Author Topic: Bullberry VS Virgin Valley (Read 873 times)

Encore28 · « **on:** February 17, 2004, 05:14:24 PM »

I am sure this question has been asked before BUT I need some input. I am going to be ordering a new barrel in a week or so (A .257 Roberts or a .257 Weatherby Mag). I have a Fox Ridge barrel which is a good shooter and a Eabco barrel which is nice too BUT I want a custom barrel with an accuracy guarantee.
Any info is greatly appreciated............
Thanks in advance,
Encore28

contendernut · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2004, 05:35:37 PM »

Encore28,

Before making any final choice, I would look at VVCG, Bullberry, SSK and OTT.

I tried a barrel from Dave Van Horn but couldn't ever get what I ordered. Other reports say that his barrels are exellent shooters though.

I haven't tried a OTT barrel yet but will before long. I've heard nothing but praise on Mike S's work.

I tend to like BB's barrels a little better than VVCG's. Of all the barrels I've had from both, they shoot a little better than VVCG's. But most of them are from before VVCG and it was VVCG's crew doing the work. I don't really like some of Fred's ideas on the blueing and scope position. Fred (Bullberry) takes extra care polishing the lug on barrels and it sometimes doesn't come out blued perfect. He also drills the scope holes forward of the chamber. His reasoning is safety for the barrel, but non of the other makers seem to have the problems that he is trying to avoid. The hole spacing would work good though for carbine barrels. BB is going to take at least a couple months and VVCG isn't much better.

SSK tends to be my first choice in custom work. There work is top notch from the barrels I've got. They use to be a lot higher ($$$) than either VVCG or BB but both of the latter companies have raised there prices quite a bit lately. As it turns out, I've gotten rid of a few barrels I no longer shoot and have kept mostly SSK barrels.

All of the above is for Contender barrels. Also some of the comments may be off a little as I haven't ordered anything from most of them in the past year or so.

Encore28 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2004, 05:45:24 PM »

Gary
Thanks for the info-Who is OTT and how do I get in contact with them??
Thanks again
Encore28

skb2706 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2004, 05:07:04 AM »

If you don't mind the wait either one of them do an excellent job. The fit, finish and accuracy of my BB barrels and my VVCG barrel is so close I can't tell much difference. Just plan on waiting about 4 months for either of them........the cost is relative.

DannoBoone · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2004, 03:15:10 PM »

Before ordering my first custom barrel, I compared and got info on BB,
SSK, and VVCG. SSK may make an excellent barrel, but I could get a
very decent bolt action for the price of their Encore barrel. Both BB and
VVCG were (and I believe still are) a couple bills less. There were those
on this and other forums who complained about the length of time it took
to get one from Bullberry. So I called Steve Stratton at Virgin Valley and
he told me it would take two months to make a Tactical 20 to my specs.
Almost to the day of 60, I was the proud owner of a barrel that with good
loads will get 3/8" groups on a bad day, doing its best at just over 1/8",
while 1/4" groups being the norm. MOA was the guarentee. They could
have guaranteed 1/2MOA on this one!

As for their turn-around time, Steve explained that it just depended on
the time of the year and how many orders they have at a given time. I've
gotten two barrels from them, ordered in the fall, and it took right at two
months for each. He is able to give anyone calling to order or to get info
a very close estimate in the time it will take. My experiences with them
were totally satisfying, which is 180 degrees from what I could say
about T/C with their "satisfaction guarantee", but THAT's a different
story.

skb2706 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2004, 08:13:04 AM »

Just for grins we can see how long it takes VV to make one. Just so happens I ordered a barrel from them Feb. 10th is the day on the work order. They are building me a .357 Max contender carbine barrel 22" full bull. Steve didn't promise any sooner than May 1st.

reelhook · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2004, 09:29:16 AM »

Both firms offer verygood barrels. I believe that VV is the way to go if you want ss. They mostly use Shilen and BB uses Douglas. I like VV way of base installation and they are on time -most of the time

rpseven · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2004, 10:55:42 AM »

What I would like to know is Are the Fox ridge barrels any good? Do they shoot good? I have been wanting a pistol barrel for my encore and am thinking of going toward a 15 inch 7mm08 and I thought about going with fox ridge. I have already got a barrel from bullberry so it will be hard to go with any one else.

Bullseye · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2004, 02:43:24 PM »

If you are happy with factory barrels, you will be happy with a Fox Ridge Barrel. My opinion they are the same thing and probably made on the same machines just not in factory calibers. I have one and it shoots fine, then again all my factory barrels do to.

Encore28 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2004, 05:49:18 PM »

Bullseye
I agree with you-I have a .17 Rem barrel from Fox Ridge and it shoots nice BUT I want a .257 Weatherby Mag and Fox Ridge will not make it and besides I like the idea of the accuracy guarantee offered by Bullberry and VV. I think Fox Ridge takes too long for production barrels------I asked how long it would take for a 209x50 barrel and the lady told me 10-12 weeks like any other barrel. I ordered mine from Eabco and received it in less than a week. That sort of put a bad taste in my mouth with Fox Ridge. I am not anti-Fox Ridge and will probally buy more barrels off them in the future BUT have to go with VV for this barrel.
Thanks for the advice though
Encore28