Thread: The Venture Project

I decided it was time to replace my 338 Lapua and I was initially going to do a 300 Win Mag shooting High BC bullets but after making some "Real World" decisions about what I actually wanted to achieve with this gun I decided on 7mm. Specifically 7mm Blaser magnum. I chose this cartridge as I wanted to push a 180 Berger at around 2900- 3000 FPS, its not really a hunting rifle as It will be a bit too heavy, its more for steel plate matches and hunting off the quad. I think It will be about 9 pounds when its finished. ( No Scope). I could have done this with a 300 WSM or perhaps even a SAUM and definitely with a Rem Mag, but I liked the Blaser case and the capacity was spot on. Finally Norma has Brass for it and the NZ Norma Agents have lots in stock.

I kept left field and bought a TC Venture rifle. I like the action, its a smooth 3 Lug action that looks to be quite rigid. The trigger is a fully adjustable unit and the bolt handle can be removed and replaced by one from a TC Dimension. I will likely use a Boyds Stock. I will fit one of my Criterion Barrels and keep it at 28 inches using a Medium Palma profile.

Anyway here are some pictures, I will post some more when the barrel is installed.



The only downside of the Venture is that its not got an especially long mag box. Around 3.44, but as the Blaser Mag is only 2.35 long this isn't an issue.

Criterion Hotel in Napier, my Dad used to own it, HaHa.

Criterion used to be owned by Kreiger. John Kreiger wanted a less expensive option for his customers so he went with button Rifling which is less time consuming that cut rifling. Button rifling can produce barrels the equal of any other type and most bench rest records have been set with buttoned barrels. Anyway a couple of years back the guy who ran his Criterion operation bought it off John Kreiger. The barrels are pull buttoned and have gained a very good reputation for consistency. Criterion also specialises in replacement military barrels and Savage replacement barrels. I got onto them after trying to get one for my Savage Target rifle and the reseller couldn't supply, he did say that they were some of the best barrels he had ever sold and that they were always "In Spec" and that many of his customers were getting 1/4 MOA and better from pre-chambered fit yourself barrels. I went directly to Criterion and they agreed to make me the NZ Distributor.

I have sold a few to Scott Traill and Mitch Maxberry and they were very happy with them. Mitch said the steel machined very well and that the bore was perfectly centred in the blank. Esentially they are a Premium match grade tube the equal of any NZ made barrel.

Herbmiester, We're in the process of developing a Lee Enfield No.4 barrel based largely upon a number of requests we have been receiving from New Zealand and Australia. If you are interested in becoming a distributor of that barrel model please let us know. It would be great to have a point of contact to refer any future inquiries. I can be reached via email at contact@criterionbarrels.com.

Thanks!

Josh

Josh

I have spoken to Stephanie about the No4 Barrels but unfortunately they were not ready when my last shipment left, I am keen on getting quite a few of these as my Service Rifle customers are already asking about them. I will be doing another order early in the new year as the P14/M17/Garand and AR barrels have sold really well. I will be at the Shot Show so we can catch up then.

John

hard case way to do business. Email must be down.

Its good to see a supplier getting on the forums, good to know they are taking an interest at grass roots level.

I was thinking the same Tahr

Criterion barrels can we get some "forum sponsorship" as many on hear have built and do build many custom builds very frequently.

Plus it would get a bunch of rifles out with your name all over them sounds like a win win

Originally Posted by Herbmiester

Its good to see a supplier getting on the forums, good to know they are taking an interest at grass roots level.

Come on. You are an agent for them. It was a jack up.

As an aside, what would it cost for a smith to have one of your blanks profiled to sporter, cut to 20" and chambered? Just ball park.

No Jack up I can promise you that. If the forum wants to do a deal on barrels I am happy to take a lesser margin. I am open to some forum sponsorship, just PM me how it works. I will check with a gunsmith on the profiling costs.

Mitch Maxberry charges $350 to profile, chamber and fit.

ssrnz quoted me chamber fit and crown.. 250$ reprofile prob extra though, extra $80 for barrel thread and cap made

Ask homebrew for re profiling barrels, he seems to be doing pretty well ;-)

I realise I have probably crossed a line by advertising commercially without paying my dues so to speak. I apologise to the administrators of this fine site for that and I will happily play by the rules and become a commercial sponsor going forward. Just let me know what I have to do.

If our name keeps popping up on the forum and through our web analytics we'd certainly be inclined to put together a forum sponsorship. Feel free to send any sponsorship package info to contact@criterionbarrels.com