Savage barrel decision

[Draco877]

Planning to replace the barrel on my savage model 10 in .308 with a better barrel was looking at the two in the links below and am wanting to hear what people know or think of those two options. I am also wantning to know suggestions for other good options where it is easy for me to make and order my custom barrel online. I do know of proof research for barrels and am also considering them too as an option just tracking as needing to have it sent somewhere else to get it threaded.

https://carbonsixllc.com/product/30cal-barrel-10-twist-2/

http://www.x-caliber.net/savage-pre-fit

thanks and HOOAH!

 

[stwcattle]

I don't have experience with Carbonsix or X-Caliber nor Savage rifles. But I do have Proof carbon barrels on a couple of custom hunting rifles and these barrels are winner's. My 6 creedmoor and 6.5x284 hunting rifles with Proof barrels out group my precision rifles with Bartlein med palma barrels! If I had a Savage and was looking to replace the barrel, Proof without a doubt would be my choice.

 

[Rstrick0352]

Just had two X-Caliber blanks chambered and threaded for savage rifles. Still haven’t assembled or shot them yet but the gunsmith that did the work said the were exceptionally straight and well finished. All reports I’ve read is they are shooters as well FWIW.

 

[writtenbytylerkee]

I am not familiar with the two companies you linked to, but I can comment on Proof and Shilen.

I have a 28" Proof in 7mm Rem Mag that shoots Black Hills 162 A-Max at 1.5 MOA and Black Hills 139 GMX at 1 MOA. I put together some loads with Nosler 120 BTs and 175 Accubond LRs and both are comfortably sub 3/4 MOA. I got one of the first rounds of prefits they did that came unthreaded. I sent it to Accurate Ordnance and they did (as always) a stellar job threading it. I believe you can now buy the Proofs threaded from the factory.

I also have a 22" Shilen Prefit from Northland Shooters chambered in 6.5 CM that comfortably shoots Factory 140 A-Max and 140 ELDs in that 3/4 ish MOA region when I do my part. I started load workups on that barrel last week with the 143 ELD-X and shot several ragged hole groups, so I have high hopes that I can push accuracy down to the sub 3/4 MOA zone at good velocities.

I will likely pick up another barrel for that long action savage at some point in the future, and I'll likely stick with the Shilen barrels from Northland. Jim is a great guy so don't worry about the lack of online ordering. You just call and tell him what you want and then he gets it headed your way.

 

[MtnCreek]

I don't think Jim is running Northland anymore. Shilen Select Match is a great shooter. You may get a short throat though.

 

[writtenbytylerkee]

I don't think Jim is running Northland anymore. Shilen Select Match is a great shooter. You may get a short throat though.

Oh well that's a bummer!

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Lothar-Walther USA. I note that 6.5CM is not listed, but I've been shooting my L-W .260 Rem 28" barrel for nearly a decade and a half. The .260 can drive the same bullet faster out of the same length bore than the 6.5CM. I've been getting around 2850 fps with the Hornady 140gr A-Max and 43.8gr of H-4350.

Greg

 

[Ankeny]

I have just been using Shilen barrels from Northland. Jim sold the company, but the new owner seems like a class act. Last barrel I got from him is a 26 inch .284 win throated for Hornady 162 ELD-X bullets. Rifle is a hunting rig I haul around on my 4-wheeler. Accuracy is well under MOA. Same accuracy should be expected from any well respected barrel maker.

 

[z71rat]

The new owner of Northland is James, his son in law. And yes, he is carrying on Jim’s ideals to a T.

As far as the 2 barrels you had listed, I would have to give the C6 barrel a run, just on weight difference alone.

I haven’t had the best luck out of X-Caliber. Maybe mine was a fluke or something else wrong, but it was a dud for my 6.5 Creed. The Savage factory tube was WAY more accurate.

DK

 

[346ci]

I had a CBI from Northland on mine and it shot well. Sharp Shooter Supply installed the barrel and worked the action. While I no longer shoot a Savage, those two companies were great to work with.

 

[Shortbus6588]

ive had cbi and shilen and without a doubt the cbi was a better barrel, more accurate to start and accuracy has not fell off yet at 3400 rds. finish and machining is nicer than the shilen as well. overall very impressed with criterion and northland. i have also had good luck with apache gunworks, good finish and accuracy- too early to tell with longevity. ive ran them on savage and bighorn actions with great results. hard to beat savage with their accuracy and low cost and easy home gunsmithing.

 

[rdog52]

+1 on a CBI bbl from Northland. I've had several, all exceptional.

 

[Draco877]

The one issue I keep running into with proof research for savage is that they are often out of stock. And the one place it is in stock in the caliber I want they do not seem to indicate whether the barrel is threaded for a muzzle device or not. I have a message sent to them asking about it hopefully they get back to me soon. That or one of the other places gets it in stock.
On the good side at least I have several months until I can do this build up on my savage which also means more money for it if needed. already have the new scope and chassis bought and waiting. I guess I should take a look at a good bipod and scope rings next. I am currently planning on LaRue scope rings:https://www.larue.com/products/larue-tactical-2-piece-qd-lt808/ for it. When finished I am hoping to take this rifle out to 1000yds. and maybe several years down the road get a second barrel in 6.5 creedmoore. but for now I have over 1000rds of.308 WIN so I should have something that can shoot it at least.

 

[andrewsben]

I have had good luck with 5 different x-caliber barrels. Also with a few criterions. Both CBI and XC have worked good for me. Can't speak to carbon fiber barrels though.

 

[308220]

Go with PacNor. I have a 308 barrel and a 6.5-284 Norma on order. The 308 is a tac driver. Awesome barrel. Ill only order PacNor "prefits".

 

[MachoKing]

Bugholes will make you a Savage prefit from any barrel blank they sell.

 

[Draco877]

Drifting back to the proof research if I can get it pre threaded for savage action and a muzzle device. On a related note I am trying to decide on a muzzle device. I am debating getting a suppresser so want something I can use to mount the can onto. I am debating the can but this can help my decision there too. Currently thinking silencerco with a area 419 hellfire break. On the plus side to this build I have several months of deciding and being able to wait on parts while Uncle Sam has me working.