T/C vs. 'aftermarket' barrels?

[alan in ga]

OK, been buying some used pistol and rifle barrels. There are some neat barrels for sale on Ed's Contender web site, mostly T/C make but also some MGM and Bullberry.
Should I save my $$ and buy MGM/Bullberry, or take a chance on Factory make [regular and Custom Shop]?
I often have made the mistake of 'buying cheap, selling, then buying the 'good stuff' at an increased cost in time and money.
I'm wondering what accuracy you guys are getting with the T/C label barrels. Is it a 50/50 toss up with a T/C barrel as far as accuracy?
They are a "work of art" on the exterior, but I'm not sure about the bores.
Thanks for the opinions, I'm ready to buy another rifle/carbine barrel and wondering about the issue!
Yes, I'm in Georgia and the "flea market mentality" is hard to shake but I've fitted enough bolt rifles with PacNor and Lilja barrels that I SHOULD know the difference by now. Some of us are just taken by a glance I guess : )

[Grumulkin]

The target shot with the 300 Win. Mag. was shot using a 28 inch T/C Pro Hunter barrel.  I've had a BUNCH of T/C Encore and Contender barrels all except two of which have been T/C barrels.  My conclusions are:

1.  T/C rifle barrels in the 21 to 28 inch versions have been quite accurate for me and I don't think there is much difference accuracy wise between the regular T/C barrels and the Custom Shop barrels.  The only reason, in my opinion, to get a Custom Shop barrel is if you want a nonstandard chambering.

2.  I have one MGM 375 H&H Magnum handgun barrel and am VERY impressed with it.  In fact, if I have a want (notice I didn't say need) for another Encore or Contender barrel it will probably be MGM.

3.  I have one SSK handgun barrel in 44 Remington Magnum.  The chamber isn't quite as tight as I would like but it shoots well; 1 to 1.5 inch 3 shot 100 groups (using a scope of course).  It use to be, maybe still is true, that some SSK barrels couldn't be had in a contour to fit standard T/C forends.  Since I use standard T/C composite forends, that was a no go for me when I was shopping for an Encore handgun barrel.

[skb2706]

I have a pretty decent cross section of both and in the past I have had pistol length barrels all of mine now are carbine length Contenders. The MGM/Bullberry barrels are made up from Shilen blanks, no clue where TC gets theirs. A real custom job, carbine length can run you hard into $400 and beyond. I just bought two different factory barrels, like new for less than $200 each. Using my rather small sampling what I see is this - With a true custom house barrel you get chamber/twist per your request, easy to clean, well finished and very very accurate. With a factory barrel there is a good chance you will get at least some of this. My factory 7-30 W, .204s and a couple of others will hang right in there with any MGM. The differences could be measured in thousandths. But my .204 MGM SS bull is a true distance pd shooter that is worth every dime I paid for it.

[Graybeard]

My position on this has always been that if it's a caliber TC makes to chose it over a custom maker barrel EXCEPT in .223. I've owned and been around a bunch of TC made .223 barrels and have never seen one that met my personal standard of accuracy.

That is not the case with any other TC made barrel and I've owned a bunch admittedly most handgun length not rifle length but it also does include several rifle length barrels as well.

If TC doesn't make it or if .223 is what ya want by all means chose the custom maker of your choice and certainly there is nothing wrong with going full custom on everything. I just doubt the difference in accuracy will be that great.

Most of my custom barrels and barrel work was done by long time sponsor SSK industries. Since MGM became a sponsor here I've not owned a TC Contender or Encore of any type so have had no opportunity to see their work but it too is highly recommended by many who have so I feel confident they too will make you a good barrel. I did have some from them when they were Virgin Valley and they were fine.

I'm mostly telling you what I did when I was using TCs not what you should do as that's a decision only you can make.

[Dezynco]

I'm with Greybeard on this one.  I'd use a TC barrel if it's available in the chambering and configuration that I wanted, especially at a good or used price.  I've used carbine and pistol length barrels in TC barrels, TC Custom Shop barrels, and two other custom manufacturers.  I've not found any good reason to throw any of them away!  But as was said, if TC does not offer what I want, I might call one of the custom barrel makers, and they're all pretty darn good.

[David D.]

I'll take a custom barrel from MGM, OTT, SSK any day over TC factory or TC custom shop barrels. They all use quality blanks and do quality work. All three will chamber and contour a barrel to your desire as long as its safe. The potential for a great shooting barrel will be higher also.

I do own a few TC factory and TC custom shop barrels and most shoot very decent to very good. My biggest complaint are they are limited in chamberings  and barrel options.

My suggestions are, if in your budget go full custom, if not TC factory, or for a few more options TC custom shop.

[alan in ga]

Just to ad a note or two:
I'm looking for a couple of barrels, eventually a .25-35 rifle barrel since I'm a .25 fan, and a .38 Spl [or Mag or Max] barrel in rifle or carbine length for possible suppressor addition later [after mulling over the expense!].
I've found both on Ed's site. I also know I can get just about anything made from the excellent aftermarket companys at about $100 to $200 ADDITIONAL cost. I'm trying to overcome the 'cheaper' aspect of the T/C factory [both standard and T/C Custom Shop] barrel prices.
I see a .38 Spl rifle [23-24"] T/C Custom shop barrel available and am deciding [or trying to] between it or just plunking down some extra dollars to start with and get the Shilen barrel products made by the MGM, Bullberry, SSK guys [or similar quality barrels].

Thank You Guys for the inputs, it is not only helpful but interesting to read your thoughts and experiences with this!

