MGM?

[singleshot1]

I am going to order a barrel from MGM in 30-30AI, was wondering if it is worth the extra money to go with the Shilen or Shilen select match barrel? Will the accuracy be noticeable? I don't mind paying the extra $ if it would be worth it.

[Da-Law-Dawg]

For the difference in $, I'd say it's worth every penny. Tolerances on the select barrels are tighter and the blanks are hand lapped. To me, it's a no-brainer my friend. It's the difference between a good shooting barrel and a barrel that'll shoot a ragged hole. That's my two cents FWIW.

[shot1]

I agree 100% with the Da-Law-Dawg. Got a Shilen select 14" 30-30AI from them three years ago and LOVE IT.
125 Nosler ballistic tip, 33 grs IMR 4198, WW case Wolf LR Primer OAL 2.825, 2670 fps average and will shoot under 1" at 100 all day long and drops deer in their tracks.

[Keith L]

I guess I would say it depends on what you are going to use the barrel for.  My 30-30 takes no more than 50 yard shots at deer, and does not need one ragged hole to drop them.  I don't know what the cost difference is, but the factory TC barrel does fine for me.  If you are doing some long range or precision shooting, or just like tiny groups then spend the extra $.

[David D.]

I agree with Keith, it all depends on what you want or expect from this barrel. Most factory barrels with well tune loads are going to shoot accurate to very accurate from a Contender.

[Rodent]

I agree with Dave and Keith, but you will not be disappointed with MGM. I have an MGM 12.5 inch 30-30 AI barrel and it is wicked on deer and any paper target that gets in it's way.
 
 
Mike

[Ladobe]

+2 to Keith and David.
 
Lots of folks can't shoot their TC's well enough to matter for normal uses.   For them a factory barrel is more than enough.   Long/extreme range demands better - the longer and the smaller the target they more they demand in both equipment and technique.    A premium blank might make up some for lack of technique maybe, but it is not the solution for it.   Money would be better spent learning/improving technique IMO.
 

[muslmutt]

To me the extra money ensures that you will get a better barrel. You may get a factory barrel and it might be a tack driver or it may not. It's significantly less of a roll of the dice with a premium barrel. 

[Swampman]

I've never had a factory barrel that wasn't a tack driver.