Author Topic: Just ordered a barrel from MatchGrade Machine (Read 1299 times)

Sandy Flakeman · « **on:** December 07, 2006, 02:59:19 AM »

Ordered a barrel today from MatchGrade Machine, the former Virgin Valley Custom Guns people.

They say the barrel will ship in around 6 weeks. Looking forward to getting it. It's a 50 inline ML.

Anyone else have one of these? I was going to get one from Bullberry but the 6-8 month wait and the fact that they dont attch a ramrod made me look elsewhere.

Buckskin · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2006, 04:10:31 AM »

Just curious of what the cost difference is between a MatchGrade Machine barrel and a factory TC. I really have a hard time believing that there is going to be much of a accuracy difference between the two.

skb2706 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2006, 04:26:09 AM »

Believe this..........MGM uses a Shilen blank..........TC uses a TC blank (or whoever is the lowest bidder). A Shilen barrel blank is finished inside like a mirror...that is very very easy to clean. Shilen makes BR barrels.....TC does not make them or buy them. You get what you pay for........typically an MGM barrel is twice as much money as a TC factory job. Some guys like cheap and some guys like good.

Buckskin · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2006, 05:02:16 AM »

Quote from: skb2706 on December 07, 2006, 04:26:09 AM

Believe this..........MGM uses a Shilen blank..........TC uses a TC blank (or whoever is the lowest bidder). A Shilen barrel blank is finished inside like a mirror...that is very very easy to clean. Shilen makes BR barrels.....TC does not make them or buy them. You get what you pay for........typically an MGM barrel is twice as much money as a TC factory job. Some guys like cheap and some guys like good.

Actually I think I was talking about accuracy. Not how pretty it is. If I can get 1" groups with my factory ML barrel, how much better can an MGM be in accuracy. Especially in a ML. With the new powders these days cleaning is a snap anyway. You get what you pay for but you don't always have to spend the most to get great results. I guess you can flaunt that you spent 500 on a barrel to your freinds but if it doesn't produce any better then what's the point.
And what's with all the periods?

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2006, 05:31:34 AM »

I bought the MGM barrel because my factory TC barrel is not so accurate and the rifling looks rough even though I bought it new. They also make it in any length you want and I prefer 24".
2 to 3" groups at 50 yards with scope are the best I can do using numerous types of bullets and cleaning after every three shots.

The man at MGM said the counter sunk bore on the TC can sometimes cause accuracy problems if it was not done correctly. He said to expect 1" groups with the MGM barrel.

On the other hand, I have a TC 12 gauge rifled slug barrel that has same hole accuracy with Fed Premium Sabots at 50 yards.
I guess it's luck of the draw with factory TC barrels.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2006, 06:43:11 AM »

All news to me, I have had 5 Encore M/L barrels and still have 2 of them. I am shooting MOA (1 inch) groups at 100 yards. I did it with all the M/L barrels I received from T/C. My buddies now own the other 3 M/L's from Encore and they love the accuracy. I can't see spending that kind of money just to say I have a custom barrel that probably won't shoot any better than my factory barrels for about half the price. But to each his own.

skb2706, where did you get the information as to where T/C buys there barrels?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2006, 06:59:20 AM »

Quote from: skb2706 on December 07, 2006, 04:26:09 AM

Believe this..........MGM uses a Shilen blank..........TC uses a TC blank (or whoever is the lowest bidder). A Shilen barrel blank is finished inside like a mirror...that is very very easy to clean. Shilen makes BR barrels.....TC does not make them or buy them. You get what you pay for........typically an MGM barrel is twice as much money as a TC factory job. Some guys like cheap and some guys like good.

Ok lets get a little technical here.

What exactly is a Shilen blank? And what do you know about them?
I spoke to T/C and they told me they buy there barrel blanks that have to meet certain spec's and grades of steel, they are different from the stainless to the blued barrel stock .According to T/C they produce there own barrels right there in the factory using blanks that meet all requirements and spec's.

skb2706 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2006, 07:30:03 AM »

Quote from: Buckskin on December 07, 2006, 05:02:16 AM

Quote from: skb2706 on December 07, 2006, 04:26:09 AM
Believe this..........MGM uses a Shilen blank..........TC uses a TC blank (or whoever is the lowest bidder). A Shilen barrel blank is finished inside like a mirror...that is very very easy to clean. Shilen makes BR barrels.....TC does not make them or buy them. You get what you pay for........typically an MGM barrel is twice as much money as a TC factory job. Some guys like cheap and some guys like good.

