I have a SS fluted 223 barrel, since discontinued. When I got it, it was rough in the bore. It would copper foul in five shots or less, then the groups would open up. I could get a .5 group with five shots and from there every thing went South. I polished the heck out of it. I started out giving it 200 strokes with Mother's Polish. I then shot it 20 times. Copper fouled again. Cleaned it and gave it another 150 strokes. Shot it 20 times. I kept this regiment up for 7 - 8 times at least, giving it 150+ strokes of metal polish each time. Some times I used JB Bore Bright. I did this until It would not copper foul any more after 20 shots. I can now shoot it with out copper fouling and get groups in the .3 - .4 range on a very regular basis. Some times it will shoot under .3". I am very happy with this barrel, but it took some elbow grease and lots of patience to get it this way. I also have a 221 barrel. I polished it to start with, before ever firing a shot. While the 223 barrel likes to be clean to shoot it's best, the 221 barrel likes to be dirty. I paid $99 with a barrel wrench for the 223 barrel and $129 for the 221 barrel. Both were Savage barrels pre-chambered and threaded. Neither one of them would hold up in a bench rest competition, but they do shoot more than good enough for informal target shooting and varmints. I am very satisfied with them, and would buy another for an every day rifle.