hear back from them.
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I don't see that as a problem.... Plus, having a slightly shorter COAL isn't a bad thing. What the reloading book mentions is that to have a cartridge load properly in a mag it should be no longer than 2.800 but that also depends on the mag you use, the bullet you use and everything else. But it doesn't necessarily mean it "needs" to be that length.

I reload for my .308 with a COAL longer than 2.800 even though the reloading book says the max is 2.800. Loading for the same "off the lands" will give a different COAL depending on the bullet I use also.
 
BLACKBRIAR said:
Of the two barrels I have I am 50/50. The first barrel (6.5 CM) was great right out of the box. Which prompted me to order another barrel. I ordered a .308 barrel and currently have issue with it. The throat is short. I measured max COAL with Hornady 168 ELD-M. Max measure is 2.770" not jammed but firmly seated in the throat. So approx .030 short of the recommended 2.800" Same issue when I tried 168 SST still can't reach spec COAL. Still waiting to hear back from them.
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I wouldn't worry about spec OAL.

What ultimately matters is how the rifle shoots. Does it shoot good? If so, then non-issue. If the short throat is preventing you from getting rounds that want to shoot, then it's worth further investigating.

If the throat appears short due to a dull/worn out reamer being used, that could also present issues, such as in the form of pressure. Keep an eye out for early pressure issues, and if you do encounter any, that would also be worth reaching out to them to correct.
 
Might be a little late but would love to voice my support for ibi. I only have one barrel but it’s been by far one of my best shooting rifles. I’ve had Krieger, mcgowan and a shillen and I’ll be going back to ibi for my next one.
 
I was looking at a barrel for my tikka 22-250 . the pre-fit looks interesting . 1 in 8 twist.
 
I recently bought five barrels from IBI. I scope every barrel that comes into the shop and the internal finish on these was as good as any other barrel I have used. The barrels appear to be well stress relieved and there is no warpage when re-contouring. The only complaint I have is their marriage to the five groove configuration. Nonetheless, I think they are a very good choice if one is looking for a quality barrel blank.
 
My IBI is ready, so I messaged my gunsmith to make arrangements. I now receive word that he charges an extra $100 when chambering an IBI barrel, and doesn’t guaranty accuracy of the finished rifle if using an IBI (100% custom parts).

Really wondering if I should be finding a different gunsmith perhaps?
 
Decker9 said:
My IBI is ready, so I messaged my gunsmith to make arrangements. I now receive word that he charges an extra $100 when chambering an IBI barrel, and doesn’t guaranty accuracy of the finished rifle if using an IBI (100% custom parts).

Really wondering if I should be finding a different gunsmith perhaps?
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Any reason why?
 
Decker9 said:
My IBI is ready, so I messaged my gunsmith to make arrangements. I now receive word that he charges an extra $100 when chambering an IBI barrel, and doesn’t guaranty accuracy of the finished rifle if using an IBI (100% custom parts).

Really wondering if I should be finding a different gunsmith perhaps?
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Yup. I would find a different guy.
 
Decker9 said:
My IBI is ready, so I messaged my gunsmith to make arrangements. I now receive word that he charges an extra $100 when chambering an IBI barrel, and doesn’t guaranty accuracy of the finished rifle if using an IBI (100% custom parts).

Really wondering if I should be finding a different gunsmith perhaps?
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Can you share which gunsmith this is or perhaps the province he’s located in?
 
There was no reason why in his message. I’m not really into putting names on forums, but is a respected smith (he’s done great work for me in the past). He must have his reasons I suppose. If people want to know they can PM me.

I was more curious if I should take the gamble and use him or find another gunsmith to take on the project. When a guy has doubts like that, it’s hard for me to feel confident in the finished product.
 
Decker9 said:
My IBI is ready, so I messaged my gunsmith to make arrangements. I now receive word that he charges an extra $100 when chambering an IBI barrel, and doesn’t guaranty accuracy of the finished rifle if using an IBI (100% custom parts).

Really wondering if I should be finding a different gunsmith perhaps?
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Did you buy the barrel through him or did you source it yourself and hire him to do the work? Some people get pissy like that if you don't buy everything through them.
 
jiffx2781 said:
Did you buy the barrel through him or did you source it yourself and hire him to do the work? Some people get pissy like that if you don't buy everything through them.
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No I bought the barrel myself. I don’t think he deals in parts distribution as far as I’m aware.
 
Decker9 said:
My IBI is ready, so I messaged my gunsmith to make arrangements. I now receive word that he charges an extra $100 when chambering an IBI barrel, and doesn’t guaranty accuracy of the finished rifle if using an IBI (100% custom parts).

Really wondering if I should be finding a different gunsmith perhaps?
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I would ask him what he actually has against IBI barrels and then look for another smith...

Most smiths don't guarantee accuracy, they guarantee the work they do is as accurate as they can do it.
 
It sounds a lot like a personal aversion, the reason for which is unknown, rather than a technical problem with the barrels.
 
Or maybe said gunsmith has had issues with that barrel brand in the past, and can't guarantee a certain level of quality with said components?

Some gunsmiths will build on anything, others are very, very particular on what components they build with. Some in between. Some of the best gunsmiths I know are also the pickiest gunsmiths - every rifle that goes out their door has their name and reputation attached to it, and they only build components they trust.

I don't know the OP or who the gunsmith is, so no knowledge on the specific scenario. But since everyone else is postulating, I'll put in my 2¢. IBI did have issues in the beginning, and perhaps the gunsmith got burned early on?
 
As I had mentioned, nothing at all against the gunsmith, he has his reasons. I appreciate honesty, which is what he was.

I will be making a couple phone calls on Monday to see if there’s another smith who’d like to take on the project.

 
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