Each Criterion Savage Pre-fit barrel is hand lapped, features a polished chamber, and is held to match grade tolerances. Utilizing the Savage barrel nut design, these barrels can be swapped in less than 15 minutes and are capable of national record-setting performance. Criterion offers finished lengths up to 30″ with multiple contour options. Contour Information Chart
Many caliber and contour combinations are in stock at NSS. Contact James Kessler at Northland Shooters Supply,
(763) 682-4296, for availability and order information.
Savage Pre-Fit MSRP:
>22″: $415
26″: $400
28″: $420
30″: $440
Add-on Option Pricing
Muzzle Threads | $75 |
Blended Muzzle Brake | $195 |
Non-blended Muzzle Brake | $175 |
Bead Blast (matte) Finish | $35 |
Nitride (Black Satin) Finish | $100 & extended lead time |
Fluting | $150 |
Chamber Options
Caliber | Twist Options | Chamber | |
.20 Cal | 1-11 | .20 Practical | |
.22 Cal | 1-7 1-7.5 1-8 1-9 1-12 1-14 | .223 Rem | |
6mm | 1-7 1-7.5 1-8 1-9 1-10 1-14 | 6 BRA | |
.25 Cal | 1-10 | .257 Wby | |
6.5mm | 1-7.5 1-8 | 6.5 x 47 Lapua | |
.270 Cal | 1-10 | .270 Win | |
7mm | 1-8 1-8.5 1-9 1-10 | .280 Rem | |
.30 Cal | 1-7 1-8 1-10 1-11 1-12 1-13 | .308 Win | |
.338 Cal | 1-10 | .338 Win Mag |
NSS Tapered Contours
Muzzle Diameter at Finished Length | ||||||||||||||
Contour | Small Shank | 22" | 24" | 26" | 28" | 30" | Large Shank | 22" | 24" | 26" | 28" | 30" | Weight (lbs) | Fluting Option |
Light Varmint | .759 | .729 | .700 | - | - | .769 | .734 | .700 | - | - | 4.0 @ 24" | Up to 30 Cal | ||
Varmint | .855 | .835 | .815 | .795 | .755 | .865 | .840 | .815 | .790 | .765 | 4.5 at 26" | Up to 30 Cal | ||
MTU | .951 | .941 | .930 | .920 | .910 | .965 | .950 | .935 | .920 | .920 | 5.0 at 26" | All Calibers | ||
Bull | 1.013 | 1.009 | 1.004 | 1.000 | .996 | 1.027 | 1.018 | 1.009 | 1.000 | .991 | 6.0 at 28" | All Calibers |
NSS Sporter Contours
Muzzle Diameter at Finished Length | Neck Length | |||||||
Contour | 20" | 22" | 24" | 26" | Small Shank | Large Shank | Weight (lbs) | Fluting Option |
Sporter | .661 | .633 | .604 | .575 | 6.900" | 7.290" | 2.95 @ 24" | Not Available |
Heavy Sporter | .747 | .731 | .716 | .700 | 6.900" | 7.290" | 3.38 @ 24" | Not Available |
NSS Palma Contours
Muzzle Diameter at Finished Length | Neck Length | |||||||||
Contour | 20" | 22" | 24" | 26" | 28" | 30" | Neck Dia. | Weight (lbs) | Fluting Option | |
Light Palma | .813 | .800 | .788 | .775 | .763 | .750 | .900 | 4.5 @ 30" | Not Available | |
Medium Palma | .842 | .833 | .825 | .817 | .808 | .800 | .900 | 4.75 @ 30" | Not Available | |
Heavy Palma | .942 | .933 | .925 | .917 | .908 | .900 | 1.00 | 5.75" @ 30" | All Calibers |
Orzu7 (verified owner) –
I have a savage stealth evo which shot pretty well out of the box .4-.7 depending on if it was hand loaded or factory ammo. The same gun with lapped recoil lugs, bolt face and a new barrel shot .2 first time out with the new barrel. Most powders I had bad accuracy with now shoot quite well with this barrel. Can’t wait to see how small the groups shrink as I start load development. I have a fully trued sav target action and 6×47 lapua barrel I can’t wait to test in the near future. If it also shoot well I may buy the new howa barrel nut system for my old howa 1500. Keep up the good job guys!
Robert (verified owner) –
Great I love it in 6.5 Creedmoor for my Savage axis it shot Sub MOA at 450
John Davis (verified owner) –
I have three Criterion Savage prefit, which I shoot on a Shilen DGR action in an MPA chassis. The most recent is a 24” Light Varmint with an 8” twist chambered in 22-250. During load development with 75gr Amaxes, it put three consecutive charges .3gr apart all in the .4s. If you overlaid all three targets, the composite group would be in the .5s. I picked the middle charge and loaded a bunch up and then proceeded to put 5 shots into about 2.5” at 710 yards. With the 26” Varmint 6.5×47 Lapua barrel and it’s favorite load, I have put 4 shots into 3.5” at 830 yards. I haven’t spent much time with the 24” Light Varmint .308 barrel yet, but quickly found a load that will put 10 shots in the .6s at 100 yards. These are the best Barrels I have ever shot and there have been many others from the likes of Douglas, Hart, Krieger, and Brux. Will definitely keep using Criterion.
