At HLR we get the question of what brand barrels do you recommend for my build. I usually answer by saying most barrel manufactures are good to go. Then I add I personally shoot Hawk Hill Custom on my guns.
My first gear review is going to be on Hawk Hill Barrels out of Verona, VA. Shawn Burkholder started Hawk Hill Customs to build on his love for long range shooting. Shawn was taught his trade of metal work by his Father in law long time tool and die maker.
My first experience with Hawk Hill was an initial barrel order from a new barrel maker in 2015 for our accuracy demanding sport of long range Bench Rest. The first barrel I pulled out of the box was a custom contour 6mm 1:8 Twist blank. I quickly chambered it for my BAT SV in 6BR. A standard .271 Neck BR would give this barrel a true test and require no special brass forming or neck turning. This combination provides a test to the barrel only and keeps the loading components the constant. This experiment is easily reproducible with standard reloading. Initial testing showed promise and I decided to continue tuning. After a great break in and small test groups at 600 Yards I took this barrel to the 2015 MO State 600 Yard Championship. The barrel shot well dirty or clean bore. My test for this was confirmed during the 2 day match. I cleaned the barrel between relays day 1 netting a 2.095″ group aggregate with the small group being 1.179″. Day 2 I shot the entire match without cleaning and netted a 2.183 aggregate for the 8 targets. I took home the sweep with the 2 gun championship and the rest is history.
Test showed very easy break in and cleaning of every Hawk Hill barrel through the shop.
Concentricity of the bore has been amazing compared to other brands.
The following barrel was shot in my PRS rifle for the 2016 season.
Test Barrel Number 1
6mm Remington Varmint contour 1:8 Twist 26”
0.237 Bore Diameter
6 Dasher HLR reamer 0.272 Neck
Load: 105 Gr Berger Hybrid .015 Jump, 32.6gr Varget, Normal Case, CCI 450 Primer
Initial MV-2920 FPS, ES-9 FPS, SD-4.2 FPS
Initial testing showed great accuracy with new Norma cases at 32.6gr Varget
Documented 2000 rnds on barrel of match shooting.
Another group testing during off season with a new bullet at 0.020” off the lands and a total growth in the throat of 0.050”.
Group pictures shot from concrete bench at 600 Yards in little to no wind. I confirmed these groups with another trip to the range and took them out to 1050 Yards. The 1050 Yard group measured 6.250” and had 4 shots in 4”. A review with the Hawkeye bore scope on this barrel showed mild fire cracking approx 2.5-3″ in front of chamber.
This has been the normal experience with all Hawk Hill blanks. Hawk Hill utilizes cut rifling on 416 Stainless steel blanks. Hawk Hill is committed to quality not quantity. Hawk Hill has reduced taking new business and continues to produce super accurate rifle barrels. This shows in every shipment that comes through the door.
Author: Ryan Hunt,2016 MOST Series Champion, 2014 IBS 600 Yard National Champion, Current IBS 600 yard world record holder