New barrel recommendations?

[coltfan]

I recently stumbled across a good deal on a used stainless Contender frame, and naturally will be wanting a stainless barrel to mate with it. I know that I will be ordering the barrel in 7-30 Waters, for use this deer season. It will be 14” long, and will not include a muzzle brake. Since I have never ordered a custom barrel I decided to seek some advice on this forum. First question – Which barrel maker would you recommend Virgin Valley, Bullberry, or Fox Ridge? Please feel free to include any others I may have missed. Next question – When ordering a barrel I believe you can request specific features, although I’m not sure exactly what those features would be. I would guess that the rate of twist might be one of those features. Therefore my question is: What special features are available, and which if any would you recommend. Since this barrel will be primarily be used for deer, I expect to be using 120 and 130 grain bullets. Is there a rate of twist that would work especially well with these bullet weights. Please feel free to include any thoughts that would be pertinent to this subject.

[Dalton]

1.)Who is the best custom manufacturer?
I have owned barrels from VVG, Bullberry, and others.  I have had good luck with all of them.  I have some Van Horn barrels on order, so I can't speak for his work just yet.  I have never owned an SSK barrel, but I believe that they are excellent as well.  All of the custom barrels I have ordered have shot sub MOA.  They were all more accurate than I am capable of being.  I honestly don't think that one is better than the other.  I know that isn't a popular answer, but I think it is the truth.

2.)What options are available for custom barrels.
    a.)Taper
    b.)Finish
    c.)Twist Rate
    d.)Length
    e.)Sight Mounting
    f.)Porting
    g.)Metal Type
    h.)Most importantly CUSTOM CHAMBERS

I am sure I am forgetting some of the options available.

3.)What is the best taper for 120-130gr bullets.
1:9 is what I am using and it has worked beautifully.

[coltfan]

Dalton,
I know absolutly nothing regarding custom chambers. What features should I look for and do you have any recommendations regarding the custom chambers?

[T/C nimrod]

coltfan - I want to make sure you are asking the right question for what you're looking for. The 7-30 Waters is not a custom chamber - it is a factory chambering. Now, I think you are looking for a custom barrel chambered in 7-30 Waters. Set me(us) straight on this so you get the answers you are looking for.  

[bobg]

coltfan,
             I have three barrels fron Virgin Valley. I have only had time to tryout one of them. Believe me it is a shooter and it looks great. If the weather ever warms up i'll try out the rest. I just bought a Fox Ridge barreland that also is a nice looking barrel. Know more when i get to shoot them all. Virgin Valley will help you with what twist rate will work the best. I have had very good luck with them.
 
                  bobg

[Dalton]

Dalton,
I know absolutly nothing regarding custom chambers. What features should I look for and do you have any recommendations regarding the custom chambers?

T/C Nimrod is correct.  The standard 7-30 Waters is not a custom chamber.  I think you are looking for a custom barrel chambered in 7-30 Waters.  If you do not want to go with a custom barrel, this caliber is available as a standard offering from TC.  You could purchase one from any number of online suppliers or even a local dealer.

As I said in my previous post, I have had excellent results with all of my custom barrels and not such good results with TC's stock offerings.  Therefore everything else being equal, I look at price when trying to decide between custom barrel manufacturers.  I look for sales and quantity discounts just like I do with many other products.  Sometimes it's VVG, sometimes Bullberry and recently I ordered some barrels from Dave Van Horn.

[rdc in MN]

You can also check E. Arthur Brown at    www.eabco.com        
or Ed's contenders at         www.edstc.com

[coltfan]

I guess I mis-understood Dalton's note regarding custom chambering. I thought that I would need to specify particular features regarding the actual chamber. Thought they might offer options regarding bullet seating depth or some other dimensions. :oops:  

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought T/C dosen't offer the 7-30 in stainless.

[BruceP]

Ed's has stainless 7/30's listed and the barrel I ordered on a Friday I received on the following Monday.

www.edstc.com

BruceP

[Dalton]

I guess I mis-understood Dalton's note regarding custom chambering. I thought that I would need to specify particular features regarding the actual chamber. Thought they might offer options regarding bullet seating depth or some other dimensions. :oops:  

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought T/C dosen't offer the 7-30 in stainless.

I fogot you wanted a stainless barrel.   :oops: That does limit you to custom.

I have never asked them to stray from standard chambers.  I don't know what options you have as far as the actual chamber dimensions.  Give them a call or shoot them an email.  They have all been more than accomodating to my questions.