Author Topic: Bergara vs. T/C vs. Custom barrels? (Read 4413 times)

Swift One · « **on:** December 01, 2009, 05:12:16 AM »

I'm tweeking a friend's Encore muzzle loader in a rifle caliber. We have the caliber down to 7mm-08 and I am getting a hammer spring, a 3lb trigger spring, and a lock up lug spring from BellM. I have had some good experience with him before on the Encores. My freinds goal is to use this as a predator/ varmint rifle for yotes and Ground Hogs. No, we do not keep the pelts. He is also going to use this for western game hunting (Muleys and Speed Goats). He would like to be able to shoot at least MOA out to 500yds. So, with that I'm stuck on which route to go with on a barrel. Are the Bergaras capable of this? I was also looking at the MGM barrels They are considerably more expensive though. At the end of the day, we are not talking about sniping PDogs are something small like that at great ranges. What say the Encore rifle shooters??

jy951 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2009, 12:02:34 PM »

I'd say the T/C factory Encore barrels are probably better than the Bergara barrels. Also, there is currrently a rebate on them, so they may be around the same price as the Bergaras. You may not need a custom barrel for that caliber as the T/C's usually shoot pretty well.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2009, 12:44:05 PM »

In my opinion, the ONLY advantage to a Bergara barrel is the price. There are plenty of tales on the web of these barrels not fitting the frame and, not too long ago, there was posted a photo of one on which the weld holding the locking lug cracked. I wouldn't have one.

MGM has a good reputation as does SSK Industries and On Target Technologies. All of my Encore barrels are from T/C but that is soon to change as I'll have one coming soon from MGM. I've been quite satisfied with T/C barrels.

If your friend really wants to shoot Mule Deer and Pronghorns at 500 yards, I think he would be better off with a cartridge with a bit more horsepower than the 7mm/08. The 7mm Remington Magnum and 300 Winchester Magnum come to mind.

kctibs · « **Reply #3 on:** December 01, 2009, 01:48:00 PM »

Not to get off topic. But if I may be excused for not knowing. I have seen in several posts talking about someone using censored word. Who is this and why no name? Forgive me I just had to ask.

Keith L · « **Reply #4 on:** December 01, 2009, 02:27:46 PM »

The censored one and GB are not on good terms, and he is not welcome here.

kctibs · « **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 2009, 03:00:36 PM »

gotcha, that clears it some up. Thanks

pozoutdoors · « **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 2009, 03:53:19 PM »

I use a factory blued tc .25-06 barrel and it is the most accurate barrel/gun I have ever shot!!! .25-06 is also a good choice for shooting way out there!! It is easy to shoot because of its flat shooting with light recoil!!! You can load it with light bullets for the small stuff and heavier bullets for the bigger stuff!!

southernutah · « **Reply #7 on:** December 01, 2009, 06:43:44 PM »

Buy american.........thats all i got to say

Ladobe · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2009, 10:59:45 PM »

If the ranges will be long and the targets small... custom, as in from certain custom barrel makers is all I'd have. Other than that there is not a thing wrong with TC's barrels, either production or their so called (wrongly called) custom for most hunting situations. Bergara? Sounds like a foreign disease to me.

Swift One · « **Reply #9 on:** December 02, 2009, 05:21:20 AM »

Thanks for the replies fellas. Looks like I have it narrowed down to the Bergara or the T/C. I'll leave that up to my freind. As for the 7mm-08 not having enough horse power, im not worried about that. It's just my opinion, and I dont have anything against the magnum calibers, but I dont think that a 7mm-08, 25-06, 30-06, 280Rem, 257Roberts, or classics like that will have any probs handling any Muleys and especially pronghorn at those ranges.

bphunter · « **Reply #10 on:** December 06, 2009, 07:06:17 AM »

I have a 50% mix of Bergara and Encore barrels. In my experience they all shoot about the same in terms of accuracy, MOA or better with the right handloads. The only appreciable difference between them for me has been the copper fouling tendencies of the TC barrels. The Bergara barrels without exception are visually much smoother than any centerfire TC barrel I own and foul very little. This is the only gripe I have with TC barrels. For some reason all my TC muzzleloader barrels have remarkably smooth, mirror like bores. TC is running a $50 rebate program until the end of December which cuts the price differential down to about $40 or less, depending on which barrel your looking at. If you're looking for a 26" heavy barrel then I think TC is your only choice.

stxhunter · « **Reply #11 on:** December 06, 2009, 10:11:29 AM »

Tried a Bergara barrel and it would not lock up properly on my frame. My T/C barrels shoot good. My new MGM barrel shots great!

cmc · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2009, 05:14:52 AM »

I bought a .243 Bergara for my wife to use deer hunting. It didn't require any work to get it to lock up in the frame I'll say that much although it doesn't group for a darn either. I get 2.5" group at 100yds with three different types of factory ammo. I don't have time to reload and to be honest I'd expect a lot better than than out of a factory barrel. To add insult to it the tapping for the screws to mount the forearm are horrible. The spacing is off and they are not square to each other nor the barrel. If I could do it over again I'd put the money into a T/C or MGM barrel, in fact I will be but probably go with a 25-06 chamber to get a little more of a flat shooter.

shootinpreacher48 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2009, 09:53:06 AM »

i have heard good and bad about Bergara barrels, with the encore i have a friend who has a Optima elite in 223 and that gun will flat shoot, it is very accurate and loves homemade 223 bullets made out of 22lr cases.

