Bobby Tomek
03-13-2024, 12:35 AM
https://i.postimg.cc/N0JRtdC3/EABCO-brm-scratches.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
As many of you know, I've had a 24" 6.5 BRM Contender barrel for several years now. It's been quite the pleasure, has accounted for many hogs, several coyotes and a buck while showing exceptional accuracy with its favorite loads.
I ordered the barrel new and directly from EABCO. I asked that it should be set up for a 6-screw base. Their EER base was added to the order, and I specified that I wanted to install the base myself (I am picky and have a certain way I want things done). But when the barrel arrived, the base was already mounted. I detected a bit of excess thread locker on the edges, and the screws all seemed even and snug, so I decided to leave it as-is. Holding zero was never an issue, so it seemed to have been well-installed.
Fast forward to 2024: I recently decided I may want to put my thermal on this barrel, but I already knew the slots on these bases are a bit too tight to accommodate the thermal setup. So I ordered an EGW picatinny base. Tonight, I removed the EABCO base and was floored by what I saw.
There were marks under most of the length of the base. At first I hoped that I was simply seeing excessive thread locker. Some of it was. But after thoroughly cleaning everything, I realized that what I was seeing was bare metal.
Now I know why the barrel arrived with the base already installed. Granted, the damage is covered and out of sight, but now I know it's there, and it's going to bug me.
I don't know what's worse: this situation or the sloppy, crooked brass with inconsistent (and short!) shoulder placement that they called "custom/fully-formed and ready to load."
Make no mistake: I love the barrel and how it performs. But this has soured me for good on ever getting another new barrel from EABCO.
https://i.postimg.cc/s29j7zHT/brass-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Y40BB5HF)
https://i.postimg.cc/LX9HVWr2/brass-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/QBzG8f8y)
After I returned the first batch of brass, this was a sample of the hand-picked replacement they sent. It was better...but not by all that much.
https://i.postimg.cc/xTPKQnGD/eabco-brass.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
And below is what newly-formed BRM brass is actually supposed to look like LOL.
https://i.postimg.cc/rm8fPt3Z/brm-load.jpg (https://postimg.cc/qt5ctgk2)
As many of you know, I've had a 24" 6.5 BRM Contender barrel for several years now. It's been quite the pleasure, has accounted for many hogs, several coyotes and a buck while showing exceptional accuracy with its favorite loads.
I ordered the barrel new and directly from EABCO. I asked that it should be set up for a 6-screw base. Their EER base was added to the order, and I specified that I wanted to install the base myself (I am picky and have a certain way I want things done). But when the barrel arrived, the base was already mounted. I detected a bit of excess thread locker on the edges, and the screws all seemed even and snug, so I decided to leave it as-is. Holding zero was never an issue, so it seemed to have been well-installed.
Fast forward to 2024: I recently decided I may want to put my thermal on this barrel, but I already knew the slots on these bases are a bit too tight to accommodate the thermal setup. So I ordered an EGW picatinny base. Tonight, I removed the EABCO base and was floored by what I saw.
There were marks under most of the length of the base. At first I hoped that I was simply seeing excessive thread locker. Some of it was. But after thoroughly cleaning everything, I realized that what I was seeing was bare metal.
Now I know why the barrel arrived with the base already installed. Granted, the damage is covered and out of sight, but now I know it's there, and it's going to bug me.
I don't know what's worse: this situation or the sloppy, crooked brass with inconsistent (and short!) shoulder placement that they called "custom/fully-formed and ready to load."
Make no mistake: I love the barrel and how it performs. But this has soured me for good on ever getting another new barrel from EABCO.
https://i.postimg.cc/s29j7zHT/brass-2.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Y40BB5HF)
https://i.postimg.cc/LX9HVWr2/brass-1.jpg (https://postimg.cc/QBzG8f8y)
After I returned the first batch of brass, this was a sample of the hand-picked replacement they sent. It was better...but not by all that much.
https://i.postimg.cc/xTPKQnGD/eabco-brass.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
And below is what newly-formed BRM brass is actually supposed to look like LOL.
https://i.postimg.cc/rm8fPt3Z/brm-load.jpg (https://postimg.cc/qt5ctgk2)