I have a soft spot for William of Occam, so I'll give you an answer.
Some of these makers compete for customers among the best benchrest shooters in the world. If they knew how to eliminate the so-so, the good, and the better-than-average, and offer only "the best," they would do so, advertise & guarantee this, and set a price to match.
While not everyone would want to pay that price, the question as to "best" would be so apparent it would not arise. Since it does, draw the obvious conclusion.
(By the way, you left out Border, Madco & no doubt some others.)
After the ruckus over actions I guess I'd better stay out of this one, but...
"I prefer blondes--how could you possibly suggest that redheads are more attractive."
"And by the way--exactly how many beauty contests have you officially judged anyway??"
People should not get offended by other people's opinions. I'm only interested in opinions, since there are no real facts here, just people that believe their opinions are fact.
I'm just interested in what barrels you use on your best shooting rifles, really, your experience is important to me.
If Mr. Roscoe is so sure about any one type of barrel I assume that he always wins unless there's a better shooting Kreiger where he's competing.
Who's the best? Which is a good value?
Stainless or CM?
Krieger
Hart
Douglas
Lothar Walther
Adams and Bennet
Lilja
Shilen
Broughton
Spencer
Lawton
ER Shaw