Douglas barrels

[Salchi Papa]

I’m considering replacement of the barrels on 2 rifles; one is a 1968 Remington 700 270win and the other is a tikka t3 not a t3x in 30.06. I intend to keep the factory barrel lengths of 24 on the rem700 and 22 on the tikka. These are hunting rifles in central PA so I don’t need minute of gnats azz marksmanship but I do want good accuracy which I view as better than an inch at 100yds. I’m there now with both rifles however the tikka barrel is slightly pitted and only shoots 2 of my hand loads decently and the rem700 took a lot of time and effort and resources to find a decent loading that shoots just over an inch @100yds. For hunting these are both adequate but when was adequate ever satisfactory. I’m looking at Douglas barrels #3 contour and I also intend to keep the factory calibers on both. I know the reputation of Douglas barrels but I don’t know anyone locally who has one. I’m intending to send the rifles to them as well to have them fit the barrels to the rifles, there are plenty of gunsmiths around here but the one that was highly recommended to me didn’t do a great job silver soldering a sight back on my pre-64 Winchester 94 so I figured have the guys at Douglas do it since they probably know what they’re doing. What can you guys tell me about the barrels Douglas makes and is it worth sending my rifles to them as well. Thanks

 

[salmonchaser]

I bought one, looks like it had been rifled with a hand held Dremmel tool. Un-F believable. Their simple response was we don’t hand-lap. No shit. Did a full treatment with Tubbs fire lapping which failed to remove the gouges crossing diagonal across the rifling. Where the lands and groves meet looks like a mill bastard file. Should have waited the six months for a Pac Nor or similar barrel. 400 dollars for the barrel about that for the instal on a ruger #1 I would have been way better off just selling the original rifle.

 

[Firebird24]

My 7stw has a Douglass that has been phenomenal. It is over twenty years old now so maybe they were better back in the day-but I would use them again. I would be comfortable with any of the better name brands tho, no real bias

 

[IdahoCTD]

If I wanted a cheap barrel I'd do a Wilson from Ragged Hole Barrels. All of the ones I've used where pretty accurate with one being exceptional. I havent been overly impressed with the Douglas barrels I've used. I'd personally spend a bit more and do a top tier barrel like Brux, Bartlein or Krieger.

 

[RL338]

I'd personally spend a bit more and do a top tier barrel like Brux, Bartlein or Krieger.

Buy once cry once.