A question about barrel stiffness......

[mindcrime]

I am building a .338 Lapua (or Improved---.338 Allen Express is my preference) on a CZ550 Safari Magnum action. I currently have a Bell & Carlson H.E.T. Stock, the 20 MOA CZ H.E.T. rail, plus Barrett 15/40 Ex-Rings (so currently 35 MOA in the scope mount. I will be adding a Nightforce to the mix, but currently the 30mm rings are home to a VX-III Leupold 4.5-14x50mm with delron bushings. So basically, I am ready to go on and rebarrel, it is a .416 Rigby so it would be an easy fit.

I am trying to decide on two things, barrel contour and manufacturer. I have chosen a 1-9" twist with odd number of grooves (my preference), since I now have 2000 300gr. Sierras, with plenty of Retumbo, and even some 869.

First off, manufacturer. Rock Creek or Pac-Nor Super Match??? I'm having a problem finding a suitable gunsmith for the monster Mauser, and Pac-Nor CAN actually rebarrel the rifle in shop with a turn around of 14-16 weeks. That's a plus, but I like the 5R style of rifling. Pac-Nor offers a 5 groove, which is acceptable.

Secondly, ABOUT STIFFNESS, I don't want a benchrest rifle, I want an elk rifle with extreme range capability (1500+ yards). Light Varmint contour, or perhaps a Medium Palma contour??? I like the idea of the Palma contour, for better ballance, but is it as stiff??? What about a MTU/AMU barrel contour? That's too heavy in my book. I want it stiffer than a Sendero barrel, and barrel length is still up in the air, and open for discussion. I've been considering all options for several weeks now, and am still having a hard time deciding the best choice. Let's say a max barrel weight is 6 lb.---and YES, I would LOVE to have an ABS barrel, but I'm not that rich, LOL.

Now is your turn. What would you choose??? I'm ALL EARS!!! :^) THANKS!!!

 

[Boss Hoss]

Stiller "Super" Predator (I have one in 338 Slowpoke-338 Lapua Imp Speedy's design)
Weatherby Mark 5 (I have one in 338 Slowpoke-338 Lapua Imp Speedy's design)
Stiller Python – competition rifle in 338 Slowpoke-338 Lapua Imp Speedy's design)
Krieger Tube's All
USO Scope on 1
PMII on 1
NF – BR on the competition
HS Precision on 1
Mickey on 1
SG&Y Competition F Class on the other
Dave Kiff/Speedy Rings on 2
USO Rings on 1
Dies sizing and seating made from the Reamer's
Jewell Trigger's except the Weatherby
Speedy Brake on 2 of the 3


I use the 5.5 Krieger taper on my hunting tubes---give this some thought before you build.

 

[Pdvdh]

Stiller "Super" Predator (I have one in 338 Slowpoke-338 Lapua Imp Speedy's design)
Weatherby Mark 5 (I have one in 338 Slowpoke-338 Lapua Imp Speedy's design)
Stiller Python – competition rifle in 338 Slowpoke-338 Lapua Imp Speedy's design)
Krieger Tube's All
USO Scope on 1
PMII on 1
NF – BR on the competition
HS Precision on 1
Mickey on 1
SG&Y Competition F Class on the other
Dave Kiff/Speedy Rings on 2
USO Rings on 1
Dies sizing and seating made from the Reamer's
Jewell Trigger's except the Weatherby
Speedy Brake on 2 of the 3


I use the 5.5 Krieger taper on my hunting tubes---give this some thought before you build.

BH,
Impressive. Sounds like you gave all three builds plenty of thought prior to assembly. Nice components, and the custom dies for a close fit to the chambers are a very nice touch.

mindcrime,
As far as barrel contour goes, use the heaviest contour that meets a 'limit of weight acceptability' that you're willing to pack around on your style of hunting trips. My hunting is 95% backpack hunting. I compromise on barrel stiffness and go with the lighter contoured tubes, as I'm simply unwilling to pack around anything more than about 10 lbs of outfitted rifle weight. These lighter guns will shoot good enough to engage game at 1000 yds, after I've completed load development.

That's the best advice I could offer - use the heaviest contour that meets a limit of acceptability that you're willing to pack around on your style of hunting trips. A six pound barrel is going to give you a pretty hefty rifle when all is said and done. If you don't do a lot of packing in difficult terrain, you may be happy with a heavier contour barrel than I would find acceptable for my rifles on my type of hunts.

