Recommended: Blaser R8 barrel from Evolved Ballistics & Texas Sporting Arms

xbr897

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I wanted to share my very positive experience with ordering a new 22" 7MM BC barrel from Evolved Ballistics with the chambering done by Texas Sporting Arms. Price was $1550 for Proof Blank + Akila Bear8 + Chambering + muzzle threading. Only thing not included was a magazine insert. I was able to source a 30-06 insert pretty easily. The communication and support from Paul @ Evolved & Tip @ TSA was just great. When the barrel arrived I realized they hadn't marked it. I sent an email late at night my time and the next morning had an email with return shipping label to get it back to them. Tip also called me to explain that the metal band on the barrel was narrower that was shown in the pics on the website, so he wanted to be sure I was Ok with the marking being vertical. I had the barrel back to me within a week with the marking now on it.

** Adding links here as Spearhead correctly pointed out I forgot them

It took me some time, but i finally got to the range with it last weekend. This group was the first group of 3 shots I fired with it at 100 yards using an Akila Excelsior chassis since I haven't yet relieved my R8 Professional stock to fit the proof barrel contour. The ammo was the Federal factory Terminal Ascent 170gr ammo. Federal marks the box at 3150 fps but I can't find the barrel length they used. My Garmin showed average of 3079 FPS with SD of 8.9 over the total of 7 shots I fired (was doing a few 1 shot & clean shots for break in and zeroing scope). As you can see the first group was excellent with sub 1/2 MOA. Still need to adjust zero a bit to get it down and right to align to POA.
TSA 7BC First Group.png


Compared to my experience with a J Sipp barrel, this was night and day difference. Great communication at purchase through shipping of barrel. Quick response times to email. Fast turnaround of the minor marking issue. Cannot recommend these guys highly enough.

Tip even took time to talk to me around options for relieving my stock to fit the barrel, as even with 22MM profile barrel channel there is some additional relieving needed. He said he'd be happy to do it with shipping it to him, but also explained how to carefully do it myself if I was comfortable. I'm about 95% done but going very slowly with the sanding to not remove too much. Still just need to relieve some space just in front of the barrel extension part.

If you see this group pic elsewhere, I had also shared it to Tip for him to use as customer feedback.
 
Last edited:
I had a PM asking about it so wanted to update here to be clear - Tip will relieve your stock to fit the barrel if you don't feel comfortable doing yourself, but there is a charge for it. I can't recall the amount since when we talked we were more focused on being able to do it myself.
 

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USMA84DAB wrote on JBryant's profile.
Second message to insure you are notified that someone is using my ID on this board to scam you.
ChooChoo404 wrote on MontanaGrant's profile.
Hi. Giving it serious consideration . Ive bought from azdave gonna ask him bout you

Any wisdom or opinions on that reticle? There a manual?
Hedge774 wrote on Odinsraven's profile.
Hey Odinsraven. Is that post from Jefferry 404 legitimate? I don't know him. Thanks!
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Manny R wrote on SETH RINGER's profile.
I have no idea the shipping cost from here to Costa Rica. I can do my research on shipping and get back with you later today.
 
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