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Criterion Barrel Goes Head To Head With Krieger & E.R. Shaw In 6.5 x 47 Lapua Barrel Comparison
13
Mar
Mar
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 MOA (5 round groups at 100 yards), with all loads shooting sub-MOA groups.
The complete Load Data article can be found here.
In response to your March 2017 article comparing Krieger, Criterion, and E.R. Shaw barrels in 6.5×47 Lapua, I had a Criterion 26″ Savage Varmint contour with 1:8 twist on a Savage action in a laminate stock around that time that I took to the range after assembling it to test some loads. I fouled the bore with the first shot and bore sighted it. The first group through that barrel with 120 grain Ballistic Tips topped 3000 ft/s and measured .188″. End of load workup…
A buddy of mine applied a ballistics app to a photo of my target and said the program measured the group at .120″. I don’t like computer graphics to math problems involved un my group measuring. I do it the old fashioned way by laying a tape or set of calipers across it. I’m pretty confident in my .188″ measurement center to center. No fouling to speak of, either. I’ve used several Criterions and always gotten sub-1/2 MOA groups with every one. Criterions ALWAYS out shoot both Shilen and McGowen. McGowen is good for a solid 1/2 MOA. Shilen, maybe 5/8 – 11/16 MOA. Criterion 1/8 to 3/8″. Every time!