Author Topic: EABCO barrels..... (Read 5065 times)

scienceguy · « **on:** November 27, 2003, 03:51:44 AM »

Guys, still trying to sort out the best place to purchase extra barrels for my Encore. Several shooters have recommended E. Arthur Brown Co. (EABCO) barrels. I would welcome your input on this. Anyone out there have a custom barrel supplied by this firm? How satisfied were you accuracy and quality wise? Thanks!

JJFly · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2003, 05:27:05 AM »

I've gotten barrels from them. The custom shop stuff is from the "TC Custom Shop". The others are from Virgin Valley. IMHO it would be easier to go direct.

onesonek · « **Reply #2 on:** November 27, 2003, 09:28:30 AM »

Not meaning to contradict JJ, but their(eabco) barrels are their own barrels made from (usually) shelen(sp) blanks. I have two, a 6mmAI and a 7BRM. The quality of their work is excellent, as is the accuracy. Also I'm impressed by Eben's nature on the phone, a really nice guy to business with. And intend to have them do another barrel in the future.

singleshot · « **Reply #3 on:** November 27, 2003, 12:55:21 PM »

I don't know who makes Eabco barrels, but I have a couple of 15 inch Encore 22-250 barrels that are extremely accurate. Both barrels are their custom barrels (not TC custom). one stainless, one in french grey and I see no difference between them and any of the other custom made barrels from VV or BB that I have. Ed

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** November 27, 2003, 05:43:35 PM »

I dunno who makes the EABCO barrels and am not sure anyone outside of EABCO and the place that makes them whether that is EABCO or otherwise does either.

When EABCO was an advertiser on this site I asked him point blank in a phone conversation who made his barrels. He assured me he did. Later when a thread with this question arose I responded by saying Eben had assured me that the barrels are made in house. Then a poster added a note saying that was false and that VVCG made them. I later got an e-mail from that poster who turned out to be an employee of VVCG who is the man that makes the barrels and says he knew first hand that the barrels are made at VVCG since he is responsible for making them.

Now me I dunno. I had two advertisers (at that time but neither are now) both making contridictary statements regarding who makes them. So to me it is a mystery. I honestly dunno but it appears to me one of the two had to be lying to me. Which I have no clue.

I'm sure glad you found Eben so nice to deal with by phone. I sure didn't. He and I really never got along very well from the start and it only got worse as time went on. Finally he decided to not renew his banner which was kind of a blessing as I was ready to drop his account anyway for the trouble we seemed to be to each other.

I will say he is the only advertiser I believe I've ever had on this site who just flat refused to allow me to do a product test on his products. Never really gave a reason just refused when I asked.

GB

onesonek · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2003, 02:05:07 AM »

Hmmm, I too am going by what Eben told me. In either case, the barrels are accurate. I don't know VVC's order time, seems to me I heard here or elsewhere that most waited 5-6 mos. to get their barrel. My first from EABCO took less than the 8 wks stated. The second took 13 wks. Something new on the last barrel it was marked "by EABCO" not ( from eabco) Seems to me if they farm out the barrel work, the "marking" would pose some legality problems.
I've been by EABCO's place of business, but not in it. It would be interesting to take peak, to see whats there for tooling.

22hornet · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2003, 04:32:44 AM »

I have two Eabco Barrels a 22 hornet and a 243 AI the hornet is very accurate still doing fireforming on the 243 AI for the brass. These will be the only 2 I will ever get do to the hassle I got over the 243 AI. It wasn't Eben that I spoke too but whomever the woman was that I talked to had a very serious attitude towards my questions. Maybe it was that I kept asking for a status on the barrel at the 17 week mark but being active duty military I had alloted enough time for the barrel to get to where I was with a buffer of a month or so before I changed duty stations so I was getting nervous. Well to the point they won't get anymore of my hard earned money thats for sure. So far I've dealt with Eabco, Bullberry for barrels and had VVCG do a stock set for me. No real problems with Bullberry or VVCG.

JJFly · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2003, 01:20:31 PM »

One last shot across the bow, and then I'll let the thread die a happy death.

If Virgin Valley isn't doing the chamber work. EABCO is renting the reamers from VV. Look at the available chamberings. Virgin Valley came up with a new line based on the 45-70 case. You'll see several listings example.. 375VVC or 35VVC. While these chamberings never caught on for the guys at Virgin Valley. They are still the only ones chambering them as far as I know. Funny that the two "Available Chambering" lists MATCH! So begins the slow death of this thread.

