Barrels: Made in Canada?

[Hand Skills]

A quick search turns up several Canadian barrel makers;

IBI (BC)
RKS - Ron Smith (AB)
Bob Jury (AB)
KS Arms (AB)
HW Precision (AB)
Ted Gaillard (SK)
McPhee (MB) [RIP]
Rob MacLellan (ON) [retired]
B7 - Robert Besette (QC)
JC Custom (NB)


Is there any reason to consider an importing a barrel instead of buying one made in Canada? These guys all have great track records!

I don't want to start an accuracy debate - I get the impression that any of these will shoot better than I can if installed and loaded for correctly.

That said, I'm not sure what the discussion would centre on. Ease of cleaning? Quality control in materials selection? Thermal processing?

Personally I'd love a couple of sporter weight stainless barrels that clean up with just a couple of patches (or require minimal break-in, to state it another way).

Looking forward to any wisdom on the subject, and hoping to raise some awareness for local talent.

Thanks for this opportunity.

 

[zuke]

Do any of them make a 577 barrel?

 

[Hand Skills]

Is that a heat resistant alloy? 416 and 4140 seem to be most popular... or do you mean .577?

 

[vagrantviking]

LoL you must operate in different circles than us in the antiques and muzzleloader forum.

It's a bore diameter.

 

[Hand Skills]

Haha, that's a new one for me!

 

[Potato boy]

I’ve had a McLealand and it was great.

 

[Sqr]

I have a JC Custom barrel for an AR which is very product.

 

[mudpro]

There is also B7 from out east and IBI from BC

 

[gcoy19]

Don’t forget IBI. Just got one for a stag 10 and it’s definitely a shooter.

 

[Tony1320]

Depending on what you want for a barrel you can probably find it in Canada. Hirsch Precision stocks a lot of Krieger and they are putting in an order for Bartlein barrels.

Also since your out west you could check with Harley Greene or Dennis Lair

 

[MikeinCalgary]

There is also B7 from out east and IBI from BC

any idea of where to contact B7 barrels?

 

[billdick]

I have some Ron Smith stainless barrels and they are great and don't get dirty. They stay clean after serious use. I have a very heavy gain twist chambered in 220 swift and I'll fire a hundred rounds shooting gophers in one sitting and three patches with wipe-out is all thats needed.

 

[Hand Skills]

any idea of where to contact B7 barrels?

Robert Bessette, Waterloo QC - pm'd you a phone number.

 

[Rod B]

I believe Rob McLellan is no longer making barrels. I heard that his business was purchased by someone from Calgary.

 

[Dosing]

I have two K&S stainless, which you could always ceracote or the like if you want them blue. I got them stainless since I thought I would likely end up plowing corrosive ammo through them. So far about 500rds through one, 100 through the other, which is really just 100/range session, but they seem to have no really obvious fouling, and for cleaning just get some remoil down the barrel. Quite happy with them as range blasters, so far they have eaten ammo from about 10 different makers over 50-60 years, and no issues.

 

[DanOO]

Rob McLennon did sell his barrel business, it is now HW Precision out of Calgary.

 

[Duck_Hunter]

Wow, not giving those HW barrels away $$

 

[Silver Lab]

Not sure why you have Ron Smith as retired? I just talked with him the other day, he is still making barrels......

 

[Hand Skills]

Amended - not sure where I read that.

 

[A&Shuntr]

Not sure why you have Ron Smith as retired? I just talked with him the other day, he is still making barrels......

Me as well.