Category Archives: Bolt Action Rifles

Looking to shrink groups on your precision bolt action rifle? Criterion provides a number of solutions to help keep rounds on target at long range.

What Kind of Practical Accuracy Can You Expect From A Criterion Pre-Fit Barrel? Handloading Makes a Difference!

When it comes to precision rifle accuracy, ammunition quality can make a significant difference. While modern factory ammunition can offer remarkable performance when paired with Criterion barrels, most precision rifles will not perform to their true potential without developing a handload recipe tailored to the individual barrel. While one barrel may prefer one particular load, a barrel […]

What is Headspace and Why Should it be Checked?

Few tolerances found on a firearm are of more importance than headspace. Not only is headspace essential to rifle accuracy, but it is a major safety factor to consider when assembling a firearm. Improper headspace can cause case head separation, unsafe chamber pressure levels, or failure to function. What is headspace? Headspace is the distance […]

What Sort of Barrel Life Can I Expect From A Criterion Barrel?

Discerning rifle builders frequently want to know what kind of barrel life they can expect when purchasing a new Criterion barrel. We try to provide them with a detailed answer so that they can make the most educated selection to serve their intended needs and requirements. When exploring barrel life, it is important to ask […]

The Dirty Barrel Trend or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Cleaning Rod

Is barrel cleaning good or bad for accuracy? “I don’t clean my barrel until group sizes start opening up.” This line is becoming more and more prevalent in the precision rifle community. Theories fly about the internet on why shooters don’t clean their barrels. Common arguments include the importance of eliminating the need for fouling […]

Criterion Barrel Goes Head To Head With Krieger & E.R. Shaw In 6.5 x 47 Lapua Barrel Comparison

Writer Norman Johnson recently prepared a detailed report for www.loaddata.com outlining barrel and handload performance with three barrel blanks supplied by Krieger, Criterion, and E.R. Shaw. Starting load results were supplied utilizing a variety of bullet types (without optimizing powder charge weight and seating depth). Both the Criterion and Krieger barrels averaged groups under .5 […]

Recommended Rifle Barrel Cleaning Procedures

What is the Best Way to Clean a Rifle Barrel? We are asked this question quite frequently alongside requests for recommended break-in procedures. Improper barrel cleaning methods can damage or destroy a barrel, leading to diminished accuracy or even cause a catastrophic failure. When it comes to barrel maintenance, there are a number of useful […]

Varmint Hunter Article Reviews Criterion Pre-Fit

Glenn Burroughs of Varmint Hunter Magazine reviewed his 6×47 Lapua Criterion Pre-Fit build experience in the latest Varmint Hunter summer issue. After a little bit of load development, Glenn’s friend Pat wound up shooting groups as small as .162 MOA at 300 yards! This article is a must read for any varmint hunter hoping to […]

Barrel Break-In Procedure

It is not unusual for us to receive a number of questions regarding barrel care soon after a customer purchases their first Criterion barrel. Oftentimes we receive questions relating to barrel break-in procedures. In this article we have set out to cover some break-in basics and answer a few other commonly asked questions. What is […]

Build Your Own Mirage Shield for Less Than a Buck

All distance shooters are familiar with mirage. An illusion based upon variation in air temperature, mirage has played a role in countless inconsistent groups over the years. Savvy shooters will use mirage as a valuable tool when gauging wind speed and direction. Natural mirage is unavoidable, but there are many techniques designed to limit its […]