BARTLEIN BARRELS CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE

[UpSideDown]

Come back to this thread and share your barrel life and load data over your next few barrels.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Come back to this thread and share your barrel life and load data over your next few barrels.

This isn't my first rodeo...or barrel. Why would I need to do that when I have years of experience with RUMs on the front end of this as a reference? Very similarly configured at that.

 

[Tumbleweed]

how many rounds were you expecting to get out of it?

Knowing that 800 accurate rounds (.5 MOA) from personal experience is possible from a REGULAR stainless barrel in RUM, with the 400MOD I had hoped for 1000 to potentially 1200 out of this one. While I pulled it at 460, it was in all reality gone at 300-350 rounds.

 

[NK Hunter]

I think this has pretty much wound the subject out. Bad personal experiences do happen and are unfortunate. But without firsthand observation/knowledge of all the contributing factors, "claims" is all we have to go on and I have multiple pro smiths I work with who have long-standing positive experiences with Bartlein. Personally have a 400MOD on a 7 Allen Mag which has 106 gr of RL33 running through it, and also a custom 27 Nosler. So far, so good. Kirby Allen strongly discouraged me from doing the +P when I brought it up to him. He's a metallurgist and has his observations and experience with the concept. Seems some guys make out well with it, others not so much. Makes me curious what Kirby would say about this particular case. He pretty much only uses Bartlein on his builds anymore. He has his reasons.

Some of this is personality & ego stuff. I won't let my emotions or ego keep me from a product that serves me well. If it was me, I'd be doing the test on the same barrel without +P (same chambering, etc) and seeing what happens.

 

[Gargoyle]

Buddy, that ship has sailed and I've already explained why. Regardless of whether the barrel was replaced or not, I had a poor customer experience with very poor communication. As stated before, I felt somewhat insulted and essentially called a liar. That's red zone for me and I will not do business with a company like that again, ever. I'm just happy that my barrel is on the way back so I can do some in stock measurements in order to get another barrel on order.

Then just accept that your life will always be harder with your foolish pride. You aren't seeking a solution here even though it was offered. You are just slandering because someone in a shop had to do their due diligence on warranty issues and doesn't even know you personally. You're a thick one, buddy.

 

[DangerRanger]

I do find it interesting the dichotomy of this forum largely jumping on the Bart is right you abused the barrel train while simultaneously having a lot of strong opinions about not cleaning barrels that vanish into thin air when Bartlien posts about it being vital to barrel life and health on the same thread

I do at least know now that if my creed shits the bucket at 1k rounds because of what I’ve read on here not to bother calling lol

 

[Tumbleweed]

Then just accept that your life will always be harder with your foolish pride. You aren't seeking a solution here even though it was offered. You are just slandering because someone in a shop had to do their due diligence on warranty issues and doesn't even know you personally. You're a thick one, buddy.

Making a lot of assumptions here and you clearly have a reading/comprehension problem. The solution was sought over several long weeks. In posting this up (which I had no intention of doing) I was finally able to get a piece of my property on its way back and to make others aware of a bad customer service experience... regardless of whether they opted to replace the barrel or not.

I can sleep good at night, principles are of much more value to me than a half off barrel after this fiasco. BTW, there was no slander here, I didn't attack anyone personally, I'm sure they're good people. As a business, they pushed me too far on this one.

 

[Gargoyle]

Making a lot of assumptions here and you clearly have a reading/comprehension problem. The solution was sought over several long weeks. In posting this up (which I had no intention of doing) I was finally able to get a piece of my property on its way back and to make others aware of a bad customer service experience... regardless of whether they opted to replace the barrel or not.

I can sleep good at night, principles are of much more value to me than a half off barrel after this fiasco. BTW, there was no slander here, I didn't attack anyone personally, I'm sure they're good people. As a business, they pushed me too far on this one.

Like I said, you're a thick one.

 

[Axlrod]

The owner has posted a few times on your thread. Explained why you had to wait a couple weeks, and offered a solution. This is WAY better customer service on an unfinished part, than I have received on complete systems. Ones that did not work correctly out of the box from Ruger, Christensen Arms, Smith & Wesson, Gunwerks and a Samsung oven!

It is time to play the song by Motley Crue...

Girl don't go away mad, girl just go away

 

[5811]

Customer service is a very subjective experience. Everyone who's ever made or sold anything knows nothing is 100 percent rated, you can't win them all.

The OP and the company have chimed in very respectfully and articulately. I don't think anyone needs to win or be run off with pitchforks. I appreciate everything that was shared so we can all learn something.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Customer service is a very subjective experience. Everyone who's ever made or sold anything knows nothing is 100 percent rated, you can't win them all.

The OP and the company have chimed in very respectfully and articulately. I don't think anyone needs to win or be run off with pitchforks. I appreciate everything that was shared so we can all learn something.

I agree, and thank you. At this point it's whiners and bitchers wanting to stir the pot. Like playing with pigs in the mud if you participate

 

[Darryle]

Knowing that 800 accurate rounds (.5 MOA) from personal experience is possible from a REGULAR stainless barrel in RUM, with the 400MOD I had hoped for 1000 to potentially 1200 out of this one. While I pulled it at 460, it was in all reality gone at 300-350 rounds.

