Benchmark Expands Centerfire Barrel Line
Benchmark Barrels of Arlington, Washington has earned a stellar reputation for its rimfire barrels. Many of the most accurate rimfire BR rigs in the country sport Benchmark barrels. Benchmark pioneered the 2-groove barrel, and its reverse-taper blanks, in 2-groove, 3-groove, and 6-groove, are in high demand. Benchmark is known for the quality of its lapping work and its ability to craft a precise progressive taper (or “choke”) along the full length of the barrel. Typically, Benchmark’s rimfire barrels are hand-lapped with .0006-.0007″ of internal bore taper. This is an even, slight reduction of bore diameter–not just a choke at the end.
Centerfire Barrel Production
Benchmark offers a full range of centerfire calibers now, from .22 all the way up to .50 caliber. The three-groove, standard land, 8-twist 6mm barrel has been shooting exceptionally well, and Benchmark recently acquired new buttons so it can deliver 1:7″ and 1:9″ twists too. The 6.5mm barrels and 30 caliber barrels have been shooting very well also according to match reports. Benchmark can deliver both canted-land and conventional land versions of its centerfire barrels. Which shoots best? According to barrel-maker Ron Sinnema, “the 6mm 3-grooves with standard lands are working great. Bruce Baer tried one recently and said is was exceptionally accurate.” And for customers who prefer cut-rifled barrels, Benchmark now offers cut rifling in most bore sizes, from .22LR all the way up to rifled shotgun bores.
Great Value: $250.00 for a Premium Centerfire Barrel
Benchmark barrels are attractively priced. A centerfire blank with 27.5″ finished length costs just $250.00. Sinnema noted: “That’s our highest quality — we only sell one grade”. A variety of contours are available and (at added cost) Benchmark can provide fluting or an octagon barrel profile.
Rimfire barrels cost $325.00. They are more expensive because of the extra hand labor required. Ron explains: “The taper lapping is very time-consuming on the rimfire — but that’s one secret to their accuracy.”
Benchmark has a website “under construction”. For more info, contact Benchmark by phone, fax, or email:
Benchmark Barrels
Ron Sinnema, Barry Graber
1105 Pioneer Hwy East
Arlington, WA 98223
phone: (360) 652-2594
email: benchmarkbarrels [at] yahoo.com
I can say this: I have a .308 bore 11twist 3 groove from these folks and it is nothing short of Awesome!!!!!!!!!
Chambered in 308win and throated for a 175SMK — I only needed 36 rounds for full breakin ( 1 and clean for the first 4 then 3, then 5 until it would show -0- copper ) I now have 366 rounds through it by my log and have only cleaned every 85 or so rounds and on my last cleaning I was done after 3patches of hoppes*9, 8nylon brush pushes, 1hoppes*9 – dry patch and 1- 15 minute soak w/Sweets- followed by 1 patch of alcohol/Dry patch and a lite kroil patch( I dry patch before shooting ) After this regimine I had -0- carbon or copper!!!!!!!!!!!
I should also note w/ a tuned load of 44.9 Varget, BR2 , Lapua brass ( full prep ) and 175 SMK seated .020 off this barrel does sub 2inch by 2inch 5 shot groups @ 600yds. from a Bipod and rear bag!!!!!!!!!!
Simply AWESOME
My friends and I are now using Benchmark exclusively. We’ve used several other high end barrel makers but now we won’t use anything other than Benchmark. We’ve tested these barrels out to 1,122yds so far… and the accuracy is amazing (easily sub MOA). We’ve shot as well as 1/4 MOA out to 600yds, 1/2 MOA beyond 700yds (obviously conditions can have dramatic impact on accuracy at long range). Clay pigeons can be hit from over 1000yds! So far we’ve used Benchmark barrels chambered in 243 win, 308 win, and 7wsm, and we have a 6.5×284, and a 7x300wsm on the way. We’ve been using their 3-groove barrels wich seem to have very little copper fouling, high MV’s and buck the wind better than they should. Benchmark makes one grade of barrel…excellent!
I have had 2 6.5×47 lapua rifles, 1 300 win mag, 2 308s, all benchmark barrels, all shoot 1/4 moa or better with handloads at 100yards and my recent 6.5×47 lapua shoot just under 1/5 moa at 920 yards. I will never shoot anything else again. you wont meet cooler guys either.
correction not 1/5 moa 1/2 moa oops.
For us that are learning, MOA (Minute of Angle) = 1.0471996 Rounded off 1.05 of a Inch or 1 Inch of Angle at 100 yrd’s…1/2 MOA rounded 1/2 inch or .5023 of a Inch.
Just trying to learn here, I think my last group of 7 was 1.05 or 1 inch at 100 yrd’s…1 inch group at 100 yrd’s. 30/30 winchester 180 gr , 1800 fps 1973
Is this correct ? Never to late to get the Bug.
Thanks, Roger
They are simply the best barrels! I have used Kreiger, Lilja and Hart but nothing comes close to Benchmark.
Sir…I need a replacement barrel for my 1893 Marlin Safety Rifle.
Since I am replacing the barrel, I want to change the Length and
the caliber of this 38-55 Rifle. Was hoping to get an Octagon Barrel
about 28 or 30 inch length.
Not sure of caliber change, something inexpensive to shoot, I suppose.
You Sir, might offer some suggestions… Also need TWO barrels for
my 1902 Colt 38 acp pistols. Thank You so very much.
Gary C. Delaney…
clayton47@Live.com
P.S…I am in southern Ontario, Canada…
I had a 22-243 put together by these guys. After 48 rounds it was fully broken in. I am now shooting sub 1/4 5 shot groups at a hundred all day with the occasional .15-.18 if I am doing my part. Shooting a 69 gr sierra @ 3628 with 6 fps extreme spread. Hat goes off to Benchmark!