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CONTOUR #3 BARREL

CONTOUR #3 BARREL Reviews & Ratings

All the loving care of the best stockmaker and the meticulous attention to detail of the master machinist will not make a gun shoot any straighter than the accuracy capability of the barrel used. And, it is the insides of a barrel, that very small and vital area of lands and grooves over which the gunsmith has no control, that can determine whether the finished work of art is for shooting - or “just for looks”. Craftsmanship . . . not price . . . determines the quality of a barrel. But, by the same token, the customer willing to spend the money for a custom gun is shortsighted indeed, if he starts economizing and orders “just any old barrel so long as it’s cheap”. Furthermore, he is jeopardizing your reputation as a gun builder by making such a request. We, as your supplier, are laying our reputation (and yours, too!) on the line by offering you barrel blanks. They have got to be good or we are in trouble! Big trouble!! We must never sell you anything but that which will enlarge your stature with your trade. And, we feel that the Brownell Barrel, made for us by Ed Shilen, will do just that! Shilen barrels, either chrome moly or Stainless, are rifled with six lands and grooves by the “Cold Forming” process using carbide dies made in Shilen’s own plant under the most rigid controls. This rifling method achieves extremely close inside uniformity from breech to muzzle. Finished barrels are air-gauge inspected (air-gauged sensitivity is .00005" - five-one-hundred-thousandths!) and 6X borescope in- spected. All barrels, .22 through .30 caliber have groove tolerances within .0005" and uniformity within .0003" No straightening is done, and all barrels are completely stress-relieved. All stainless steel barrels are hand lapped at the factory. Only those barrels passing all spec tests are offered to the trade. Any barrel even slightly “suspect” is started through the production process again and bored to a large caliber. In no other way can quality and reputation be maintained. Slightly more expensive to produce - but vastly greater in quality and ultimate performance.


SPECS: 4140 chrome-moly or 416 Stainless Steel. METRIC: 1 " (2.5cm), 1 lb. (.45kg).



Special Orders: If no Stock # is shown in the chart, that barrel must be ordered on a Special Order basis. Special Orders require Full Payment in Advance and are non-cancelable and non-refundable. Allow 8-10 weeks for delivery. Not shipped prepaid.


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Reviews Summary
The CONTOUR #3 BARREL has a mixed reception from users. Many praise its excellent accuracy and consistency, often achieving sub-MOA performance. However, some express dissatisfaction with the barrel’s finish and fouling issues, leading to concerns over quality control. While some commend its machining and value, others recommend looking at alternative brands before purchasing.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Product Performance
60%
Many reviewers highlight the impressive accuracy and consistency of the CONTOUR #3 BARREL, often achieving sub-MOA groups with various loads. Users note that once properly chambered, the barrel performs admirably, making it a respected choice among custom rifle builders.
Quality Control
40%
A significant concern mentioned by several reviewers is the inconsistent quality of the barrel's finish and internal machining. Issues such as excessive tool marks and fouling in the bore surfaced in multiple reviews, leading some to question the overall quality standard of the product.
Comparison with Other Brands
30%
Some users suggest that there are superior alternatives to the Shilen barrels. While many are happy with their results, others feel that spending more on a different brand might yield a more consistent and reliable performance, indicating a divide in customer satisfaction.
Ease of Use
50%
Reviewers appreciated the ease of threading and chambering of the barrel, often remarking that it doesn't require extensive break-in time and cleans up easily after use. This positive feedback highlights the user-friendly aspect of the barrel, aiding a smoother shooting experience.
Fouling Concerns
35%
Several reviews raised issues with barrel fouling, indicating that some users experienced significant copper fouling after minimal use. This detracts from the overall shooting experience and raises concerns about the long-term maintenance of the barrel.
2
Save your money
Not the best, save your money and get the select match or another brand, built a custom 6mm Rem on this barrel and couldn't get it to shoot better than 0.75 MOA consistantly