For those of you with non-TC factory barrels, how far from the breechface is the very first hole for the scope base screws? On TC factory stuff, the first is generally only a half-inch or so away.

On one custom RIFLE barrel I have, the first screw is at least 3 inches away from the breechface. This makes for a rather awkward situation. This almost lends itself to a scout rifle setup. Last week, I have inquired regarding the norm but have not received an answer. If this was a pistol barrel, it would not be so critical. But on a rifle barrel, this much room really seems odd to me.

Bobby, I have and like mine ~2" forward of the breechface. This puts the turrets of most larger scopes dead center of the two rings using a leupold DD Encore base.....for my prefered eye relief using the standard factory rynite buttstock.
Dave

Dave-I just checked a 7mm Bullberry carbine barrel of mine, and it is app. 2". That works quite well for me and does seem to give optimum scope positioning. But the 3+ on the other barrel is a little awkward for my own shooting style.