I have just recently gotten into T/C Encores. I am looking at buying a few barrels to go along with it. I have heard that factory barrels and custom shop barrls are not that great compared to places like VVG, SSk, and Bullberry. are these barrels really that bad of a product or is this more marketing than fact? Is the approx 100 to 150 price difference worth it?

Thank you,
Erik F.

Erik - depends on what you want the barrel to do. High end custom barrels, at least from my own experience, tend to shoot more accurately, are easier to clean (read finished much better inside)and are available in calibers you can't get from Fox Ridge or TC (they are one in the same). For the vast majority of hunting and shooting the answer would be no they are not a "bad product"...........with that said I own more VVCG and BB barrels than factory.
I wish there was only a $150 difference........

Erik, one common misconception is that the Factory Barrels and the Fox Ridge barrels are the exact same. The fox ridge barrels are thicker (standard and heavy). I won't own a Factory Barrel anymore. Some of them shoot ok, most won't. I have several friends who have VVG, and Bullberry barrels. They shoot well. But I have sub-moa barrels from Fox Ridge for a lot less. My Encore is not for Benchrest Competition, it's for hunting, but when my .270 is turning out .70" groups with factory ammo, I am not going to complain. I have nothing against VVG or BullBerry, they are fine products for sure, but if you want to buy a few more barrels and save a few $$, I suggest at least trying one.

ERIC: I HAVE AN ENCORE WITH SEVERAL BARRELS, ONLY ONE WAY TO GO:

BULLBERRY! ANY CONFIGURATION, LENGTH, TAPER, OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS--- JUST ASK FRED! (FRED BULLBERRY) QUALITY IS THERE! PLUS PROFORMANCE! FIGURE ON $100.00 PLUS, IN GENERAL.

Eric,

Although custom barrels are often more accurate and foul less than TC Factory barrels... Your decision really depends on what you're looking for.

It's the rare TC Factory barrel that won't shoot MOA accuracy and I've run into NONE that foul more than many Remington 700s that are coming off the production lines now.

If you're a hunter or casual target shooter, you can't go wrong with Thompson Center's excellent products.

If you are looking for a target or varmint barrel for fine precision and accuracy or LONG range shooting then you will probably want a custom barrel.

Personally.... I have a few of both and am very happy with both.

$bob$

I am not a target shooter. As far as Varmint hunting I take a shot at a coyote once in a while and 400yds in my book is a heck of a long ways away, 300 is still far, 200 is getting closer to comtorable to me. But I have dreams of hunting antolope some day and want the ablity to make a 400 yard shot if I have the skill to make it. Thanks for the answers so far.

Erik f.

I've been pleased with Contender barrels, as most shoot very well as they come from T/C, with factory fore ends.

Encore barrels, at least the two I have, are finally showing signs of settling down, but only with special attention to the bedding. They're almost ( but not quite) too much trouble.

I've ordered a Fox Ridge barrel,and hope that one will be more flexible. I have two of the Virgin Valley hangers, and I'm waiting on a Virgin Valley fore end and I believe that may solve my problems with the two factory barrels I have. Firing off of sand bags with the hangers and no fore ends showed promise.