Author Topic: Who makes the best custom barrel (Read 782 times)

wareagleguy · « **on:** October 03, 2005, 04:45:14 PM »

I am thinking of a 15 inch barrel in 7mm 08. Which custom barrel maker makes the most accurate?

Opinions please?

Kates · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2005, 05:03:40 PM »

I have a factory 7mm-08 and I couldnt be more pleased. Im shooting Winchester 140 gr. Ballistic Silver Tips. This was my first Encore now Im addicted.

scienceguy · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2005, 05:39:50 PM »

I have several custom barrels from different makers. Without a doubt, the best barrel I have was made by OTT (On Target Technologies). Mike at OTT cuts the chamber to match dummy shells you provide. The barrel is made to fit your reloaded ammunition, not the other way around. Fit and finish are superb, accuracy is incredible, but the four month wait is not quite as enjoyable. Do a search on OTT to find out the details.

xphunter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2005, 03:13:59 AM »

OTT (Mike Sirios) is one of the best out there.
Waiting is part of getting the highest quality. No one likes it, but we accept it when we know it is worth it.

KYODE · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2005, 03:22:00 AM »

OTT sure has a good rep, and he is very accomodating on helpin YOU out. i think he "cares" about the customer.

he can customize your chamber to your exact specs in dimension, as he uses no reamers.

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2005, 04:17:55 AM »

Over the years I have had barrels from Bullberry, SSK Industries, Virgin Valley Custom Guns and On Target Technologies. In addition I have also had more factory barrels than I care to admit to. In a nut shell the factory barrels shot quite well, but for the most part all of the Custom Barrels shot better.

I had two basically identical barrels in 6mm T/CU. One was made by Virgin Valley Custom Guns and the other by On Target Technologies. Since I had a lot of once fired brass left from the Virgin Valley Custom Guns Barrel I sent some fired cases and sized cases to Mike at On Target Technologies when I had that barrel made. Mike made the chamber to the exact dimensions of the first chamber, and the fired brass from the first barrel fit into Mike's barrel like it was made of it.

The thing Mike did differently was he throated the barrel to the dimensions of the dummy rounds I sent him with an 80gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip seated so the base of the bullet was at the base of the neck of the cartridge case. Not sure if it was the machining, Mike's attention to detail or just the differences in barrels but the On Target Technology Barrel shot a little faster and more accurately.

While not the same cartridge, I have had two different Bullberry Barrels chambered for the 6mm-223. One was a shooter the other not. In fact I had to send the one back to Fred due to a chamber problem, and Fred tried to fix the chamber but was unable to so he made me a totally new barrel no charge. However that was the one that was not a shooter.

The SSK Industries Contender Barrel is a .250 Savage that I currently have (just reaquired it from the buddy that talked me out of it several years ago). This one is a good shooter, equal to most of the factory barrels I have had and better than some. It consistantly prints groups of 1" or less, but I have yet to hit the elusive 1/2" mark (which is my mark for a great barrel).

All in all I think you can have good or bad from any of the barrel makers, just like you can with T/C Factory Barrels. If I were to order a new barrel tomorrow I am quite certain it would be from On Target Technologies.

Larry

Graycg · « **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2005, 06:12:22 AM »

I wouldn't overlook Dave Van Horn either, I have barrels from Virgin Valley, Bullberry, SSK and factory and custom shop barrels, I find the Van Horns to be extremely accurate and well finished. Don't YET have an OTT, but soon....

regards,
graycg