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Offline Kirby

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Custom barrel recommendation
« on: August 02, 2009, 04:00:37 PM »
Guys I am wanting to buy a .22match barrel for my new G-2.  It is a .17mach 2 now.  There are many custom makers out there now.  I want to shoot little bug hole at 50yds from a rest.  From what I read the factory barrels and the Fox Ridge barrels can be hit and miss.  So who would you recommend? $400 being max I would spend.  Thanks Kirby
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Offline Grumulkin

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Re: Custom barrel recommendation
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2009, 02:31:54 AM »
There are 3 custom barrel manufacturers that I would consider:

1.  On Target Technologies
2.  SSK Industries
3.  Match Grade Machine

Of those, the only one I've gotten a barrel from is SSK Industries so hopefully someone with personal experience with the others will chime in.  Though I haven't used them, the other two have a very good reputation.

Counting Encore and Contender barrels either of the regular sort or from the T/C Custom Shop (a.k.a. Fox Ridge Outfitters), I've had 2 or 3 dozen barrels.  In all those barrels I've had 3 problems:

1.  With a Contender barrel, opening the action was very difficult probably because of no easy open modification.  I returned that barrel to the seller.
2.  The factory had neglected to tap the holes for the forearm on a 7mm/08 handgun barrel.  I returned it and they fixed it.
3.  I have a 30/06 barrel that, when I got it, would throw the first 2 or 3 shots from a clean barrel fairly widely.  I returned it to the factory and they recrowned the barrel (it didn't look bad to me) and fire lapped it and it now easily does consistent sub MOA with a variety of bullets.

I know there are occasional problems with the barrels of the custom guys so considering the number of barrels I've had, I don't think the number of problems I've had is way out of line.  T/C has also been excellent about fixing stuff under their lifetime warranty (a couple of scopes) at no charge even when they knew I had not bought it new.
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Offline skb2706

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Re: Custom barrel recommendation
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2009, 08:49:05 AM »
For a 22 rimfire, before I plopped down 4 large for a custom barrel I'd buy a factory job to see how it did. They re-sell easily so if it does not shoot to your standards you can always dump it. Typically rimfires are selective about ammo so unless you spend big money on match grade ammo its doubtful you will see the benefit of a $450 custom job. Price one at either MGM or SSK and thats what you are looking at.
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Offline Hopalong7

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Re: Custom barrel recommendation
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2009, 09:31:08 AM »
     My wifes family used to entertain themselves with .22 shootin' matches on saturday afternoons.  .22 rimfire only, any sights except scopes and any shooting position, 50 yards closest to the bullseye wins.  It got to be pretty competitive.  One of my brother-in-laws got a Bullberry custom full-bull Encore .22 rifle barrel.  It was a tack driver, but....so was any one of three of my factory Contender barrels.  It was usually nip and tuck between the two of us.  Both of us would usually out shoot the rest who had some pretty fair shootin' irons of their own.  Yes I did LOVE to rub it in a little that my "cheap", factory pistol could outshoot his custom rifle. ;D
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: Custom barrel recommendation
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2009, 12:23:35 PM »
Barrels from certain custom shops can be hit or miss as well sometimes unfortunately. 

Hands down Bullberry is my first choice and SSK would be my second for this barrel.   The 22LR Match barrels I've had from Fred were always dead nuts on before I switched exclusively to the 17 rimfires (and nothing yet has beat my Bullberry 17HMR carbine).   I wouldn't waste my time with any of the other makers (for various reasons that are my own).
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Offline David D.

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Re: Custom barrel recommendation
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2009, 02:59:21 PM »
I own several MGM barrels, quality work, outstanding accuracy, and great folks to deal with. And the fastest delivery time I have received. Anytime I have called MGM whoever I ask to talk with took the time to do so. In the future I will buy more. I would higher recommend MGM based on my experience with them!

No complaints with the one SSk I have. Great shooting barrel in 6.5JDJ.

I have four OTT barrels which are quality work, outstanding accuracy and a great guy to deal with.
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Offline Lone Star

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Re: Custom barrel recommendation
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2009, 05:48:52 PM »
The most accurate custom barrels I own are Bullberrys.  That includes my SSK and VV.  I do not have experience with OTT or MGM so I cannot comment, but others like them.


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Offline Ladobe

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Re: Custom barrel recommendation
« Reply #7 on: August 05, 2009, 07:20:17 AM »
Quote from: Lone Star on August 04, 2009, 05:48:52 PM
The most accurate custom barrels I own are Bullberrys.  That includes my SSK and VV.  I do not have experience with OTT or MGM so I cannot comment, but others like them.
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You do with MGM if you consider that the exact same boys make MGM barrels as made your VV barrel(s).   IOW, VVCG = MGM (minus their father Steve and BIL Justin).
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Offline Lone Star

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Re: Custom barrel recommendation
« Reply #8 on: August 05, 2009, 11:23:05 PM »
No I don't  consider that automatically accurate.  I know who makes them now, but comparing work from a company which had to re-organize with a different staff from years before the change to today is wrought with potential problems.  Businesses can change for the better or worse over time - we have seen both over the years with custom T/C barrel makers, as I'm sure you are well aware.

I just won't recommend what I don't have experience with.   I am clear about this in my post.  Not an indictment about MGM (or any other firm), just the facts.



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