Both of these companies supply cut rifles barrels and I would like to offer up an opinion, rather an observation of the two examples I have and my trusty Borescope tool to examine said barrels. Now this is just one barrel of each manufacture and surely not what one would call a critical test and evualation. Lets start with my 1996 Browning BPCR with the Badger barrel. Close examination reveals the rifling tool marks to be as smooth as the bore drill or the top of the lands, if you will. In other words as the cutting tools is pulled through the bore the cutting tool is sharp and makes a smooth and precise cut as the metal is removed on the Badger barrel. The GM barrel reveals a different story, of course my GM barrel could have been cut on a Monday or a Friday, but the tool marks are terrible. Now I'm not a barrel maker, but I do own a lathe and milling machine and I know tool marks when I see them. I have been making chips for 25 years and I would like to hear from other shooters who have examined the bore of match grade rifles with a borescope.
Not having any way to take photos of the bore with the borescope, I'm left to the limitations of the english language to describe what I see. A single point cutting tool as wide as the groove width on a .45 cal. bore must be continually dressed to keep the cutting edge flat and smooth. Production schedules dictate x number of barrels before re-tooling and changing bits. Hand lapping removes only a tiny amount of metal and is not intended or capable of removing serious tool marks from the rifling process. Remember lapping removes equal amounts of metal from the lands as well as the groves. The end result is the finish of the cutting bit and the coolant used determines the "Cut Quality."
I would seriously like to hear from others who have a borescope and had "Eyes On" the bore of these two companies. I am not trying to degrade any of the current barrel suppliers but only to suggest an evualation and add to my knowledge. Let the barrels stand for themselves.
I would offer the consideration of leading and the difficulty of cleaning said leading with the described rough tool marks. Many tool marks to capture lead as the boolit travels down the bore. Just my observations, what say you?