Part of the answer to the cost vs quality is another question. Where is the additional cost going?
If it goes to a business plan based on a higher margin of profit,that does not necessarily provide higher quality.
Its possible (but not necessarily true) that WW2 technology might be slower or generate more scrap than modern CNC equiptment. Time is money. A less efficient process might add cost without necessarily increasing quality.
Yet some of the older ,or more artisan based processes trade time and skill (cost) for benefits in quality.
A hammer forged barrel might meet the needs of the customer while being less expensive than higher quality steel,extra stress relief or cryo processes,a slower process(such as cur rifling) costs more time. It might result ina more stress free barrel than button rifling.
Hand lapping can produce an excellent barrel. At a cost. Not all barrels are hand lapped. Some non-lapped barrels may shoot good.
I'll agree,some barrels will likely shoot better than other barrels...
For sure,the targets tell a lot of the story.
But part of it is how the transaction "feels" to the guy spending the dollar.
For some,it will be a Krieger or Lilja. For some,a $35 gun show takeoff barrel is an adventure...especially if a little firelapping makes it a shooter.
It can come down to how you feel about what you got for your dollar.
Every shooter,like every rifle,is different