lousy T/c Custom shop barrels

[bubba]

It took me 20 weeks to get my new 300 savage barrel from T/c custom shop. It is 24 inches standard contour.  Well this evening I got it out to try it out.  I mounted a Nikon buckmaster 3x9x40 with Leupold base and rings.  I boresighted it and gave it a try.  I had two different loads I had loaded for it.  The first was remington corelokt 150 grain over top of IMR 4895 39.8 grains.  The other load was the same bullet with 41.0 grains of varget.  I started at 50 yards and after a slight adjustment I was well where I wanted to be as the target shows. This was with both loads on both targets. I shot 6 of 4895, then 6 varget on th e50 yard target.  I then shot three 4895 on the 100 yad target which were the three high ones.  I adjusted down and shot one 4895 and two with varget, all touching. 


this is my 50 yard target with 12 shots. 



This is my 100 yard target the first three shots were high and I adjusted and put three more in the bottom of the bullseye.

As I stated this is my first trip out with this barrel, and I am very happy.  The 4895 load is the same as I use in my model 99 300.  I am looking forward to shooting it a lot more and taking some white tail this fall.  I was shooting off a bench with a solid rest, which sure helps. 

[SD Handgunner]

Wow Bubba if that is a lousy shooting T/C Custom Shop Barrel, I'd really like to see how a good one shoots. Seriously that looks like it is indeed going to be a shooter.

Larry

[Cheesehead]

I have a TC barrel form the custom shop and was worried when i seen the "lousy" remark, since mine is very accurate, a 6.5x55. But as I read on I see it is working very well for you. Just curious, why a 300 Savage?

Cheese

[Keith L]

When I first started shooting Contenders I listened to the folks that had nothing good to say about TC, and thought I would never find a good shooting factory barrel.  As it turns out I have a number of good shooting factory and Fox Ridge barrels.  Go figure.

There is no doubt a place for the custom makers.  Interesting thing is that they are capable of making things worng once in a while as well as the factory.  Sad truth is that anything made by man can be flawed.

Congratulations on your barrel.  It looks like a shooter to me.

[bubba]

the lousy served two purposes. It was to get ppl to look at the thread and kind of a dig at those who say a t/c custom barrel is no good. I am very happy with this barrel and it is the second one I have from the custom shop.  The other is a 257 Roberts AI.  The only thing I was not happy about was the 20 week turn around.   That being said, it was worth the wait. 

[Grumulkin]

I've had a bunch of lousy barrels from T/C just like yours.

[skb2706]

In 20 weeks you could have the ore mined, the steel treated, turned, rifled, chambered, welded, blued and delivered. I'd call it lousy............shoots nice though.

[SD Handgunner]

Truth be known I have only shot one T/C Custom Shop Barrel. It was a 23" Bull Contender Barrel chambered in .30-30 Ackley Improved that belongs to a buddy of mine. We were shooting Federal Factory .30-30 Winchester and some .30-30 Ackley Improved loads with 125gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips that were left over from a .30-30 AI Contender Handgun I had.

All groups were 1 1/4" or less at 100 yards from the bench, which considering these were factory loads and handloads worked up in a different gun altogether I was pleased with the results.

On the other hand I have shot lots and lots of T/C Factory Barrels that all shot quite well. Yeah there were a few that required some tweaking to find that just right load, but all shot < 1" groups with proper ammo.

Larry

[Encore28]

All of my barrels(Factory and Fox Ridge)shoot great!!!!!!!

Looks like you have a good one too Bubba. Twenty weeks is excessive,although S&W laid around half of T/C's staff off after January--------I hear they called a bunch back now.

Encore28

[sweetwyominghome]

Bubba wrote: "a dig at those who say a t/c custom barrel is no good."

I've never said a TC factory barrel can't be accurate as I have had a fair share that group exceptionally well. They may not give the repeatable, gilt-edged accuracy as a true custom, but they'll suffice for government work and then some.

But I will say that there is no such thing as a "TC custom barrel." You have standard factory and then Fox Ridge Outfitters, the proverbial extension of the factory which offers a few variations in length, contour, caliber and finish.

Forget specifying anything technical as you would with any custom shop: You can't specify chamber dimensions, you can't specify how you want the throat or leade to be cut -- and you really don't even have a choice of twist when it all boils down to it.

Yes, they can shoot. But they are not custom.

By the way, congrats on your barrel. The .300 Savage is a terrific caliber that's mild, efficient, deadly on game and oft-overlooked by the hyper-velocity crowd.

[bubba]

I never said I was talking about you. I am aware of the true custom verses what T/C shop does.  But, I guess the proof is on the paper. One hole is one hole.

[sweetwyominghome]

The 300 SVG ballistics are about optimum in terms of getting exceptional performance from cup-and-core bullets. 

Much of my hunting is actually done with Contender rifles, and the current load in my 6.5x30-30 AI (aka 6.5 Bullberry IMP) drives a 129 grain Hornady SP to just over 2600 fps from a 26" barrel using N160 powder. On-game terminal performance is as good as it gets.

Enjoy your .300 Savage. It's obviously a keeper!

[bubba]

Thanks I plan to.  I have a model 99 also, but arrely shoot it as it wa smy dads. I thought the 300 becaus eof him honestly. 

[Dezynco]

I've had a bunch of lousy barrels from T/C just like yours

Hmmm Grumulkin, based on that photo you posted, you that lousy barrel of yours is shootin' a little to the left!

I've got a couple of those lousy barrels also - I just grin and keep shootin'.

[martineta]

My 300 whisper custom shop encore rifle barrel is a real dog.  Every time I shoot it, the first round goes in the bulls eye and the next 4 are all misses as I can only see one hole.   Think I will get them to make me another.

[AH-1]

my custom shop 7.5X55 swiss is a dog also .first time out under a inch @100.

[bolewine]

martineta, funny you say that i thought it was just me-but my .223 pro hunter has the same shooting pattern. lousy factory barrels!!

[stubshaft]

My 300 whisper custom shop encore rifle barrel is a real dog.  Every time I shoot it, the first round goes in the bulls eye and the next 4 are all misses as I can only see one hole.   Think I will get them to make me another.

I have the same problem with the Whisper barrel they made for my Encore pistol.  That "spot" in front of the scop measures .445"