I just priced the same chambered, hubbed, and contoured barrel from Pac-Nor and Shaw. $180 vs $400, shipping/taxes not included. That is way more than $80, its over double?
Id be careful of Ebay. If you get a barrel off of there its going to be 100% as is. I don't think any manufacturer would offer any sort of warranty on that?
As far as your 257 goes, you really have to watch the twist rate. Did you try a range of different bullet weights? I had my 243 rebarreled by them last year and it can shoot 1/2" all day with the right bullets. But since I didn't get the fast twist rate the VLD bullets keyhole or don't shoot as...