Criterion, McGowan or Shilen barrel?

[ewetho]

I had a 26" Shilen Varmint Taper in 308 Win (not select match) that shot very well, but I thought I had hurt it. Replaced it with a matching Criterion 28" Bull of my 300 WM and they both shoot lights out. Turns out my Shilen is OK (already had my Criterion) and my problem was bad boxes of 178 ELD-X bullets that shot 4 MOA not the 3/4 MOA the hot load was worked up to be. Last two boxes were shot from same lots of brass, powder, primers, and loaded same time. Just two seperate lots of bullets confirmed my problem.

 

[Varminterror]

In general, I would rank Shilen > Criterion > McGowen.

 

[TonyAngel]

Any reason Krieger isn’t on your list? Just wondering if I’m missing something.

Of the three listed I’ve only used criterion and that was in an ar15 and I believe it to be the premiere “combat” barrel.