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- Feb 21, 2025
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There are some factory barrels that truly excel. Have you had the chance to use any OEM barrels that made you think an aftermarket upgrade wasn’t even needed? I’d love to know which platforms you found them on!
OEM barrels? Anyone?
- Thread starter Alan
- Start date
Accuracy International, Steyr, and Tikka.
But I guess Accuracy International is a given.
Steyr.
I know they are a little more than the average rifle, but they have never disappointed. In order, I’ve had an SSG-69 P-I, Scout .308, AUG A3, SSG-69 P-II, and a SafeBolt SBS in .300 Win Mag. They’ve all shot better than they should have.
The accuracy of the Steyr SSGs is pretty well known. I was using my second one at LR matches at Atterbury (800-1000) until I got my AI. All factory. The barrel on those is none too hefty by today’s standards.
The Scout’s barrel is really light. Really super light, plus it’s fluted in addition. Yet it shoots well, even when warm/hot. Best of all to me is that almost everything shoots to the same zero at 100 yards.
The Steyr AUG isn’t known as a target rifle, and the factory barrel in mine was nothing exciting but it did OK. Like the Scout, heating had little to no effect. I’ve since bought a factory 20” 1/7 twist (original is 16” 1/9) and that barrel shoots really well.
The SBS .300 Win Mag is a treat. It’s a fairly light rifle for the caliber, but it hovers juuuust above .5 MOA, although the farthest I’ve put it on paper was 240 yards.
My buddy bought one in .30-06 that does the same.
Granted, a Steyr costs more than a Savage Axis, but they might not be as crazy as you think. There are several on Gunbroker right now from 500 to 700. Compared to what current new Ruger Americans are running, they aren’t that far off.
A lot of people buy Savages to replace the barrel, then the cost gets well beyond a regular Steyr hunting rifle.
Tikka
While I don’t own any, I’ve seen quite a few Tikkas, and they all shoot really well. My buddy who bought the .30-06 Steyr has three Tikkas now, I think, and he doesn’t keep rifles that don’t shoot. Their price is starting to match their reputation now, but they are still about as close to a sure thing I know of.
But I guess Accuracy International is a given.
Steyr.
I know they are a little more than the average rifle, but they have never disappointed. In order, I’ve had an SSG-69 P-I, Scout .308, AUG A3, SSG-69 P-II, and a SafeBolt SBS in .300 Win Mag. They’ve all shot better than they should have.
The accuracy of the Steyr SSGs is pretty well known. I was using my second one at LR matches at Atterbury (800-1000) until I got my AI. All factory. The barrel on those is none too hefty by today’s standards.
The Scout’s barrel is really light. Really super light, plus it’s fluted in addition. Yet it shoots well, even when warm/hot. Best of all to me is that almost everything shoots to the same zero at 100 yards.
The Steyr AUG isn’t known as a target rifle, and the factory barrel in mine was nothing exciting but it did OK. Like the Scout, heating had little to no effect. I’ve since bought a factory 20” 1/7 twist (original is 16” 1/9) and that barrel shoots really well.
The SBS .300 Win Mag is a treat. It’s a fairly light rifle for the caliber, but it hovers juuuust above .5 MOA, although the farthest I’ve put it on paper was 240 yards.
My buddy bought one in .30-06 that does the same.
Granted, a Steyr costs more than a Savage Axis, but they might not be as crazy as you think. There are several on Gunbroker right now from 500 to 700. Compared to what current new Ruger Americans are running, they aren’t that far off.
A lot of people buy Savages to replace the barrel, then the cost gets well beyond a regular Steyr hunting rifle.
Tikka
While I don’t own any, I’ve seen quite a few Tikkas, and they all shoot really well. My buddy who bought the .30-06 Steyr has three Tikkas now, I think, and he doesn’t keep rifles that don’t shoot. Their price is starting to match their reputation now, but they are still about as close to a sure thing I know of.
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I suppose a finer point would be how we are defining accuracy. Very rarely have I encountered a new factory barrel that won’t produce. 2-3” group at 100 yards. That is plenty accurate for a utility rifle.
Now, shooting small groups at 200 yards; prairie dogs for example; is more of a challenge. Even then, powder and bullet choices will usual narrow groups enough to keep it fun. A heavy barrel (factory or not) will usually get you close enough to 1” groups.
I have more than often found better sighting, trigger replacement, receiver bedding and barrel floating, will gain me more than a barrel replacement. It all boils down to a combination of skill and equipment that eliminates any kind of barrel movement when pulling the trigger.
Now, I have encountered many thoroughly used, abused, and neglected rifles that won’t shoot a group under 3” that are just plain worn out. A new barrel will usually give them a whole new life.
Now, shooting small groups at 200 yards; prairie dogs for example; is more of a challenge. Even then, powder and bullet choices will usual narrow groups enough to keep it fun. A heavy barrel (factory or not) will usually get you close enough to 1” groups.
I have more than often found better sighting, trigger replacement, receiver bedding and barrel floating, will gain me more than a barrel replacement. It all boils down to a combination of skill and equipment that eliminates any kind of barrel movement when pulling the trigger.
Now, I have encountered many thoroughly used, abused, and neglected rifles that won’t shoot a group under 3” that are just plain worn out. A new barrel will usually give them a whole new life.
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