E.A. Brown Custom Barrels

[Jim B.]

I was thinking of getting a new barrel from Virgin Valley but that is obviously no longer possible.  In looking at the alternatives I noticed that E.A. Brown sells what they claim are custom barrels.  Does anyone have experience with their "custom" barrels?  Are they made by the TC Custom Shop or one of the other large custom makers?  Their prices seem reasonable - any advice would be appreciated.

Jim B. in Indiana

[scienceguy]

Jim,

I was told in an e-mail by Doug Shilen that he supplies barrel blanks to Eabco and several other "custom" Encore barrel suppliers.  I had recently asked Shilen Rifles if they had considered going into the Encore barrel business.  They replied that they had considered it, but at the present time they did not want to go into competition with several companies buying blanks from them, notably Eabco.  If Eabco does a good job chambering and crowning, the barrels should be great.  I've owned several Shilen barrels and they have been exceptionally accurate.  I have a Virgin Valley Encore .223 barrel, they used Shilen blanks too.  I too would like to hear if anyone has some experience with the "custom accuracy" barrel offered by Eabco.  Somebody in this business could make a huge profit if they could offer a quality barrel at close to factory price.  I guess high volume with strict quality standards would be the way to go to hold prices down.  I am a true optimist, don't know if that could be done!

scienceguy

[armory414]

If it could be done, then  TC (or Fox Ridge Outfitters) would have done it.

Another option for custom barrels besides EABrown are Bulberry Barrel Works and On Target Technologies (www.mcmbo.com).  OTT uses Douglas blanks.  Not sure about Bulberry.

[Graybeard]

Eabco barrels used to be made by Virgin Valley. IF they are now making their own it's a recent change. Don't over look the best of them out there and a GBO sponsor. SSK Industries.