Actually I think I was talking about accuracy. Not how pretty it is. If I can get 1" groups with my factory ML barrel, how much better can an MGM be in accuracy. Especially in a ML. With the new powders these days cleaning is a snap anyway. You get what you pay for but you don't always have to spend the most to get great results. I guess you can flaunt that you spent 500 on a barrel to your freinds but if it doesn't produce any better then what's the point.
And what's with all the periods?

Apparently you missed the part about the bench rest barrels. I put in the periods to help you not miss that...it didn't work.

I have custom barrels and I have factory barrels. The only person I have to justify the purchase to is me. None of my friends give a damn about what I spend on barrels nor does it ever come up in conversation. Appearance differences between factory and custom barrels are nearly nonexistent. Don't own a BP barrel, don't want one but the custom barrels I do have shoot extremely well, are made to my specs, clean up quickly and I wouldn't rade them for cash and a similar factory TC barrel.

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2006, 08:08:37 AM »

No need to get ugly on this subject. I just posted this as information and it was not meant to cause friction.

I'm not looking to impress my friends with this barrel. My friends could care less. I'm not happy with the quality of the machining and accuracy of my TC ML barrel and thought I'd upgrade to a custom. If you have sub-MOA TC factory barrels then I'm very happy for you. My experience with the quality of TC barrels has been so-so. Like I mentioned before, I have a 12 Gauge rifled slug factory barrel that is accurate to the extreme. I wouldn't trade it for a custom.

Thanks for the opinions.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2006, 10:08:50 AM »

Sandy Flakeman, I am not downing your decision to get what you want. I am just adding my experiences with 5 muzzleloader barrels that I have had from T/C that shot and still shot 1 inch groups at 100 yards. I hope your barrel works out great for you. Also I was saying you were going to try to impress your friends with a custom barrel. My whole thought process was, why would I spend that much money on a custom barrel that won't shoot any better than the M/L barrels that I currently own.

Sorry to here you had a bad experience with your Encore M/L barrel, have you though about sending to back to T/C and see if they may be able to either fix or replace the barrel?

My response was to skb2706, because my perception of his post was that T/C barrels were no good, at least that is what I got out of his post.

skb2706, I did not miss the BR barrel comment. But what does that have to do with a muzzleloader barrel? If you don't have any real experience with the muzzleloader barrel you speak so highly of, how can anyone take your opinion seriously or with any credibility. And if you have never shot a T/C muzzleloader barrel how can you say they are so inferior to any other custom barrel?

Thanks for your time.

Leslil223 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2006, 01:47:19 PM »

A friend of mine had problems with his Encore ML he called TC and was told to send it to them and he would be sent a replacement. I can not remember the bullet but the first 3 shot group was 7/8 100 yards. As far as the QLA goes it is only aprox. 5/8 so it would have to be severly out to make a difference.And by the way custom vrs factory does not matter. the proof is on the paper. I have a factory Marlin 883 22 Mag 1/2 50 yards I also have a custom Douglas 223 on a AR-15 my best .354 100 yards avg .675 If you love it you shall be treated the same.

skb2706 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2006, 04:16:19 AM »

SF - good luck with your MGM barrel. I am confident it will shoot very well and you need to post your results once you have a chance to shoot it. I have had excellent experiences working with Jeff at MGM and expect you will as well. After the first of the year i plan to order another barrel from them, won't be a bp (like the propellant behind the bullet makes some significant difference that I haven't figured out).

Buckskin · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2006, 05:19:34 AM »

Sandy, I'm sure your new barrel will shoot like a dream (it better) and hope you love it. I never nocked MGM I'm sure they put out a great product. But I do have a problem w/ people thinking that if you don't have a custom barrel you won't be able to hold a decent grouping. (ie,some guys like it cheap some like it good) I only have 3 barrels all TC (a ML, 204 and a pistol 7mm-08) all of which are MOA shooters if I do my part. So I seen no reason to start spending 2x as much for a name. I haven't had to send anything back to TC, but have heard from lots of folks that they will work w/ you if you have a problem. Also a ML is a different beast, you have to find something it likes. I bet Sandy's barrel could become a shooter w/ a little TLC.

flinthead · « **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2006, 05:30:23 AM »

I ordered a barrel from MGM yesterday... It was only about $80 more than a pro-hunter barrel. Peace

Buckskin · « **Reply #14 on:** December 08, 2006, 08:26:45 AM »

Well, then you should have gotten one from Bullberry. Then you would have a shooter for sure. Not so sure about the cheaper version of customs.

