Benchmark barrels?
- Thread starter Cpt.Flan
- Start date
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
Just chambered a #2 contour in 250 savage yesterday. Slapped it in a HS stock with no bedding and took it to the range for a quick function test and it shot pretty good. 10 rounds rapid fire made a decent group, looks like it is going to shoot well even when she gets a little hot. I like the fact the outside is actually finished and not some rough half assed job like lots of blanks. I got 2 more Benchmarks to do, a #4 is going to be a 257STW and a #4 that is going to get turned into a 223.
I have chambered quite a few Benchmarks 6.5 creed, 308 , 300 win , 280 a.i. , 243 they have all been great shooters, no problems with fouling . The 280 a.i. Is my own gun , the first day out with fire forming loads we shot it out to 1370 yards. I am just finishing a 6.5 creedmoor for my daughter , then I have to build a 260 a.i. For my son and a 338 lapua a.i. for my brother. I have krieger barrels and Rockcreek which are both great barrels but the price is more then a Benchmark and the wait is usually longer, so I think I will continue to use the Benchmark barrels and you will have to look pretty far before you find a nicer guy to deal with.
juanvaldez
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sudbury, Ontario
As good or better then any barrel out their. Gary is keeping a huge selection on hand as well. Can't go wrong with a bench mark
- Location
- Pembroke, Ontario
My experience wasn't good....had a Benchmark chambered for .284 Win installed and started load developement with 180 grain Berger Hybrids. Finally gave up, it would srtring 2" vertically with a cold barrel and then for the same powder load (H4831 SC) started to group as the barrel warmed up and then start to go to hell in a hand basket as the barrel got too warm. Clean the barrel and the pattern would repeat.
Talked to Benchmark and the story they gave me was that expect maximum accuracy after 50 rounds have fouled the barrel, they then said accuracy would drop off after 200 rounds. I asked the guy if he thought I was an idiot and did that mean that at a match once I cleaned the rifle I would have to shoot 50 rounds into the burm before I started shooting for score!
Took it off and installed installed a Bartlein. Best group at 100 yards 0.175 (admittedly only 3 shots as I was still on load developement). Took the same load out to 600 yards and shot a 5 shot group which measured 2.0" with 3 of the shots almost shoulder to shoulder.
I'm not dumping on Benchmark as any one can have a bad barrel but instead of them telling my GS we'll send another barrel they just said we'll give you a credit.
Talked to Benchmark and the story they gave me was that expect maximum accuracy after 50 rounds have fouled the barrel, they then said accuracy would drop off after 200 rounds. I asked the guy if he thought I was an idiot and did that mean that at a match once I cleaned the rifle I would have to shoot 50 rounds into the burm before I started shooting for score!
Took it off and installed installed a Bartlein. Best group at 100 yards 0.175 (admittedly only 3 shots as I was still on load developement). Took the same load out to 600 yards and shot a 5 shot group which measured 2.0" with 3 of the shots almost shoulder to shoulder.
I'm not dumping on Benchmark as any one can have a bad barrel but instead of them telling my GS we'll send another barrel they just said we'll give you a credit.
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
Looks like my 25 cal bbl is going to be a bit of a copper fouler. Cleaned it down to steel at 25 rounds then fired 6 and she had about the same amount of copper in it as before. Accuracy is nothing to write home about yet.
Update. This bbl shoots! Just needed to switch powders. Impressive accuracy and consistency from a light hunting rifle.
Update. This bbl shoots! Just needed to switch powders. Impressive accuracy and consistency from a light hunting rifle.
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I use benchmark on all my builds, Gary is the best guy I have felt with for buying barrels. He has a ton on hand and if he doesn't have it in stock he'll get it for you in a timely matter. All the barrels I have used so far have been fantastic shooters as good or better than any other barrel maker out there. Rifles I own wearing benchmark are 6.5x47 lapua, 22-243 middlested, 280ai, 243ai, 223ai, 300 lapua, and I have 4 or 5 more on the bench waiting on one part or another to finish up the builds. I'd put my benchmark bbls against any other ones out there
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
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TacticalTeacher
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Georgian Bay, ON
Gary Eakin has been great to deal with. I'm kinda lacking in my part of the deal since I mentioned that he would get a write up of some sort once I get things in my life settled down. I just had that .260 Rem Varmint contour barrel finish reamed and installed. Now I have to get it broken in and now that school's out (forever, not just for summer), I have some time to get to the range and group that barrel with some .260 loads. 
Cheers and keep on helping them noobies out there!
Barney
Cheers and keep on helping them noobies out there!
Barney
Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ,location, location
Another +1 for Garry. Not only is he just a plain old nice guy but he has the foresight to hold an inventory of bbls.
The bbl I mentioned in the above posts has turned out to be a real shooter. It is one of those guns that shoots better than I am capable of plain and simple. I like guns like that...
The bbl I mentioned in the above posts has turned out to be a real shooter. It is one of those guns that shoots better than I am capable of plain and simple. I like guns like that...
