Colt=E.R. Shaw blanks
LMT=Mike Rock, Rock Creek Barrels

Both are chromed by U.S. Chrome

Denny

Quoted: Beats me... I think LMT uses Wilson blanks, I think Colt makes their own. FWIW: My Colt's and my LMT's shoot pretty much the same groups. I've been pretty pleased with LMT.

Colt DOES make some of their own barrels and also buy from the ER Shaw.



C4

I have learned quit a bit, as has Paul at Bravo, as I ventured into the world of having my own exclusive barrels made.

1. Each barrel is a rule unto itself in terms of what ammo/load it likes.  Even barrels build to identical specs by the same mfg. can vary somewhat in this regard.

2. You do get what you pay for.  The top of the line barrels will consistantly shoot great.  Some a little better than others, but all will out shoot the shooter.  You can get lucky a buy a lesser barrel that shoots like a house a fire, but it is luck.

3. People will argue endlessly over what is the superior barrel steel, 4140, 4150, chrome vanadium, 416 Grade 70 (called Stanless Steel) but actually with a very carbon content.  Actually they are all good.  It just depends on the intended use of the barrel.  The myth that 416 (stanless??)  wears out in no time at all has been debunked.  Most 416 barrels owned by average shooters will never be shot out.
They will always out shoot a chrome lined 4140 or 4150 barrel and I think where the "worn out" thing comes from is that after 10 to 15K rounds they drop from shooting .5" and open up to 1"  and some consider that shot out.  Actually they are still out shooting 90% of the chrome bores at that point in their life span.

4.  LMT and my soon to be coming Operator barrels are done diffently than other chrome lined barrels on the market.  Other chome lined barrels go to the plater with a standard bore and a slightly oversided chamber.  The barrels are then electro etched (opened up) to eat away enough bore to make room for the chrome.  The blanks (chrome vanadium) that we get from Mike Rock are cut oversize to allow for the chrome plating and are not etched.  My belief is that this keeps the rifling sharp and results in better accuracy for the chrome bore.

5.  In summary, pick the barrel that suits your needs and budget.  Be practical about your expectations for the barrel and the use you are going to be putting it to.  There is no point in spending $300 to $500 for a casual plinker and also no point in putting lower end barrel on your high dollar custom build.

Generally, buy the best barrel you can afford or which meets the criteria of you ultimate goal with your rifle.

Denny