Please help me choose a barrel

[Dan H]

My wife wants to buy me a barrel for my birthday but I'm having trouble choosing one. I have a Savage 7mm rem mag action and this will be a hunting rifle. I have decided to go with a stainless barrel around 26 to 28 inches long. I'm looking at several top barrel manufacturers. I need help choosing a contour, there are so many. Being heavy doesn't bother me to an extent, I'm mostly interested in accuracy. I shoot 168 berger vld's, 168 nosler LRAB's and 171 match burners. I'm leaning toward a 1:9 twist.

Given this info, what manufacturer and countour would you choose if money was not in the equation? Thanks

 

[MudRunner2005]

26-28" is perfect.
1:9 is perfect.
Rem Varmint/Sendero contour is my favorite heavy barrel contour, and it is a nice compromise for weight, rigidity, & accuracy.

Also, if you can find one with 5R rifling. I really like the design of the 5R, as it doesn't create a pinch-point while the bullet is engaged with the rifling when traveling down the barrel. It's also seems easier to clean to me, and the barrels seem to be a little bit "slicker" when running a patch and brush down it. They also clean up quicker and don't seem to collect as much copper at my 6-groove standard rifled barrels do.

 

[FearNoWind]

Bartlein 5R Barrel, straight taper, 1:9

 

[Send One]

Hey Dan. Good Wife you have there! There are I am sure several good manufacturers out there. I have owned K&P (now out of business I believe), Shillen, Broughton and most recently Krieger. The K&P's shot great as well as the Broughton. Shillen was ok. I have had what I consider outstanding luck of my Krieger barrel. Just finished a 264 win mag long range hunting rig and it has performed quite well out to 700 yds, haven't had an opportunity to stretch it legs out any further just yet.

My most recent Krieger is 27-1/2" long and LV contour, which I did not have fluted. It sits in an magnum fill weight A-5 McMillan, so it weighs in about 15-1/2 lbs including scope, rings and bases. Not something I necessarily want to carry through the mountains, but a deadly bean field rig and that is what I built it for.

I will caution you before you call Krieger, they have a 10 month lead time if ordering direct. However, look up Bruno's Shooters Supply, they keep a pretty good rotation of barrels in and that is where I ended up purchasing mine.

Good luck!

 

[tinnitus]

For a hunting rifle I would go with a Remington varmit/sendero contour. But that's me and everybody comments on how heavy my rifles are. Also I have a 8lb 300rum krieger #5 contour with no brake that I like real well. As far as manufactures I would go Brux, Krieger, Bartlein for cut rifle barrels or a Hart or a schneider. "Yeah I am a barrel snob".

 

[Dan H]

One more question... should I get a Savage drop in or have it chambered and threaded by the manufacturer by sending them my action? Some of the barrel makers I called really frowned on drop in barrels.

 

[FearNoWind]

One more question... should I get a Savage drop in or have it chambered and threaded by the manufacturer by sending them my action? Some of the barrel makers I called really frowned on drop in barrels.

If you're looking for a drop-in barrel you might want to focus on Shilen.

Welcome to Shilen Rifles, Inc.

http://www.shilen.com/savageBarrels.html

 

[lightflight]

Hurry up and wait.

I just waited 13 weeks for a barrel. I shouldn't complain since that is relatively short compared to some manufacturers. Its showing up in the brown truck tomorrow.

 

[crazyhorse]

I recently built a 7mm RM on a Remington action with a Benchmark barrel. It's a 1/9 twist in the rem/Sendero contour with 5r rifling. I sent the action to Benchmark and had them square the action, chamber and mount the barrel. Just last week I finished load development with 168 Berger VLD's in front of 68.5 gr of H1000. After playing with seating depth it is consistently shooting in the .3's at 100 yards.

 

[Dan H]

I recently built a 7mm RM on a Remington action with a Benchmark barrel. It's a 1/9 twist in the rem/Sendero contour with 5r rifling. I sent the action to Benchmark and had them square the action, chamber and mount the barrel. Just last week I finished load development with 168 Berger VLD's in front of 68.5 gr of H1000. After playing with seating depth it is consistently shooting in the .3's at 100 yards.

crazyhorse, I'm glad you said that. I was seriously thinking about going with Benchmark for a few reasons, first their growing reputation, and they were extremely helpful and very nice on the phone, taking the time to explain things to me. Also their wait time is not as ridiculous as other brands and their price isn't too outrageous. They quoted me $495 for a stainless barrel which includes chambering and threading. I'm also pleased to hear about the accurate loads with the H-1000 as it is one of my favorite powders.

Thank you all for your replies, it has helped alot

 

[MudRunner2005]

Dan, you should also look into IMR 7828 SSC. I use it over H1000 in my magnums now, if that tells you anything. It's also REALLY universal. I use it from .25-06 AI up to my big ole .300 Ackley Mag. Seems to be nice and temp stable, too.

 

[Dan H]

Well, I ordered it today. I went with a Benchmark stainless 27" standard palma contour, 5r rifling, 1:8.5 twist. It was $295. They helped me find one in stock at 3rd generation shooting supply, so I wouldn't have to wait. They were still 4 months out for chambering and threading, so they recommended a guy in Pendleton Oregon, close to me, named Darin Blagg, who is going to install it on my action for $200. I'm getting excited, can't wait to try it out! Someday, when I have more funds, I will upgrade the stock and trigger.