Shilen Pre-Fit Barrels

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AndrewNS

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Hey guys, does anyone have any experience with the Shilen Pre-Fit Savage Barrels?

I am looking at getting the following:

S8, Savage Bull Barrel
Chrome-moly Match Grade (blued finish)
.223 Rem (Normal .223 Rem)
1 in 7" twist (I want to be able to shoot 75 gr., but still want the option of 55 gr., will this twist be ok?)
28” long (4 full twists)

Any thoughts? This barrel is, from what I can gather, a really good price falling in at the $400 mark + tax / shipping.

Is there something else that I should be looking at instead? If I spend another $100 will I get twice the barrel?

I am looking for something that will shoot sub MOA at 100 yards and have no issues stretching out to 300 yards still sub MOA. Also, I want something that I can order and have installed locally by a smith, I don't want to have to send my gun away...

Any input would be great as this is my first barrel swap and I really have no idea what to look at.
 
My brother had one that would shoot inside 1MOA from 900M no problem. The twist rate will be lots for 75gr, if you thought about trying F/TR you may want to consider at least 80 gr, but you may need the throat lengthened. That barrel length should be fine as well.

Another $100 will definitely not get you twice the barrel, but getting a high end barrel blank (including shilen) and having a good gunsmith chamber it for you might get you a more accurate barrel. It's also possible it will get you an equally accurate barrel for more money. That's the thing with these pre-fits I think, it can be sort of a toss up.
 
To me, not having to send my rifle away for god knows how long to get a new barrel done by a smith is worth quite a bit...

I don't know of any smith's in NS, meaning that I would have to send it out of province to get the work done. If all I need is a headspace gauge and I can swap barrels my self, I'll buy one of them too and do it my self...
 
Viper26 said:
I just ordered one from Mystic. He's got lots of experience with them. Apparently looking at about 4 months for delivery.
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I've been talking to him about them, as well as North Shore Barrels. I'm waiting for a reply to a few additional questions that I sent this morning to help me make up my mind.
 
Definately a negative effect, you're fine with an 8 twist for the 75 grainer. with the 7 twist and thin jacketed lightweight bullets, you'll likely lose a few bullets.
 
clatartar said:
Definately a negative effect, you're fine with an 8 twist for the 75 grainer. with the 7 twist and thin jacketed lightweight bullets, you'll likely lose a few bullets.
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Ok, so I should look at an 8 twist then...

What would be the bullet weight limits with an 8 twist? Both max and min.
 
I can't shoot 50 grain Sierra Blitz from my 8" twist Tikka, they blow up due to centrifugal forces. The 55 Blitz King work fine. I'm not 100% (it's been a while) but I think the 50 grain Blitz Kings work, must have a heavier jacket that the Blitz. I also shoot Sierra 80 Match Kings with great results.

So your range is at least 55-80 with an 8" twist.

AndrewNS said:
Ok, so I should look at an 8 twist then...

What would be the bullet weight limits with an 8 twist? Both max and min.
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toomanyhobbies said:
I can't shoot 50 grain Sierra Blitz from my 8" twist Tikka, they blow up due to centrifugal forces. The 55 Blitz King work fine. I'm not 100% (it's been a while) but I think the 50 grain Blitz Kings work, must have a heavier jacket that the Blitz. I also shoot Sierra 80 Match Kings with great results.

So your range is at least 55-80 with an 8" twist.
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Awesome, that is exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks.
 
AndrewNS did you know that some of Canadas best smith live in NS, not listing them all but Sam Adams pops in my head right away !!!!! Not sure of the barrel your chosing to use have never had one, but I would reccomend a Kreiger from Hirsch Precision in Lake Echo NS and get Sam to chamber it and install it. There have been PLENTY of Sam's rifles that have won matches right across North America !!!! You seem new at this game and I just wanted to let you know there are lots of people, companies and help right here in NS.
 
savage.3006 said:
AndrewNS did you know that some of Canadas best smith live in NS, not listing them all but Sam Adams pops in my head right away !!!!! Not sure of the barrel your chosing to use have never had one, but I would reccomend a Kreiger from Hirsch Precision in Lake Echo NS and get Sam to chamber it and install it. There have been PLENTY of Sam's rifles that have won matches right across North America !!!! You seem new at this game and I just wanted to let you know there are lots of people, companies and help right here in NS.
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I am VERY new to precision shooting... Sadly, the only smith that I knew about in NS is the guy that breaks stuff... uh.... I mean works, at Better Buy Sports.

What type of price range would I be looking at to buy a blank and have a smith chamber and install it on my rifle?
 
AndrewNS said:
I am VERY new to precision shooting... Sadly, the only smith that I knew about in NS is the guy that breaks stuff... uh.... I mean works, at Better Buy Sports.

What type of price range would I be looking at to buy a blank and have a smith chamber and install it on my rifle?
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Sam Adams is located in Truro. I've had at least (5) rifles re-barrelled by him. He likely won't have a VLD grind reamer on hand but will easily throat to your specific requirements with a dummy round.

I've never had to wait longer than 6 months to get anything done by Sam.I'm somewhat impatient and want things as soon as I can possibly get them. I don't think I'm alone in this. He's a very approachable guy and will happily answer any questions you may have.

Hirsch Precision is located in Lake Echo. He carries a variety of barrel brands and would be a good place to look for one here in NS.
 
I got a Shilen in a 1:8 26" bull 223rem and its on my F-class rig. I've shot consistent 3s w/ 80gn Amax at 200m. The barrel does really well on the line when I do my part reading the wind. Shilen makes a great barrel and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
 
1 in 7 twist is too fast, go with a 1 in 8 twist. I have one of the shilen pre fit barrels in 22-250 ai, my rifle puts 80gr berger vlds into 1/2" groups at 200 yards on a windless day. With this fast of a twist lighter bullets wont shoot too hot
 
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