SSK Barrels

[Dogmann]

Does anyone have a barrel by SSK? & if so  are these any better then say a stock   Thompson or Bullberry or E Arthur brown? I do like the look of the full rib- but SSK barrels are more then some of the other makers & I was wondering why-before I decide who to order from.....

[Reed1911]

SSK makes good barrles. Better then T/C standard for sure, better then EAB or BB, not necessarly. Also it depends on what caliber you are going after and exactly what you need done. What I mean by that is, any of the calibers that are SSK propri. I'd use them on simply since they likely have the most knowledge of their own calibers. Now, if you are going to have the brass matched and are after a very match chamber and plan to do the brass work to match it, OTT is your best choice. They will match the chmaber to your brass 100%. Not to go too lenghly here, but if you match out your brass correctly, you can have the chamber cut so perfectly that you'll not need to size the brass at all. There is a bit of initial work to get the brass in spec. but once it is done, that's it.

[jw4570]

I have an SSK barrel I picked up used at a good price.  It's a definate good shooter, and more so than a Factory Barrel on average.

However, it's possible to get a Factory barrel that shoots really well, and one that doesn't, luck of the draw due to high volume tolerances/specs.

Mine's a 14" bull, no rib.

[Jay HHI6818]

I have the following SSK Contender barrels 6.5JDJ, 309JDJ, two 375JDJ's, 445SM and 6.5MD JDJ , 35-06JDJ Encore barrels. They out shoot factory TC barrels hands down. I have a 14 inch Contender 6TCU from the old VVCG that will shoot just as well as SSK.
I really do like the full vent rib that SSK makes. I bought this 375JDJ complete setup two years ago at Gander Mountain for $500. Didn't need a second 375JDJ but for $500 I couldn't pass it up.

[Keith L]

I have the following SSK Contender barrels 6.5JDJ, 309JDJ, two 375JDJ's, 445SM and 6.5MD JDJ , 35-06JDJ Encore barrels. They out shoot factory TC barrels hands down. I have a 14 inch Contender 6TCU from the old VVCG that will shoot just as well as SSK.
I really do like the full vent rib that SSK makes. I bought this 375JDJ complete setup two years ago at Gander Mountain for $500. Didn't need a second 375JDJ but for $500 I couldn't pass it up.

What is it that they do that factory barrels won't?  If I do my part with all factory barrels I have shootl sub moa, and with a couple of my carbine barrels they will nearly always shoot one ragged hole with ammo they like.

[Reed1911]

What is it that they do that factory barrels won't?  If I do my part with all factory barrels I have shootl sub moa, and with a couple of my carbine barrels they will nearly always shoot one ragged hole with ammo they like.

#1 biggest to that comment, it just what you said, ammo they like. For the most part I can make ammo that a specific T/C made barrel will like, it is rare that you find one that cannot shoot at all. What makes the non-T/C barrels better is that they will for the most part not find a load they like, but you have to work to find a load they don't like. Much Much better chamber dimensions by SAAMI/ANSI/CIP spec (we'll stay away from wildcats for a minute), a damn chamber that is actually centered on the bore and not on the barrel, a real throat cut, not a throat highway, a real crown and not one that drifts 2-3 degrees off the x axis (thinking of the y as the bore) YES I saud 2-3 degrees, enough to see with the naked eye. A match bore and not a hill infested bore, etc...etc...

Now, do T/C barrels suck? Not all that bad, many are fine shooters, but if it means spending only 50.00 more you might as well spend the 50.00 and end up with a 100%-er rather than an 85%-er. I have also seen bad barrels come out of all the major players, no one is perfect, and I have seen T/C barrels that will just plain shoot until no end.

When you look at the overall picture, that is the way I see it.

[Keith L]

So a custom barrel is only $50.00 more than a TC factory?  I can get new factory barrels for $200-225.  That would put custom barrels in the $250-275 range.  I guess I have never seen them for that cheap.

I suppose it is all in what you want to do.

[skb2706]

None of my custom jobs were priced like that. They tended to be much closer to $400.
The debate rages on, guys that have custom barrels like them and those who don't think they are overpriced and are a poor value.
I like a custom barrel and with regards to what they do that a factory barrel won't....nothing. I have some from all the major players and I buy what I like, but thats just me. Gives me a chance to get a custom barrel, made to my specs, just the way I want it and not have to spenda few thousand on a custom gun.

[jhalcott]

it's like saying "who makes a better car ford or ferrari?" Dumb to get involved in this BUT I have both and like them all.I have wildcats made by JDJ and factory available ammo barrels by T/C. Are the 'custom " better than factory? Yes and NO!! The custom barrels are VERY accurate (is it MY handloads?) The factory barrels are accurate also,WITH MY HANDLOADS! Factory ammo is usually LESS accurate,but easier to get should the airlines loose my ammo(has happened) IF price was the ONLY consideration ,I'd probably buy chess sets! That way I could stay in by the fire and keep warm and dry during hunting season!
  Speaking of seasons, Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS every one!

[Keith L]

One thing is for sure: everyone is free to buy what they want.  And even if the only reason to get a custom barrel is that you want to that is fine as well.

Thanks for the opinions.

[Dogmann]

What would a  45/70 SSK barrel with the full rib, TSOB rings and base,magnaported run $$$$$$?

[jhalcott]

  Dmann, the 45-70 is a REAL handfull when it comes to recoil. Lots of 44 mag shooters wont take a second shot with my 45-70 with 405 grain handloads. It's best to shoot a friends gun several times before you buy ! Mind you MY loads are NOT max,just quite warm.  It is fun to load a few with black powder and let some big mouth shoot one into the wind!

[cnTndr85]

What would a  45/70 SSK barrel with the full rib, TSOB rings and base,magnaported run $$$$$$?

New from SSK it would run around $620 for a blue Contender barrel according to thier latest price sheet.

Mark

[Troggy]

I have an SSK .358jdj. Have not used it yet but fit and finnish is realy good. SSK or OTT is what I would get.

[Pixsurguy]

It's been a while since I looked at the prices, but i seem to recall that the OTT barrels are only maybe $50 to $75 more than the factory TC barrels.    If that is correct, then it is a no-brainer for me.  I'll go for the OTT every time.   HOWEVER - I have two TC factory barrels (7mmTCU and match .22LR)  and both of them shoot waaaay better than I'll ever do.   My shooting buddy can make little teeeeny groups with both of those barrels.   Sure wish i could.

My next barrels for my TC frame(s) will be an OTT .357 Max and the one after that will be an OTT .414 Supermax.