Was this your first personal +P RUM barrel?

Previous personal barrel life experience with the +P chamber if not?

 

[Tumbleweed]

Was this your first personal +P RUM barrel?

Previous personal barrel life experience with the +P chamber if not?

It was. However...my last barrel that went 800 accurate rounds had a long, match throat of my design that offered very similar, if not the same performance as the +P.

 

[NK Hunter]

So far, I have approx. 200 rounds through a 7 Allen Mag with a partial +P throat on a Bartlein 400MOD. Got some fire cracking with 106 gr of RL33 blowing through, but no visually perceptible erosion. Pretty impressed actually though it's probably rough enough to give some trouble to a thin-jacketed lead core the way it is at these velocities on an 8 twist. It has only shot 4 times for game - 4 for 4...the rest has all been load-development/bullet testing for various mono companies so a bit harder use than a dedicated hunting rifle. Would definitely do it again. Recently switched the load around to Retumbo behind the 147 Apex running 3730 fps and the 160 McGuire @ 3470 for terminal testing, so hopefully a little easier on the bore...

 

[Wrench]

I chambered a 2b in a m70 and of course I had to float the mcmillan edge to fit it, so I bedded the channel with a layer of polyken for clearance. Long story short, it shot like I had a busted scope. I swapped scopes, I opened the bases to 8-40 and clearanced the screw.....nothing would work.

I called bartlein and mark told me that the 10 twist I ordered wasn't fast enough for a 215 hybrid. I just let it die there. I've chambered 3 other rifles with the exact same reamer and 10tw and they all hammer.

I called Greg at bugholes and he sent me another 2b which I cut to match the dud inlet. Barrel #2 is a hammer with 225eldm's. I have been staring at the dud for over a year but won't waste my money shipping it back wrapped in the dozens of 3 moa targets it shot because of the stories I have heard.....and it will be my fault for trying to push a 215 with a 10 twist.

 

[wind gypsy]

I chambered a 2b in a m70 and of course I had to float the mcmillan edge to fit it, so I bedded the channel with a layer of polyken for clearance. Long story short, it shot like I had a busted scope. I swapped scopes, I opened the bases to 8-40 and clearanced the screw.....nothing would work.

I called bartlein and mark told me that the 10 twist I ordered wasn't fast enough for a 215 hybrid. I just let it die there. I've chambered 3 other rifles with the exact same reamer and 10tw and they all hammer.

I called Greg at bugholes and he sent me another 2b which I cut to match the dud inlet. Barrel #2 is a hammer with 225eldm's. I have been staring at the dud for over a year but won't waste my money shipping it back wrapped in the dozens of 3 moa targets it shot because of the stories I have heard.....and it will be my fault for trying to push a 215 with a 10 twist.

Curious tangent here - if slugging a bore, borescope inspection, and measured run-out dont indicate any manufacturing issues, what do you think is a reasonable expectation from a barrel manufacturer?

 

[Wrench]

Curious tangent here - if slugging a bore, borescope inspection, and measured run-out dont indicate any manufacturing issues, what do you think is a reasonable expectation from a barrel manufacturer?

I would have to think you've touched on everything. It looks good as far as surface finish and the chambering went well....it just shoots like garbage.

I didn't slug it because they wanted it back dirty, but hearing these stories I just elected to take a $425 loss vs that plus shipping to hear a story. I lost a lot of faith with the "10 twist isn't enough".

 

[TxLite]

I would have to think you've touched on everything. It looks good as far as surface finish and the chambering went well....it just shoots like garbage.

I didn't slug it because they wanted it back dirty, but hearing these stories I just elected to take a $425 loss vs that plus shipping to hear a story. I lost a lot of faith with the "10 twist isn't enough".

Did you try shooting anything lighter to confirm that the barrel is the issue?

10 twist should absolutely be enough but it would be an easy way to squash that argument with them and get your money back.

 

[Wrench]

Did you try shooting anything lighter to confirm that the barrel is the issue?

10 twist should absolutely be enough but it would be an easy way to squash that argument with them and get your money back.

I shot berger 215s and 200.20x neither was better than 3moa consistently. The new tube is a hammer with those as well.

 

[ihookem]

Well, after all these posts, I got to wondering. I have no interest in a Magnum blaster that runs 100 gr. of powder . That being said, I live 20 miles from Bartlein Barrels and would likely go with them if I want a custom barrel.. Some questions are, just for target shooting, what would be the most practical cartridge? I have 223 Rem. Seems like it would be real easy on the barrel. A 6.5 Creedmore? A .308 Win. is much more than I need for 200 yd. paper. I have met some of the guys from Bartlein Barrels at my gun club. They sure like their guns. The ones I saw were at least 1.25" barrels and very expensive scopes . They all out shot me . However, I still could run well under an inch with my Savage 12 bull barrel in .223Rem. They were all right around .5" and some even less. That said , I think wonder what Frank would say about a 200 Yd. target gun. He has not been on here in a long time.