[Win 1917]

I don't know what the exact prices are but for a pistol length barrel MGM is very competitive, within a few dollars of a Custom Shop barrel. With the rifle length barrels the cost difference is bigger. Unfortunately better shooting or not, my budget right now is in the "used factory" range  .

[JON8777]

22-250 at 100

[65465 Mo]

22-250 at 100

T/C or Aftermarket  barrel group? Nice group which ever barrel.

[Jay, Tx]

I agree with David D.. TC can offer many chambers, but that's where it ends. They, to my knowledge, don't give many, if any, options in counter, length, twist, chamber/throat depth, etc. These options would be the difference between a "custom" barrel, and an "optional" chambering IMO. No doubt there are more accurate barrels from TC than inaccurate. But that's all relative to the shooter as well. My 2 cents.

[wallygater]

Allan,

Check out this site I think it will answer a lot of your questions and offer you some great possibilities.   http://www.dandtcustomgunworks.websitetoolbox.com/

Wally

[buckweet]

My position on this has always been that if it's a caliber TC makes to chose it over a custom maker barrel EXCEPT in .223. I've owned and been around a bunch of TC made .223 barrels and have never seen one that met my personal standard of accuracy.

That is not the case with any other TC made barrel and I've owned a bunch admittedly most handgun length not rifle length but it also does include several rifle length barrels as well.

If TC doesn't make it or if .223 is what ya want by all means chose the custom maker of your choice and certainly there is nothing wrong with going full custom on everything. I just doubt the difference in accuracy will be that great.

Most of my custom barrels and barrel work was done by long time sponsor SSK industries. Since MGM became a sponsor here I've not owned a TC Contender or Encore of any type so have had no opportunity to see their work but it too is highly recommended by many who have so I feel confident they too will make you a good barrel. I did have some from them when they were Virgin Valley and they were fine.









What?  No t/c's at all? ?...
What is your interests. These days
??
Did you ever gets your AR?
I built 12 of em.,....,...
I know .... i know .... but it was fun gor awhile ....
weet







I'm mostly telling you what I did when I was using TCs not what you should do as that's a decision only you can make.

[OK hunter]

Jon,
Great shooting.  I am interested if your barrel has a standard twist.  I have been thinking about trying some 60 grain bullets in my 22-250 but would like some assurance a standard twist will stabilize them.
Thanks,

[Antietamgw]

I *really* like my Bullberry barrels - accurate, close concentric chambers and smooth inside, which is important in shooting cast bullets well. I have more T/C factory than aftermarket barrels though, mostly due to cost. Currently all mine are 21"+.  If I wanted (and I do!) a .357 Max, 32 H&R or anything that the SAAMI throat  was kind of questionable on, it would be an aftermarket barrel and I'd want to see a reamer print or at least be able to discuss the throat with the maker. I have done this with Fred at Bullberry a number of times and have always been very happy. I hear nothing but good things about MGM as well but don't have any of their barrels.

[Ladobe]

IMO it comes down to your intended use of the barrel, and the fly in the ointment is the trigger jockey with any barrel. 
 
IMO TC factory barrels are generally good enough for most shooters for most uses, shoot well with factory ammo and can shoot very well with tuned handloads.   But when the ranges get long and the targets get small the premium blank barrels that you can order with custom chambers/leads and in the best twist/length for the cartridge and bullets you will be shooting will have the ability to easily out shoot any barrel from TC.   Don't know what TC uses for their barrel blanks (that would include their so called custom shop barrels), but if for no other reason than not being able to spec the barrels chamber/twist they can't match a true custom barrel from the third party houses IMO.
 
Someone said Bullberry and MGM uses Shilen blanks... that's not true unless they have changed in recent years (which I highly doubt).   Fred has always used Wilson premium blanks for his barrels, as has the Stratton's since their VVCG days (although I believe MGM will use any blank you want for a price that Fred would try to talk you out of).  All of my Shilen TC barrels came from JD at SSK.
 
FWIW/YMMV
 
 

[alan in ga]

I now have 'only' 2 Contender frames and 2 barrels: 23" 17HMR Blue/Bull -it will get cut to 20" and threaded for the silencer I have [legal of course]. Just sold my LAST pistol T/C barrel, a 12.5" 45/70 that was fun to shoot. I bow hunt only for deer now so the 45/70 was just gathering dust and the cash was fun to spend.
Also have a 20" Bullberry 22LR MATCH blue/bull that is the cat's meow for back yard shooting. Might thread it for the silencer as well. I like the way it engraves the bullet even on 22 Long CB ammo, a fun ammo for the back deck woods shooting.
The barrel that seems to 'come to mind' the MOST is a Bull .357 Maximum. Probably the most used ammo would be .38 Spl but the ability to use Mag or Max ammo for possible deer/coyote use would keep me from looking for a 38Spl 'only' chambering. Guess I could always ream it out but...just thinking out loud.
Sounds like I'm pondering the 'if you could only have one rifle/carbine barrel....?' question, don't it?

[Spirithawk]

Dang guys, just how accurate does a barrel have to be? You shooting competitive or hunting? All the Encores with factory barrels I've fired were more than accurate enough for hunting purpouses. Admittingly, my shots are 100 yards or less, but I've made 300 yard shots with my factory .270 with ease. It and my son's Pro Hunter 7mm mag are very accurate rifles with 1/2", or less, groups bench rested at 100 yards. I really don't see the need for high dollar custom barrels unless you are competitive shooting or shooting at extreme ranges when hunting.

[Ladobe]

I really don't see the need for high dollar custom barrels unless you are competitive shooting or shooting at extreme ranges when hunting.

I can agree with that in general (as I said above).   In my case it was the latter, and the TC barrels just couldn't get it done even with tuned handloads.