30-30 Barrel for Contender -- TC or Custom?

[Scout]

I have read on some other sites that a TC barrel (especially in 30-30) is not a good investment since the quality and accuracy is much lower than a Belm, Bulberry or other custom barrel, and the custom barrel is not a whole lot more in cost.  Anyone have any experience with this?  Is the TC 30-30 doing what you all want? or not?

Thanks, Scout

[WildcatTC]

Mine is doing everything that I have asked of it.MOA with most load and no more than 1 1/2 groups with all the other loads that I have come up with. :gun4:

[KN]

I personally know very few people that can shoot a custom barrel any more accuratlly than a factory barrel. Most people that buy custom barrels do so for a specific reason. Wild cat, Bull barrel, special length,or something they can't get from the factory. Factory barrels are far more accurate than most of the shooters behind the trigger. Just my opinion. KN

[Geno]

I've beeen using my factory super 14 for about 15 years, I am EXTREMELY pleased with it's accuracy. Far more than I could ever have hoped for. If I were to spend the money on a CUSTOM barrel, my thinkning would be more like a 309JDJ.  

[Crayfish]

I have a Super 14 30-30 barrel that is about 8yrs old now.  It will shoot .6 to 1" groups on a regular basis with my load of W748 and 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tips.  This is also with a T/C 2.5-7 scope, like cknight has on his.  It's scary how regularly it will produce sub-1" groups at 100yds  :shock:  !!  This has been the most repeatably accurate gun I've ever had (competing against the long guns in my safe).

Now, I have heard "rumors" that the newer 30-30's are not as good as the older ones, but I have no personal data to support this.  I would not hesitate to buy another, though, if I had the need for it!

Good luck ... Crayfish

[eodusa]

Agreed.  Most factory is more than accurate for hunting.
If you are looking for Sub MOA, then a custom will help.
Bottom line, after trekking and hauling all your gear, but the time you get a shot off on that deer you are the main accuracy contributor. You won't be shooting off a bench...

[shot1]

The first barrel I ever had was a 10" 30-30 and it was accurate. Like you said there is not much difference in a custom and factory barrel price wise. I now have a MGM Stainless 14" 30-30AI that is super accurate and is a real deer thumper. If you go custom I would STRONGLY recommend the 30-30AI and MGM (Match Grade Machines). You can shoot factory 30-30 in it to fire form your cases, and it is accurate with factory ammo, but it really shines with 125 ballistic tips and IMR 4198 powder in AI cases to the tune of between 2600 and 2700 fps. I average 2670 fps with mine. This load just plain smacks deer dead in their tracks.

[3leggedturtle]

I second what  shot1 says. I just bought a 12" 30/30  barrel from MGM. The accuracy is astounding, and their worksmanship is a pleasure to look at.  3leg