:money:

scienceguy · « **Reply #8 on:** November 28, 2003, 03:03:31 PM »

Guys,

Thanks for the input, although I never expected so much cloak and dagger went on behind the scenes. Most everyone seems to like the EABCO barrel, whoever makes them, so I think I'll give the company a call and get some further information. I appreciate all the help you guys have been.

scienceguy

onesonek · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2003, 05:23:24 PM »

I have to admit JJ, What you say has a logical sense about it. And to be honest, something about EABCO's web site always puzzled me. Most of it pertaining to the VVC chamberings. It is totally possible, they are contracting VVCG barrels. But one sure gets the impression other wise. I still have had nothing, but the best service from them. As long as its shoots the way I expect it to, I guess I don't care where it comes from.

outlawsix · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2003, 11:51:24 AM »

In October I went to Utah on vacation. While there I worked in Virgin Valleys shop I saw the barrel process from blank to finished product. I bead blasted a lot of barrels 12 of them happened to be for EABCO. He does do some of the work, install muzzel brakes, and chamber his BR magnum line of rounds but the rest is done by the boys at VVC.

onesonek · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2003, 03:30:13 PM »

Cool, That explains why my 6mmAI is unmarked. And the 7BRM is marked.
Now if the OTT barrel that I have comming shoots any where near as well these 2, I be :-D . But already I'm having any itch for a 338-06 :wink:

Encore Joe · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2004, 06:29:03 PM »

I purchased a 375 winchester Encore rifle barrel from EABCO this fall, with Lyman foolproof rear and globe front sight, both installed by EABCO.

When I got around to shooting the barrel, I found I was at the top of elevation adjustment on rear sight just to get on target at 100 yards. I decided to replace the front sight with a shorter Williams firesight for hunting visibility and to help with the elevation situation.

Well, one light tap on the front sight with a light hammer and 3/8" wood dowel to see if it would move and the whole ramp came off! The screw showed approx. 1 to 1-1/2 threads engaged.

I sent it back to EABCO asking them to reinstall the ramp and to install the firesight I had purchased.

Well they called today, and asked for $20 for installing the front ramp plus $6.00 shipping.

I told them I didn't think this was right, and I considered the weak ramp attachment to be defective, and the original front and rear sight heights were not matched properly in the first place.

They would not budge from this, so I agreed to pay and am sorry to say the negative comments on this company were accurate, in my experience.

They can apply the $26 toward gunsmithing expenses, but my future barrels will certainly be purchased from another source.

ms · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2004, 09:50:34 PM »

I believe graybeard. :wink:

Lefty Behind · « **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2004, 03:43:11 AM »

A long time ago I bought a barrel from EABCO and I believe Bullberry barrel works was the actual builder. Now, I don't know.
But one thing is for sure, that barrel is a shooter!
Lefty Behind

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** January 16, 2004, 05:58:45 AM »

That very well could be I'm sure. Once upon a time VVCG didn't exisit and those guys worked for Fred at Bullberry. Could be when they moved out on their own he moved his business with them. Dunno.

GB

Lefty Behind · « **Reply #16 on:** January 16, 2004, 07:35:04 AM »

I sent EABCO and email and asked them. If they respond I'll post the response here.
Lefty Behind

Lefty Behind · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2004, 03:33:31 AM »

Here's Ebens' reply. Still up in the air as to who does the work......

Dear TD,

I saw the email from the guy who got his sights installed for free, knocked it off with a hammer, and and sent it back to have us to install yet a different sight... and then got mad because we asked to be paid for our work. Even if he hadn't knocked it off with a hammer, would he expect us to just keep installing different sights for free forever? I thought the first free installation was a pretty good deal.

If it says E. Arthur Brown Company on the barrel, it is a product of E. Arthur Brown Company.

Sincerely,
Eben Brown

Encore Joe · « **Reply #18 on:** January 20, 2004, 07:55:15 AM »

Lefty Behind,

Eben kindly forgot to mention that his original front sight height was not correctly matched to his rear sight elevation - something he advertises as a benefit of ordering from EABCO.

At 100 yards using 220 grain bullets I was at the end of the adjustment screw for the Lyman foolproof peep sight before I got to center of the target.

I would expect him to install sights that can be adjusted reasonably without running out of elevation. This was the first sight installation I requested, due in part to the mis-match of elevations.

His response confirms my original conclusion.

I don't expect or ask for free unlimited service, just someone who will stand by his work and advertisements after I have paid for it with good money.

Another lesson learned...

Lefty Behind · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2004, 02:30:24 PM »

Joe,
I didn't post the response from Mr. Brown as an affront to you. I simply posted what he wrote to me in response to my question. I see your point, have no argument with you.
I just wonder why he won't say directly who makes the barrels? "They are a product of EABCO" really tells us nothing. I have a Chevy that is "a product of General Motors", but it was STILL built in Japan!
Lefty