Michael Browne (verified owner) –
Purchased my Criterion from Northland Shooter’s Supply. The cal. is 6br Norma. At 600 yards 12 out of 15 shots were in the x ring. (3 inches or less at 600) The other three rounds were at around 4 inches at 600 yards. Score 150 12x. This was accomplished at a round count down the barrel of 40 rounds. The hand lapping requires little break in and out of the box accuracy with hand loading is a 10. You will be very satisfied with the quality and accuracy. My barrel is a 28 inch heavy 1:8 twist 6br. on a Savage Model 12 F-class. The bullets are Berger 105 Hybrids and the powder charge is Varget @2750 seated off rifling. Buy one:)
David Keith (verified owner) –
I have two Criterion barrels. One is a 30" .308 barrel which shoots consistent .5 MOA, and a 28" .284 barrel. During load development with the .284 I shot a five shot .25" group using 162 grain Hornady Match bullets. It’s a very accurate rifle to a thousand yards and likely longer distance if I had a place to shoot past 1000.
Ron N (verified owner) –
Criterion barrels are fantastic. My hot loaded .20 Practical holds 5/8 inch groups at 205 yards, and 3" groups at 350 yards. Yes, 3" groups at 350+ yards all day long. I’ve closed out coyotes/foxes/marmots at 400+ with little hold over. Average groups at 100 yards are usually <0.25". The best thing about Criterion is that every barrel I’ve owned shoots lights out. I have a 300 Win with a Criterion 1/11 twist that pushes a 168 ballistic tip at 3,200 fps. The gun shoots .75 to 1" groups at 205 yards and 2" groups at 300 yards. For game hunting, no barrel shoots better.
Matt (verified owner) –
Absolutely love this brand of barrels. I converted my savage model 12 vlp dbm .223 to a 6.5 Creedmoor swapping bolt heads and barrels out, it now has a bell and carlson savage m40 stock with aluminum bedding block with a 26" criterion stainless heavy barrel (varmint contour .815 at the muzzle) and with my current load it will shoot 1/4 inch groups all day long, one ragged hole and this barrel has around 800 rounds through it. Will definitely be buying more after this one is done. If your looking for a good quality barrel for your savage or remington I wouldn’t look any further. Criterion is top quality barrels
Paul Chalupsky (verified owner) –
I have bull contour for my Savage model 12 1 in 12 twist .223. While the factory barrel wasn’t bad ,its nothing like this barrel. Bought the tools ,vise and barrel from them, couldnt be happier. Will shoot quarter in. at 100yds. all day. Thanks Paul in Iowa
Brant H (verified owner) –
An update to my previous review: The 260AI bbl absolutely loves the 140gr AMAX. I recently shot my best group to date measuring 1.125" at 490yd, and I have printed many groups measuring half MOA or less out to 850yd. I am sold on this company and will be buying these barrels for all future builds.
charlie (verified owner) –
I had a 7mm-08 light varmint barrel installed on a remington 700 long action with the barrel nut system. I took the advice of my rifle builder who told me that these barrels were top quality and hand lapped. i worked up one load, that was the "accuracy load" listed in the Sierra Manual, and i used 139 grain hornady SST bullets. The results was several 3 shot groups that can be covered by a dime. I probably will not tinker around with the loads because as is, they are around .425 MOA. I have 85 rounds through the barrel now. the more I shoot it, the more I like it. My next rifle will definately be with the same barrel, but a different caliber. thanks for a awesome product, good service and prompt shipping.
Mike M (verified owner) –
I have installed 10 of these barrels in various calibers and have 3 in the works now. After I true the actions ALL of these barrels have shot 1" or better at 100 yds. with top shelf factory ammo. Most are being shot with hand loads and are producing 1/2 inch or better consistently. The barrels clean up quickly after initial break in of about 10 rounds. So far I am pleased.
Stan Uhlin (verified owner) –
Installed a varmint contour .308 "Savage" barrel in my Remington 700 LH. First trip to range tried Fed Match and two of my favorite reloads-first three groups put 3 rounds in three targets one ragged hole at 100 yards with pictures to prove it! VERY HAPPY with this new "not broke in" barrel-don’t see how it can get any better! Installation was ridiculously easy-hardest part was getting factory barrel out!
Chris A (verified owner) –
My dad built me a 280 Rem. with a CBI bbl from Jim at Northland Shooters Supply with a Stevens action And it Is the most accurate rifle in our collection. it consistently shoots 1/3 moa off a bench . it groups 1.5 inches @ 500 yards if my dad shoots he’s a better shot. FYI this is the first savage he has built no more gunsmiths for him or having to wait 6 months to a year for a rifle to get built or rebarreled
Carl T (verified owner) –
Got the 7mm Mag barrel back in March, finally got the rest of the rifle together to shoot it. Bore sighted @ 100 Y and the first shot was 6" high and 4" to the left, 2 more shots later it was 1" high @ 100 Y which is where we wanted it. Next five shots printed just over 1 MoA. (This was the inexperienced shooter, the guy who I helped build the rifle) (Savage Action btw) He shot another five shots and got similar results. We let the barrel cool and then I got behind it and printed approximately .75 MoA @ 100 Y. I have a lot of rifles with barrels from Shilen, ER Shaw & Bartlien. I’ll say that this Criterion Barrel is just as good as them if not better. Only other barrel I’ve had shoot that great right off the bat was the Bartlien. But they are double the cost. Great work guys!
Greg G (verified owner) –
I ordered a custom barrel, 6mm x 45 with a 1-8" twist, barrel for a Savage action through Northland Shooters. The barrel is a real shooter. It handles everything from a 58 grain Vmax through a Berger 105 gr Match Grade VLD. All the bullets I’ve tested shoot within a minute of angle at 100 yards and 200 yards. Installation was a breeze and cleans up very easily. This is my second Criterion barrel. (20 Practical is the other) It won’t be my last.