The problem with checking with BR shooters is that a barrel that a custom maker cuts for a BR cartridge (.224" or .243") may get more attention than one in a hunting caliber like .277" or .323". Too much depends on the use for the rifle and the shooter's skills. I've had several rifles and handguns built which agg in the 0.3s for four, 5-shot groups (not just the best groups, which were in the 0.1s). These were not in BR calibers but shot very well anyway. Hart and Jarrett were the best of the ones I tried.
OTOH, a hunter does not need that level of accuracy, and unless he is willing to spend the money to improve the entire rifle the money is wasted on a true BR custom. Hanging a $500 barrel on a junky action in a mouldy stock with haphazard handloads won't get sub-1/2 moa accuracy. Figure on having the action trued, the trigger worked, and the whole thing at least pillar bedded into a stable stock. Lots of work, lots of $$$.
For the average hunter a good-quality but non-BR barrel is fine and will likely shoot about as well as the BR tube. An "economy" barrel from Douglas, etc. will do most just fine, and save a bundle to boot!
OTOH, a hunter does not need that level of accuracy, and unless he is willing to spend the money to improve the entire rifle the money is wasted on a true BR custom. Hanging a $500 barrel on a junky action in a mouldy stock with haphazard handloads won't get sub-1/2 moa accuracy. Figure on having the action trued, the trigger worked, and the whole thing at least pillar bedded into a stable stock. Lots of work, lots of $$$.
For the average hunter a good-quality but non-BR barrel is fine and will likely shoot about as well as the BR tube. An "economy" barrel from Douglas, etc. will do most just fine, and save a bundle to boot!
