Shilen BBLs

[Tod Soeby]

Is there anyone out there using Shilen tubes in 1K benchrest? The good folks at Shilen donated a new BBL for the IBS nats in Pella, and I am trying to figure out what to do with it. Is there a specific caliber that they are known for? I can't seem to find any on the few equipment lists that I have seen. I did not check the 600 sheets yet. I seem to remember looking at the equipment lists in short range BR a few years ago and there are (were) lots of them there.

I don't want to spend a bunch of cash on smithing/components/time/ ect.....on a comp tube if there was an obvious reason NOT to shoot a shillen in 1K.

I checked their product sheets and they offer fast twist tubes in the correct contour in the calibers I am interested in. The only problem I see is that the warranty is voided if you have them fluted. I would need to flute, or drasticly shorten my BBL length, in order to make weight and use a brake!!!!

My objective here is certainly not to bash Shilen BBls in public....If you have some horror storys, please PM me, although I can't imagin that there would be any!!!!!! I am sure it is just a cycle.....Someone sets the world on fire with a Hart.....it gets popular very quick.....or Brux, or Krieger...........

Again....I am VERY GRATEFULL to the fine folks at Shillen for their generosity....it is companies like them that keep our sport, or at least the big events like the Nationals and the Worlds, sucsessfull.

Thanks,
Tod Soeby

 

[4Mesh]

Todd, I shot Shilen Barrels exclusively. All mine were 30 cal 10 & 12 twist. They worked good for me on Lights and Heavies. A damn site easier to clean than other barrels I owned. Delivery is great. Service ... I dont know cause I never needed any. Keep in mind that a 30" blank yields ~29" finish if you care. I did not.

Warranty? Who cares? I fluted mine on LGs and it didn't seem to affect them adversely. It's their policy and that's fine. I don't think anyone else likes for you to complain about their barrels after you remachine the entire thing either.

My first one was a prize at a shoot also. After shooting that one, I've never bought another brand since.

 

[Danny Brooks]

Todd,

I had one on the first LG that I bought. It shot great. My wife won a relay with it before I did, so she claimed as hers. I had to have another built for myself.
I found the grooves were nat as deep as other brands, so it did clean easier. When I sold it, there about 700-750 rounds down the tube. I bore scoped it before it got gone and there was not throat erosion to see. I had shot some hot loads in the early days. The only thing we saw was one faint crack in front of the leade. The barrel looked like new. I wanted to raise the price, but I already had a buyer.

Don't worry about fluting, it will shoot fine. I have had a less than perfect barrel from every barrel maker that I have used over the years. They cannot bat a 1.000, they are only human.

Nice shooting at Pella by the way.

Danny

 

[Shooter53]

Danny,

I've been building custom long guns for almost 15 years. I only use Shilen barrels unless the client specifies otherwise. We've built guns from .22 cal up to .338 cal in numerous twist rates.

Always have been great shooters. Never had a bad or even questionable barrel. Their customer service is excellent.

I think if you do some reseach, Shilen has more ompetition wins over the years than just about all other MFG's combined. In the past few years there has been a large number of new MFGs come on the scene. That dilutes the pool. I think Bartlien barrels are the hot items now!?

I truly don't think you'll be in the slightest bit disappointed with a Shilen barrel, I know I never have been.