TheNatureBoy
New member
Is the opinion of Douglas rifle barrels still as favorable today as they were in the past? I don't hear/read anything about them anymore. Any of you still use them?
Douglas Rifle Barrels
- Thread starter TheNatureBoy
- Start date
Let's take this to the Smithy ...
It's been a few years since I was barrel shopping, but when I was building my own, Douglas air-gauged were always at or near the top of my list.
Brownell's still stocks them: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=5679/Product/_AIR_GAUGED__PREMIUM_BARREL :
It's been a few years since I was barrel shopping, but when I was building my own, Douglas air-gauged were always at or near the top of my list.
Brownell's still stocks them: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=5679/Product/_AIR_GAUGED__PREMIUM_BARREL :
mapsjanhere
New member
It's a question of price, at $325 a barrel they are competing against the best of Shilen, Lilja and Walter. And, as you said, it's been quiet around them lately, so it's hard to justify the expense without proof they're still among the best in the business.
Barrels in this class are so hard to compare because you can't just go and pop 4 different barrels in a gun to test, you need to do load development for each, and the one that shoots 10 mm groups wins over the one that only does 12 mm at it's best.
Barrels in this class are so hard to compare because you can't just go and pop 4 different barrels in a gun to test, you need to do load development for each, and the one that shoots 10 mm groups wins over the one that only does 12 mm at it's best.
I've built a few target rifles in the past. I use Douglas Prem. barrels. I've found them to be accurate. I've tried a few others but don't see an advantage that would warrant the extra cost.
If you do any shooting at all, you are gonna shoot out barrels which need to be replaced. It's cheaper to keep a gun w/Douglas barrels going.
Gene Barnett used Douglas barrels for his M14/M1A barrels, I talked with him quite a bit when he was running the Pistol Armor's van at the Wilson matches. He thought their quality was a good if not better then others.
Of course a lot of it has to do with the shooter, since shooting is 90% mental, so if you think your barrel is a shooter, it will be, if you think it's a dud, it will be.
If you do any shooting at all, you are gonna shoot out barrels which need to be replaced. It's cheaper to keep a gun w/Douglas barrels going.
Gene Barnett used Douglas barrels for his M14/M1A barrels, I talked with him quite a bit when he was running the Pistol Armor's van at the Wilson matches. He thought their quality was a good if not better then others.
Of course a lot of it has to do with the shooter, since shooting is 90% mental, so if you think your barrel is a shooter, it will be, if you think it's a dud, it will be.
There may be some Douglas barrels that cost $320 but I was just on their website a few days ago and I think if you will go there you will find their standard XX bbl in hunting contours for substantially less.
I will say if you get the bbl from Brownells and such,you will likely get a bbl that is of the chosen contour,but it will be rough turned.
Myself,I suggest going the finish turned and polished.
I have had very good results with them and would not hesitate to use a Douglas.They shoot better than I do.
Now,I must confess it has been at least 15 years since I have used a Douglas,but its not their fault.
I will say if you get the bbl from Brownells and such,you will likely get a bbl that is of the chosen contour,but it will be rough turned.
Myself,I suggest going the finish turned and polished.
I have had very good results with them and would not hesitate to use a Douglas.They shoot better than I do.
Now,I must confess it has been at least 15 years since I have used a Douglas,but its not their fault.
rickdavis81
New member
I have a douglas on a savage I built. It shoots great(for my abilities) and I would not hesitate to use another one. I looked over them all when choosing and it is hard to pick, so many choices, they can all turn out hummers or lemons.