Hart Barrels

[Mikey]

A friend has asked if I might be interested in a Winchester Model 70, 30-06, with a Hart Barrel.

I haven't yet seen the rifle but understand it is clean.  It was owned by a target shooter who used it for paper punching.  It would appear that he preferred to shoot the 168 gn bullet.  I do not know how much use the rifle has seen.

I know little about the Hart Barrels.  Is this the type of barrel that can be purchased from someone or someplace other than the barrel maker and installed locally or does Hart require the action sent to them for barrel installation?  Would you think they would maintain any records so I might get an indication of how old the barrel is? 

Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks.  Mikey.

[Doesniper]

Hart barrels will sell you a barrel blank installed, or as a blank alone to be installed buy your gunsmith. They have a good reputation over many years, but if a gunsmith doesn't do the job right, it won't do what you want it to do. Look for a benchrest gunsmith or a barrel maker like Hart for a quality job, if you have a new barrel installed.

[Mikey]

Doesniper - thanks.  Mikey.

[StrawHat]

From what I have read, no actual experience with a Hart barrel, Harts are a very good barrel when properly installed.

What are your plans for the rifle?  Benchrest competition or hunting?

If competition, I can offer no help as that is not where I have any knowledge.

If you are going to use this as a hunting rifle, you will have a great barrel that should give you more accuracy than you need for many years to come.

Keep us posted and good luck.

[Rogue Ram]

I have used Hart, Krieger, Lilja, PacNor....   had the Hart on a Ruger M77 in .270.  I do not recall if Hart barrels are cut rifled or not, I seem to think they are. Mine was installed by Darrell Holland many years back. Just like Doesniper said, most of it is the smith. Mine was a tack driver but it did take some break in.  If its installed correctly and all other things like bedding and scope rings, etc., are done right the gun may welll be a tack driver. Hart barrels are usually up to the task.     Personally I am floored by my M1A barreled with a Krieger but that's another story. Call Hart, run the guys name by them, they should have records.

RR

[Mikey]

Thanks guys.  Mikey.

[ssghelmick]

Heart barrels are button rifled and are a quality barrel. I have never used a Heart personally but I know a smith who builds rifles for High-power competition and uses Heart exclusively.

I guess it boils down to what you have had good luck with and for me that has been Lilja and Krieger so I tend to stick with them although I did just buy a Pac-nor and also have two ER Shaws and all of them shoot but Lilja and krieger seem to do it with a little smaller groupes than the others.

I would be more concerned with the fact he was a target shooter and wonder how many rounds the barrel has seen than I would be about the fact that it has a Heart barrel or when it was purchased. A hunting rifle usually doesn't see that many rounds even from the most red hot sportsman but a rifle built for a target shooter is another story.

Good luck