bullberry or mgm

[varmint killer]

i am wanting to get a 6.5 bullberry barrel for my g2. with maker would you go with? I am looking for  a realy accurate barrel

[Gdbyrd]

My first barrel was from Bullberry in 22 k hornet.  The workmanship is amazing.  Barrel is super solid, it's 10" but it shoots under 1" at 100 yards with factory ammo, on most days anyway.  I love the feel of the barrel, it just feels well made.


However, I have read that you have to wait awhile for his barrels.  I bought mine because it was in his current inventory and I've always wanted a hornet.


The barrel I just ordered was MGM, it should be in hand in about a week or two.  So far their customer support has been really great.  I remember with Bullberry, even though the barrel was IN STOCK, I had to wait almost 3 weeks to get it.  I called 4 or 5 times and was treated politely, but was never given a straight answer as to what was taking so long.  One time I called and they told me they had sold the barrel before I ordered it and I'd have to wait 3-6 months, even though I had already paid for it...after about 15 minutes on the phone that got cleared up, but it still took another week or so to get it. 


With MGM, I've called them twice and sent them 3 or so emails and always been gotten back with immediately.  They seem to be a higher volume shop(although I could be mistaken).


I don't think you can really go wrong with either.  But you may want to call around and see which place has the longest waits.  Another person to consider is SSK, I've heard his turn around time and workmanship is great.  I'll be able to speak of the quality/workmanship of MGM stuff shortly.


Best of luck!

[Czech_too]

I'm quite pleased with those barrel(s) which I have from both.  In this instance, I would look at the delivery date, if that is a concern, and any difference in cost.
just my opinion,
Brian

[Dezynco]

I have 3 Bullberry barrels and they're all excellent.  One of them is an 8" 45-70 barrel that will shoot 1" groups at 100 yards if I don't flinch!
 
But I waited, and waited, and waited, and waited...........

[buckeye509]

I have 4 BB, and one MGM. I like them all. I waited a long time to get the BB. MGM was in stock, a 308 rifle barrel that I had fluted. Tough decision. The 357 MAX and 44 Mag are BB, 12" SS. Print tight groups with reloads. I have not developed a MOA load for the 308 yet, due to time constraints. I have not yet shot the other 2 BB, a 32-20 10" and 40 S&W 8" in handgun. Quality of craftsmanship on all are very good. Best of luck in your decision.

[Ladobe]

I've owned a h_ll of a lot of Bullberry barrels starting from about the mid to late 80's and used to always recommend them or SSK (whose barrels I've also had a bunch of since the early 80's) as the best out there.   While the quality is still usually there with BBW barrels, Fred's every day business practices have gone south IMO, way south.   
 
In recent years if I had wanted another custom barrel my first choice would be SSK, and my second would be MGM.   That's really saying something about how far MGM has come from their days as VVCG (when I wouldn't be caught dead with one of their barrels).   Both of them have a quick turn around (something BBW has never had)... and if price is a concern MGM usually has the best deal going out of all three of them.
 
FWIW - YMMV
 
 
 

[David D.]

Cant comment on BB barrels as I have never owned one. I have several made to order MGM barrels. They all are quality barrels and the wait has never been over what I was quoted. I have a couple SSK barrels. They are pricey but worth it.

[Jay, Tx]

I have a BBW barrel. Actually, they built the whole rifle for me. I ordered it in April, and they ran me down to the wire on getting before an Elk hunt I had ordered it for. A member here, who had ties with BBW got involved and helped convince them to get things moving.

As for quality? No complaints there at all. But the wait and delays were less than desirable.

I'll order from MGM from now on.

[tatonka]

I currently own 3 Bullberry barrels for the Contender, They are all built well and shoot fantastic. I've owned the barrels for several years. My lead time from Bullberry was about 3 weeks. I've never owned an MGM or SSK barrel although I have griends that do and they all say nothing but good things about those  also. Good shooting.

[243dave]

I bought a Bullberry in 308 ten years ago and its a shooter.  Suppose to be a 3 month wait but it ended up over 6 months.  Quality and accuracy is second to none, it will shoot a honest 5 shots into a quarter inch at 100yds consistantly.  Don't know how their products are as of late but most everyone has always complained of their delivery times.
Dave

[SD Handgunner]

I have never had an MGM Barrel but did have one VVCG Barrel. It was a great barrel which I should have never sold. In addition I have had a couple Bullberry Barrels, one good one, one not so good. The not so good one Fred replaced no questions asked. That was many years ago. I have had a couple SSK Barrels and had SSK Rechamber a Factory Barrel for me. All were top notch.
 
I guess if I were to order a new barrel tomorrow, I'd more than likely go with MGM if I didn't have the funds for a SSK Barrel.
 
Larry

[OK hunter]

I have owned Bullberry and MGM barrels and honestly believe you will be thrilled with either.  I have migrated over to MGM barrels as I don't have any forearms with hanger bar cutouts and am not inclined to attempt it myself nor send one off to be fitted.  But that is the only reason I would not purchase a new Bullberry barrel today.  I just ordered my 4th MGM barrel, a 20" 460 S&W Mag in their triangular contour.

[dant]

 Chances are you will get a good barrel from MGM, but if you don't......... I just received a MGM Encore 445 Supermag barrel that had two scratches inside the barrel midway and one big scratch in the bore near the muzzle. Sent it back priority mail so they would have it back ASAP, it sat there in their shop from 12/12 till 12/23 before I got an email back saying they don't rifle the blanks so they won't replace it. They acknowledge the barrel ( new barrel at a cost of 365.00 ) is scratched inside the bore but basically said tough luck ! Shouldn't they look inside the barrel blank before they make a $ custom barrel out of it ? Can't comment on Bullberry much, have had a couple used ones and they were fine, good shooters. Good luck whichever you choose.
I should add that I've ordered in the area of 30 barrels from MGM, most have been great, have had 4 with problems that they would not correct , 3 of them all in one order. The fourth being the barrel mentioned above.

[martineta]

I have both Bullberry and MGM.  Happy as a clam and would buy both again.