Need some help from you guys. I'm building a 280 AI and I've narrowed it down to two barrels, both are Bartlein. One is a fluted #3 contour (.670) and the other is a non fluted #3b (.700). I'm having a hard time deciding on which to go with. It will probably not have a muzzle brake and be more of a hunting rifle than anything else. Thanks!
Barrel choice for new build?
- Thread starter jayjay24
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Fluted.
You didn't mention your requirementss. If concerned about rifle weight, and/or shots under 500 or 600 yards, #3 fluted. If going to 1000 yards, I like a heavier barrel, the #3B. But that's just my preference, my LR hunters run .73"+ at the muzzle, and weights run 10-11 pounds.
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I'm building a 300 Win Mag now with a Rem Varmint contour so that will be my 1,000 yard rifle. This will be a nice hunting rifle for ranges out to maybe 600 yards or so. It'll be medium weight. I don't want an ultra light but I don't want a heavy heavy rifle either.
I put Bartlein #3 Fluted on my 30-06 and for me it balanced real nice @ 26" on Win 70 action with McMillan stock. Difference in weight is 1/2 lb between those two barrels without fluting both cut 26".
In truth I didn't look at that other barrel as option and my choice was to flute or not flute that barrel.
In truth I didn't look at that other barrel as option and my choice was to flute or not flute that barrel.
A Bartlein #3B is the same contour as most maker's #5, it's very heavy. It's just a shade shy of a remington varmint contour. You say you don't want a heavy rifle but if you use that contour it will be a chunk. A fluted #3 isn't going to be particularly light, but it'll be a lot lighter than the #3B. If it were me I'd use a #2B, it's a good carry rifle contour.
Unless stated as a Remington varmint, due to this lack of barrel size standardization, I always confirm by understanding the actual barrel dimensions.
BergerBoy
Well-Known Member
NON- Fluted.
Look at the testing done by AI and you will see why they do not flute anymore. It will change POI.
Don't take my word for it
Look at the testing done by AI and you will see why they do not flute anymore. It will change POI.
Don't take my word for it
IMO, there are as many opinions on this topic as there are barrel makers. I have had several rifles fluted and unfluted of various sizes and am hard pressed to see any material difference in accuracy, or the ability to maintain POI. Of course, all barrel fluted or no are unique in their performance. They all produce harmonics. The key is that they produce them consistently throughout their usable life. Sifting through all the information, the critical factor seems to be that the barrel maker understand how to properly build one.
Here is a real brain teaser:
Varmint Al's Fluted Barrel Stiffness Analysis
Y'all are getting way above my head now. Haha. This rifle won't be shot as much as a bench gun or whatever. It's gonna be a hunting rifle that once the load development is done, it might get shot once or twice a year. I'll never shoot it enough to wear the barrel out
azsugarbear
Well-Known Member
A custom rifle will last you a life time and beyond. Don't get an itchy finger and pull the trigger on a barrel you don't want, but could "live with". You should not compromise when building a custom rig. Exercise patience and get the exact barrel that you want. If that means ordering a barrel and waiting 6-8 months, then that is what you should do. This is a custom rifle. You should not have a single twinge of regret when looking at it 5 years from now.
