Just picked up my first encore frame. Still don't have a barrel (pistol or rifle). I read all about these custom barrels and they sound incredible. I'm not into match shooting and I'm brand new to reloading. Do I need a custom barrel to hunt with or are the factory barrels acceptable. I'll be looking to pick up a .223 or a 22-250 for my first purchase (rifle). Then I'll top it with a new pentax. Any suggestions on the barrel, custom or factory?

Of the two barrels you mention, I'd go for the 22-250.

I have two Thompson/Center Custom Shop barrels and a bunch of factory barrels. They all shoot quite well. I'm sure SSK barrels and the barrels of other custom makers are good but I don't have any (I've never become convinced they're worth the considerably higher cost).

The custom barrels have gotten quite expensive, nearly double what the factory barrels run.

As far as custom or factory, it depends on what your accuracy criteria is. If you want the absolute best accuracy, you should go the custom route. That said, the factory tubes tend to shoot ok, handloads should have little problem shooting at moa or a tad better. If you're after 1/2 moa groups, then you should seriously consider the custom.

Thanks for the advice!! Unless I stumble across a good deal on a custom barrel it looks like I'm going with factory stuff.

Another consideration is that factory barrels are not available in all sizes and calibers.

I have two Bullberry's, one light contour 18" Contender in 7mm TCU (my new favorite deer rifle) and one 24" Encore in 6.5-06AI. They both shoot very well and were worth the price, only because I wanted them and they were not available in a factory config.

Another reason is to get a specific twist, not available from the factory. I have a factory .22-250 that I ran an AI reamer into and I wish it had a 1 in 8" twist, not the 1 in 12" twist that came from the factory. It is not a big priority for me now, but if I were to do it over again, I probably would have gone with a custom barrel to get the 1 in 8" twist.

Guess it really depends upon what you want and how much you are willing to spend to get it.

Good luck with your new TC!!

Factory barrels are good and relatively inexpensive. If you want a chambering not available from T/C, custom dimensions or ultra accuracy, then buy a custom. The custom barrels are very nice but more expensive.

I've seen barrels from some of the custom barrel makers and they are awesome. I have a 50 Alaskan barrel from SSK. It's very nice and the muzzle brake is one of the best. I have several factory barrels and they shoot well.

Just depends on what's important to you???