Jay, Tx · « **Reply #14 on:** December 10, 2009, 10:42:44 AM »

No mention of Bullberry? The one barrel I have so far is made by them, and I've had zero complaints once I got it. Shoots great, fits tight as can be, and the level of fouling is the best I've seen out of any of my rifles yet (well, my Sako is awfully close). I'm sure the same compliments can be made about other barrels out there too. I don't even have a basis of comparison at this point. But it's a nice barrel/rifle for sure. I ordered the whole rifle from them. I knew little about what I actually wanted other than the caliber and "Encore". When I got the rifle, I got exactly what I had pictured in my mind. Very knowledgeable and helpful folks, and top notch craftsmanship.

My one communication (Email) to Mr. Censored, got me a very rude reply and not one answer to any question I had. So I spent my money elsewhere. And from what I've heard about him since then, I'm glad I did.

Jay

southernutah · « **Reply #15 on:** December 10, 2009, 04:09:53 PM »

Jay, I think it down to the money. Bullberry will come in a lot more even if they make a great product and good warrenty same with T/C with their production barrel. Never had a Bergara don't think i ever will. Still right now I'm for buy american

pozoutdoors · « **Reply #16 on:** December 10, 2009, 04:26:07 PM »

I agree!!! Buy american if you can....it may save a job!!! I have mostly TC barrels. I do have a VVCG .50 muzzleloader barrel and can't really say it shoots better than the tc barrel I used to have. But it will shoot about 1" groups at 100yrds. The only tc barrel I have had problems with is my .223 barrel. I need to load rounds just for this barrel. I've been trying to use loads that would also work in my ar-15!!! My TC .25-06 barrel will outshoot even my heavy barreled ar-15!!! Under 1" at 200yrds!!!!

jy951 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 11, 2009, 03:28:53 AM »

If you order a Bullberry barrel, you never know when you will get it. Most likely it'll take about a year.

One Eye · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2009, 08:08:01 AM »

Quote from: jy951 on December 11, 2009, 03:28:53 AM

If you order a Bullberry barrel, you never know when you will get it. Most likely it'll take about a year.

Is that from experience, or from rumor? Their website claims 6 weeks, as did the nice lady I spoke with on the phone today from there.
Dan

Catfish · « **Reply #19 on:** December 11, 2009, 10:41:57 AM »

I have never own and barrel for the Contender or Encore other than T/C and Bullberry. I did get 2 bad barrels from T/C both in .204 and right after they came into production and T/C replaced them. I do believe that Bullberry barrels are more accurate but if enough to justify the extra cost is something you will have to deside. Other than the 2, .204 all of the other T/C barrel had good hunting accuracy and some alittle better.

Jay, Tx · « **Reply #20 on:** December 11, 2009, 03:56:11 PM »

Quote from: jy951 on December 11, 2009, 03:28:53 AM

If you order a Bullberry barrel, you never know when you will get it. Most likely it'll take about a year.

Mine took 6 months (was told 4 months). From what I understand now, the trick to getting one quicker is to place the wood order separate (on a different day) from the barrel order. Something about Fred not starting the barrel work until the wood is completely done. I guess ordering them separate, and having them on separate invoices gets the barrel into production faster. This was the advice I was given from a member on this site who's been friends with Fred for a long time, after I ordered mine all at once and had to wait so long. I know, doesn't make a lot of sense. But some things in this world never will.

I had thought seriously about MGM for my next barrel. But it looks like they don't offer any wood work. So Bullberry might very well get the next order from me as well. Certainly nothing to complain about on craftsmanship.

Jay

nomosendero · « **Reply #21 on:** December 11, 2009, 04:17:41 PM »

cmc · « **Reply #22 on:** December 22, 2009, 07:33:24 AM »

I just added another barrel to my Encore collection by ordering a T/C 7mm Mag in prep for my wife's next elk hunt. I hope it turns out to be a shooter. Well see.

robert4570 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 26, 2009, 09:21:16 AM »

Quote from: southernutah on December 01, 2009, 06:43:44 PM

Buy american.........thats all i got to say

I'll second that statement........especially nowadays.

jy951 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 27, 2009, 04:25:25 AM »

Quote from: One Eye on December 11, 2009, 08:08:01 AM

Quote from: jy951 on December 11, 2009, 03:28:53 AM
If you order a Bullberry barrel, you never know when you will get it. Most likely it'll take about a year.
Is that from experience, or from rumor? Their website claims 6 weeks, as did the nice lady I spoke with on the phone today from there.
Dan

I'm still waiting for a call for a barrel I ordered from their stub sale about 6 months ago. They said they'd call when they start production and I could make my payment then. Still no call and I don't expect one anytime soon.