 

[jmden]

BH,
Impressive. Sounds like you gave all three builds plenty of thought prior to assembly. Nice components, and the custom dies for a close fit to the chambers are a very nice touch.

mindcrime,
As far as barrel contour goes, use the heaviest contour that meets a 'limit of weight acceptability' that you're willing to pack around on your style of hunting trips. My hunting is 95% backpack hunting. I compromise on barrel stiffness and go with the lighter contoured tubes, as I'm simply unwilling to pack around anything more than about 10 lbs of outfitted rifle weight. These lighter guns will shoot good enough to engage game at 1000 yds, after I've completed load development.

That's the best advice I could offer - use the heaviest contour that meets a limit of acceptability that you're willing to pack around on your style of hunting trips. A six pound barrel is going to give you a pretty hefty rifle when all is said and done. If you don't do a lot of packing in difficult terrain, you may be happy with a heavier contour barrel than I would find acceptable for my rifles on my type of hunts.

mind,

phorwath has got it right above. Gotta figure out what's best for you. I'm packing about a 13lb rifle right now--nearly 4 pounds heavier than the last rifle I packed--if you are on a maintained trail or pretty easy terrain, that weight may not be an issue, but get off trail in the steep and nasty and/or bushwacking and every ounce begins to count more than ever. I managed to shave off a couple of pounds worth of stuff this year (again) to help make up for the extra weight of the new gun--so that approach may work as well. I go through my gear with a VERY critical eye sometimes several times a year trying to make my pack as lightweight and compact as possible while still packing what's needed--sometimes this can help make up for a heavier rifle IF you have the experience to really understand what you need/should have and what you don't need depending on the type of hunting you are doing AND your knowledge of available gear and it's capabilities.

 

[mindcrime]

mindcrime,
As far as barrel contour goes, use the heaviest contour that meets a 'limit of weight acceptability' that you're willing to pack around on your style of hunting trips. My hunting is 95% backpack hunting. I compromise on barrel stiffness and go with the lighter contoured tubes, as I'm simply unwilling to pack around anything more than about 10 lbs of outfitted rifle weight. These lighter guns will shoot good enough to engage game at 1000 yds, after I've completed load development.

That's the best advice I could offer - use the heaviest contour that meets a limit of acceptability that you're willing to pack around on your style of hunting trips. A six pound barrel is going to give you a pretty hefty rifle when all is said and done. If you don't do a lot of packing in difficult terrain, you may be happy with a heavier contour barrel than I would find acceptable for my rifles on my type of hunts.

This rifle will "mostly" be used for a long range target/hunting rifle, fired prone off of a Harris or my Bald Eagle cast iron set up (which is ROCK SOLID!)........

HOWEVER, if I ever make it back out to CO, I might have to pack it as my Dad insists on my lightweight .35 Whelen (he bowled over two Elk with it pushing 300 yards and is sold on that caliber!). I *could* just make him carry his .30-06 BAR and me carry the thumper Whelen with it's brush happy AND LIGHTWEIGHT 22 inch barrel.

My biggest problem is that an injury at work has given me incredibly painful 40 degree Scolosis (which I did NOT have as a child, even though I don't have the X-rays to prove that because I was fine until an incident at work). IMAGINE THIS RIFLE AS A LONG-RANGE REPEATER "BEANFIELD RIFLE."

I can't climb and stay in a treestand anymore comfortably, sad to say, and I'm only 38, HOWEVER I have two Uncles with farms with obtainable shots out to 2000 yards, with hills that make shooting even easier.

MY BIGGEST CONCERN is hanging a really heavy axle on the Action, thus somewhat of a compromise is in order. With the Pac-Nor Palmas, the breech is FIVE INCHES LONG, of which I would fully bed to relieve some of the action strain and flex. I'd love to own a custom action, but with my health bills, I am having to build this rifle a bit at a time, and somewhat on a budget.

With the additional insight, perhaps someone might have some additional comments. ALL are appreciated! Thanks for all that have commented so far!!!!!

 

[mindcrime]

Boss Hoss, tell me more of this .338 Slowpoke caliber, if you please. I'm always willing to learn more!

 

[mindcrime]

A six pound barrel is going to give you a pretty hefty rifle when all is said and done.

You should compare the CZ 550 Magnum Mauser action to a Remington 700 long action, this puppy ain't going to be light by no means, LOL.

ALSO, with my back, I can't backpack hunt......I have to go at it horseback, and believe it or not, riding horseback is actually comfortable to me, almost soothing to my spine, not my arse though, LOL!