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #15 on:** December 08, 2006, 08:40:22 AM »

Quote from: Buckskin on December 08, 2006, 08:26:45 AM

Well, then you should have gotten one from Bullberry. Then you would have a shooter for sure. Not so sure about the cheaper version of customs.

Bullberry was my first choice but they don't make one with an attached ramrod.

Buckskin · « **Reply #16 on:** December 08, 2006, 11:24:55 AM »

Quote

Bullberry was my first choice but they don't make one with an attached ramrod.

Quote

Really? So what the heck are you supposed to do with it, stick it in your backpocket?
For $509 I would think they would have that as at least an option.

Sandy Flakeman · « **Reply #17 on:** December 08, 2006, 01:26:08 PM »

Quote from: Buckskin on December 08, 2006, 11:24:55 AM

Quote

Bullberry was my first choice but they don't make one with an attached ramrod.
Quote

Really? So what the heck are you supposed to do with it, stick it in your backpocket?
For $509 I would think they would have that as at least an option.

I talked to Fred and he said they refuse to make them that way fo accuracy reasons. He also will not make them to use a standard TC forend and you have to buy his hanger bar forend. No exceptions. Fred said they sell a special ramrod with a sheath that you wear like a sword. I'm serious.

Buckskin · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2006, 07:13:41 AM »

I talked to Fred and he said they refuse to make them that way fo accuracy reasons. He also will not make them to use a standard TC forend and you have to buy his hanger bar forend. No exceptions. Fred said they sell a special ramrod with a sheath that you wear like a sword. I'm serious.
[/quote]

Thats crazy. Same for his hanger bar system. A lot of other ways to make a barrel float.

cam69conv · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2006, 09:35:17 AM »

Sounds Like Bull is fulla Bull....LiL raquet goin on there for his forends and as far as no Ramrod thats Just all well and fine for the RANGE...But absolutely USELESS for hunting. Sheesh at the sheer stupidity of people sometimes...BTW...Thanks RH for the Info on Bullets and weight and Load on My PH....Got clover leafs at 50 and Just under 1/2 at 100 so Im tickled PINK...One trick Im doing and it seems to be working ,obviously, Is taking a .45 cal brush and a Bore Butter Patch over it and scrubbing after each shot....Seems that seasoning the barrel is working great and it makes the breakin on the barrel a little gentler. OH yeah...And the .300win mag Is one holeing at 100 with 165grain Hornady interlocks....Now all I gotta do is match that load and powder and seat depth and so on and so on so I dont have to pay 40 bux a Box for Fac ammo

... And for the Poster....These are all the Prohunter series barrels from the factory not custom shop and I also have a 7mm.08 thats a tack driver as well....Sometimes just cuzz it costs more dont make it better...Just makes you broker

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 12, 2006, 01:04:30 PM »

Quote from: cam69conv on December 12, 2006, 09:35:17 AM

Sounds Like Bull is fulla Bull....LiL raquet goin on there for his forends and as far as no Ramrod thats Just all well and fine for the RANGE...But absolutely USELESS for hunting. Sheesh at the sheer stupidity of people sometimes...BTW...Thanks RH for the Info on Bullets and weight and Load on My PH....Got clover leafs at 50 and Just under 1/2 at 100 so Im tickled PINK...One trick Im doing and it seems to be working ,obviously, Is taking a .45 cal brush and a Bore Butter Patch over it and scrubbing after each shot....Seems that seasoning the barrel is working great and it makes the breakin on the barrel a little gentler. OH yeah...And the .300win mag Is one holeing at 100 with 165grain Hornady interlocks....Now all I gotta do is match that load and powder and seat depth and so on and so on so I dont have to pay 40 bux a Box for Fac ammo ... And for the Poster....These are all the Prohunter series barrels from the factory not custom shop and I also have a 7mm.08 thats a tack driver as well....Sometimes just cuzz it costs more dont make it better...Just makes you broker

Great results with your Pro-hunter. Hard to beat them.