04-14-2023, 01:59 PM
Klem Wrote:Paul,
In larger countries, in order to qualify as a national representative you have to have won a few matches. Zene's Jamaican case stands out because it is unusual - I am talking about usual. If you can search beyond manufacturers sponsoring shooters for marketing/goodwill and focus on who's winning what, with what barrels - that's a pretty good heuristic for quality.
Bartlein, Krieger and Lilja barrels have had a long-term excellent reputation. You might get lucky with cheaper barrels, but it will be a lottery.
Here's a relevant source of info from the PRS guys. Hart, Lilja and Shilen are not on that list, and I don't think Broughton makes barrels anymore. Some very good barrels also made overseas but US barrels are hands-down the best in the world and won't attract import duty.
Lilja and Shilen are easy choices as they sell ready-to-fit Grendel chambered AR barrels. Krieger might too if you contact them, but there will be a wait time. The others you will have to get profiled by a gunsmith, or buy through a gunsmith like Precision Firearms. Again, it's only $200-$300 more than a rack grade barrel but it will define the gun, and the same cost in ammunition is gone pretty quickly.
I found a pretty good deal for a 16" lilja on six sigma that seems to fit my needs, I'm not looking to make 800yrd hunts in as much as I want the potential to be gtg at 600. I think I might go for the 16" lilja.. what do you think?