Jay,

This is what i've heard from a few people. All have been the 26" heavy barrel. That's why I asked about it. Do you have the heavy 26" barrel? Not sure what the problem would be with the 26" over the 24" but there is from what I read.

It's sad but Virgin Valley is no longer in business. I noticed that Midway still has a couple of there barrels.
You still have OTT,David White,Bullberry,SSK,Gary Reeder and Fox Ridge. Fox Ridge don't cut custom chambers so there not really custom. They use the same machines and techniques. Only difference from the custom shop and the standerd factory barrels would be a barrel configuration and caliber they don't offer in standerd factory. The factory barrels I have shoot just fine.

mine is the 24" inch standard and it is very accurate and and no kick to talk about with great speed as well. if i was going to a bull barrel it would be for a 22-250 or a 223 or 243 but for my 25-06 you don't need one and you can get an ackly improved if you want to pay the extra but i wouldn't be afraid to hunt elk with it with the right ammo. as for stainless i am not a big fan of it and i do have a 17hmr from savage with a stainless bull barrel but use a black matte scope. i think it would be nice if you could get a set up in a matter silver finish instead of a stainless then i would be more approachable to it. go witht he blued and enjoy man it is one accurate caliber for encore



rob k

Just ordered new Encore frame. Are Fox Ridge barrels better than factory T/C barrels. Should I give up the $$ for a Virgin Valley? If I go with the VV do I have to get there stock set because of the forend hanger? Haw about Bullberrys? I am a lefty so I hope this will be a good investment.

A good investment indeed. Might I suggest a trigger job on your new encore as well, I have worked with Fred at Bullberry when I bought my encore and can highly recommend them, had the trigger set to 2 pounds and the setup is a delight to shoot. Have heard that VV is shutting down, sure hope not. Also have heard that they are restructuring and will open up as a slightly different company. Can't tell you about Fox Ridge at all. I bought mine for varmint hunting and have not been let down at all, I'm sure you will be very pleased with it.

OTT, David White???? Never herd of them. Do they have web pages?

OTT is >>> http://www.mbmco.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv
David White has no site but you can reach him here>>>
precision_rifleworks@yahoo.com Or here>>>
http://www.bellmtcs.com/forum/index.php?s=8d2b580b00b4ce3915fcfc935ee57f49&act=SF&f=24

Fox Ridge barrels can be very accurate if you handload. It seems that they have a problem keeping their throats to reasonable lengths. The 2 that I have will not shoot worth a darn with factory ammo (too much jump to the lands) with handloads stretched out (my .350 Rem Mag has .350" of Nosler Ballistic Tip in the case) they shoot well under 1 MOA.

I don't know if they do this to try to reduce pressures or just out of sloppiness. Sean