Re: best barrel?
Their are so many good barrel makers now, so you have quite a few to choose from.
As already stated LW barrels are know to last a long time and are quite accurite, they are hammer forged I believe, which makes them work hardened and they also use a special steel.
The best in terms of accuricy would be any top end barrel maker, if they are hand lapped even better.
I would say go cut rifled but several guys like Lilja are getting great results out of hand lapped button rifled barrels.
Here is who I would choose from: Obermeyer, Krieger, Rock, Lilja, Bartlein, or Douglas.
Price and lead time would determine my decision in the end, all of thoes listed make an excelent barrel.