Shilen or RRA

[20Incher]

I was gonna go 6.5 but changed my mind.I've narrowed it down to either the Shilen .750 with matched bolt or the RRA 1.050 under the handguard to .936.The RRA is around $290 with gas block and the Shilen At $419 .I don't mind spending the extra cash but it would be a plus not to.Both are 20" 1/8 wylde .Using it out to 600 max for target and closer for predator hunting and pdogs.Shilen states it's a match grade barrel and I'm not sure if the RRA is.Which one would you get and why?Thanks

 

[338RUM runner]

Re: Shilen or RRA

My .02 RRA. I have 18,20,24 Varmint and 16,20 Predator. All shoot very very well. The 20 Predator is great if you want to carry it. Don't think you can go wrong. I'm making a .264 LBC from a 26" Shilen #7 contour. The Predator is .95 under hand guard .75 gas and .68 end

 

[BOL556]

Re: Shilen or RRA

Go with the Daniel Defense barrel 225 bucks. Just changed out mine on my RRA entry tactical and there was a huge difference not only in weight reduction but in grouping as well.

 

[338RUM runner]

Re: Shilen or RRA

The RRA Entry Tactical isn't a good barrel like the Varmint or Predator is. I'm sure the DD was better.

 

[frankythefly]

Re: Shilen or RRA

Does rock river still use all Wilson Barrels? Or does Rock River make them in house now?

 

[20Incher]

Re: Shilen or RRA

Thanks for the replies.I think it is Wilson arms.It is the varmint barrel from RRA I'm looking at.So there's really no more accuracy from one to the other .One stating it's a so called match barrel and the other being a heavy barrel?

 

[bcw1284]

Re: Shilen or RRA

Last I heard, RRA is still getting theirs from wilson. The barrels are good stuff, but RRA's tolerances and fit/finish on stripped actions are something else. I've has issues with that on more than one occasion (bad finish on lowers, bad tolerances on upper). I've also had one of their BCG's and it worked fine. So like everything else, Caveat Emptor.

Have you looked at WOA? they have a myriad of varmint barrels. in the lineup, and WOA does not make junk. I'm linking the 1-8 twists because that's what you said you wanted, but be aware that WOA also makes these in 1-7 and 1-12.

26": http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17564&cat=250&page=1

24": http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17576&cat=250&page=1

20": http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17824&cat=250&page=1

and my personal favorite, though not really a varmint barrel:
http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17566&cat=250&page=3


Personally, I think that varmint barrels on a gas gun are dead weight, these guns can perform very well with smaller contours. At the end of the day, it'll never be a bolt gun so don't expect it to shoot bugholes.

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

Re: Shilen or RRA

look at the 600m records set with AR15's--the PREDATOR bbl is the same nat'l match bbl that RR provides and wins with. at 600 and under an AR can hold its own in the accuracy dept. the hvy varmint barrels do not heat up as fast and are advantageous for P-dogs and such. Most shooters cannot equal the iron-sighted NM shooters with a scope--the 20" Shilen with ratchet rifling may be well worth extra funds--I would like to try 1

 

[platapus]

Re: Shilen or RRA

I am also considering a barrel swap on my DMPS 20" varmint. I was looking at Black Hole Weaponry. Black, and threaded for a break,right at $300. A little extra for fluting which I will go with out. I have looked into the big name barrel makers and they are all around or just under the $500 mark. I only paid $365 shipped for a Rock Creek 34" AMU .338 blank. There is something wrong here.

 

[mexicanmatch]

Re: Shilen or RRA

The add says the Shilen 20" select match with ratchet rifling is over $500.

 

[jakerz3]

Re: Shilen or RRA

Meet in the middle and go with a WOA, with a head spaced bolt.

 

[BERTMAN77MK2]

Re: Shilen or RRA

+1 on White Oak, AR Barrels have more time involved to machine---that is why they cost mored than bolt gun barrels