Pipedpoe,
I recently asked this same question. See “New barrel recommendations” further down on this page.
One of the reasons I am considering a “custom” barrel from either Bullberry, Virgin Valley or SSK , has to due with the length of the throats on factory barrels. I currently have a blue 7-30 Waters barrel, and have found the complaint about T/C throats being too long to be true. From different articles that I have read, it appears that T/C produces their barrels to accommodate all bullet lengths in a particular caliber. If you are using one of the heavier bullet weights in that caliber, this is to your advantage, as the long throat will be better for seating the longer bullets. Since I plan on using my 7-30 for nothing larger than deer, I have chosen to stick with 120 and 130 grain bullets. These lighter bullets are shorter than the heavier bullet weights, and therefore must be seated out further in the brass in order to allow them to reach the rifleing. I have even read of instances where the throats were so long that the bullets could not be seated out far enough to reach the rifleing.
The other part of my reason to buy a custom barrel stems from the fact that T/C does not produce the 7-30 in stainless. So if I want a stainless barrel, I must go to one of the custom shops.
I recently contacted Fred at Bullberry and Steve at Virgin Valley to check on the lead time for a new barrel and to ask questions to be sure I am getting the best barrel to meet my needs. Both were very helpful, answered all my questions and even made a point or two regarding characteristics I was unaware of. The downside of ordering a barrel from Fred, is his 4 month lead time. Virgin Valley quoted 8 weeks. Part of your decision will be based on your immediate need for the barrel versus the extra cost for the shorter lead time.
Since the 7-30 doesn't really kick, the six screw mounting set up is a non-issue for me.
Best of luck with whatever you choose. Keep us posted.
