Upper Question

[Klem]

I'm really pleased with my ole "rack grade" Shilen. It came with the bolt too.
I've bought two more for other rifles since that one and getting ready to buy a fourth. Hope it shoots like the other three.

Shilen is not rack grade, but I suspect you know that.

I would put Shilen just below Lilja, Bartlein and krieger. Krieger and Bartlein are cut barrels, while Lilja and Shilen prefer button rifling. Button rifling can be as precise but the barrels need de-stressing. That said, if that is done properly then it's also down to the smith who profiles and chambers it.

I have only had one Shilen in another calibre and it shot sub MOA, but not as precise as the Kreigers. One barrel is not enough to generalize to a population of barrels but I am also going on shooters talking on the mound. F-Class and Fly shooters change their barrel annually and are always talking about things like this.

'Regardless, 'rack grade' is a lot lower and cheaper than the careful machinists at Shilen, that is for sure.