Barrel contour on new build.

It doesn't, have to assume it is at STP when not designated. Would nice if the metals had numbers at STP too, but they don't.

When I created this post, it wasn't my intention to create a discussion on heat dispersion of carbon versus steel barrels. I would just like to know if I go with a Bartlein #2B or #3 barrel, will I be happy with the accuracy of a lighter-weight barrel to keep the overall weight of the rifle down. If I won't be happy with the accuracy of a lightweight steel barrel, then I will definitely consider a carbon barrel. The most I ever shoot my rifle is 3-5 times over the course of a couple of minutes. I doubt that either of the barrels in question will have issues with overheating as long as I load my H&H rounds responsibly.

JohnyRingo said:

When I created this post, it wasn't my intention to create a discussion on heat dispersion of carbon versus steel barrels. I would just like to know if I go with a Bartlein #2B or #3 barrel, will I be happy with the accuracy of a lighter-weight barrel to keep the overall weight of the rifle down. If I won't be happy with the accuracy of a lightweight steel barrel, then I will definitely consider a carbon barrel. The most I ever shoot my rifle is 3-5 times over the course of a couple of minutes. I doubt that either of the barrels in question will have issues with overheating as long as I load my H&H rounds responsibly.

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From the research I've done, the bartlein #3 is really close to the dimensions of the standard Christensen Mesa. I personally wouldn't want to go any lighter than that with a magnum cartridge for both recoil and heat concerns. When I rebarrel this winter I'm going to a bartlein #3 8 twist 7mm.

I'm not sure if you want a brake installed either but I'm not sure if a #2 contour has enough material to allow threading. Hopefully someone else can chime in on that.

My own experience with brakes, in a non-hunting environment, is that I wouldn't want one unless you hunt with hearing protection in place all of the time. I have Tinnitus, it's not fun and I'm sure that my case is mild.

JohnyRingo said:

When I created this post, it wasn't my intention to create a discussion on heat dispersion of carbon versus steel barrels. I would just like to know if I go with a Bartlein #2B or #3 barrel, will I be happy with the accuracy of a lighter-weight barrel to keep the overall weight of the rifle down. If I won't be happy with the accuracy of a lightweight steel barrel, then I will definitely consider a carbon barrel. The most I ever shoot my rifle is 3-5 times over the course of a couple of minutes. I doubt that either of the barrels in question will have issues with overheating as long as I load my H&H rounds responsibly.

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Honestly, a #3 contour barrel will be heavier than a Proof carbon Sendero Lite. And you couldn't give me a #2 steel barrel. So hard to tune at long range. Usually a very small and volatile window of accuracy. No thank you.

Plus brakes look awful on small whippy barrels.

I read an interesting test in one of the gun mags I get where they tested the heating and cooling of a stainless fluted heavy sporter, a stainless heavy , and a carbon wrapped barrel. Not very involved, but enough info to get a fair idea of how 3 different schools of thought on barrel heat cycling did.
This is from memory, so it's not verbatim, but makes the point. After a 5 shot (?) group they measured the temp of the breach end , inside the chamber, then they waited 10 minutes and checked the temp again. The heavy barrel built the least heat and cooled 2nd fastest . The fluted barrel built the second most, or least heat and cooled the SLOWEST . The carbon fiber barrel got the hottest by 20+*, but also cooled the quickest. At the end of the 10 minute wait, the carbon barrel was still hotter than the heavy barrel, even though it cooled quicker . The fluted and carbon barrel were about the same temp after 10 minutes.
I dont know if that cleared or muddied the water, op, but there it is anyway.

In comparing the dimensions of the #2B and #3 Bartlein barrels to my current X Bolt Stainless Stalker barrel (Safari contour?), both the #2B is a heavier contour as is the #3. I don't know exactly what a Safari contour is, but I think it is slightly heavier than a Sporter contour.

If this is the case, I would have no problem going with the #2B. I have a muzzle brake on my X Bolt barrel and it doesn't look weird at all. It is slightly larger than the end of the barrel. I don't look at my X Bolt barrel and think it looks wimpy. It does heat up in warm weather when I shoot 5-shot groups in a 2-minute span. My Browning 300 H&H shoots 1 MOA, with an occasional flier.

I think the better option though is to go with the #3 and have it fluted. The advertised weight of a #2B is 3.2 lbs and the #3 is 3.5 lbs. Fluting could possibly get the #3 down to 3.2-3.3 lbs? The advertised weight of the Proof Sendero is 3 lbs and the Sendero Light is 2.8 lbs.

I'm just curious to hear from someone who has a Barlein #2B or #3 to hear about their accuracy.

JohnyRingo said:

I am kicking around the idea of having a custom rifle built. It is going to be a 300 H&H Mag used for hunting elk and deer in Wyoming. I also like to go out and shoot rocks at long distances...maybe 3-5 shots at a time. I am trying to decide on either a carbon barrel or steel. I like the idea of carbon for weight, as most of my hunting involves quite a bit of hiking, but my hunting can be hard on equipment and especially barrels. I don't know how durable the carbon barrel is going to be.

If I go with carbon, it will probably be a Proof Sendero Light at 2 lbs 13 oz. If I go with a steel barrel, it will probably be a Bartlein. I am trying to figure out the contour to keep the weight down, but not sacrifice accuracy. I am thinking a heavy sporter (#3 at 3.5 lbs) with flutes or a medium sporter (#2B at 3.2 lbs). Will I be happy with the accuracy of the these two profiles of steel barrels? I'm expecting to get close to 1/2 MOA. I can shoot 1 MOA with factory rigs all day long.

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I have proof carbon and bartlein. Bartlien is more accurate. The 3B Sporter with flutes will produce a 9lb rifle with lightweight stock. You can contact bartlien and ask them what is the lightest 30 cal barrel they recommend fluting.

I don't think my proof barrel is lighter ... like others have said, tested and proven steel will cool faster. So no major advantage over Carbon. Where it shines is in POI after getting very very hot. At that point you are just warping the barrel.

I didn't see any weight savings, just a better looking gun. Save weight by going with a shorter barrel...

I have both, got a 6.5 saum with a 2b and 6.5 prc with sendero lite proof they both shoot better than I can and weight wise I'd have to weigh them but very comparable the 2b is spiral fluted 26" with a break and proof is 24" with a brake

Brakes on small barrels may look wierd but they often make the tune window much wider. A guy has to choose between the emotional pleasing look and practical accuracy. Model 7's are famous for shooting bug hole groups after a Gentry muzzle brake has been installed, 243, 7/08, and 308. The weight of the muzzle break on the end of the barrel helps tremendously.

Many "Accuracy gunsmtihs" will not even offer an accuracy guarantee on a #2 contour., and I have known several that prefered a #5 Shilen contour for an accuracy guarantee on Magnum calibers with their bare minimum being a #4 Shilen contour.

Bartline #3b or Shilen #5 should guarantee the chance of fantastic accuracy.

Accuracy is relative, some think that 3/8" is accurate while others think that 1" or 1 MOA is accurate.

I just built a 7wsm using a #3 Brux at 25". I think it's perfect for weight and stability in that cartridge. Getting 1.5" groups at 450 with Sierra gamechanger 165s at 3030fps. Also in process of building 300 win mag with #5 Brux at 26".

#5 Brux at 26" is my favorite, next would be the same in a Krieger 4 groove or Bartline 4 groove.

With even more research, I believe the Bartlein #2B is what I am looking at. What I have read is that the #2 Bartleins are similar to the others' #3 barrels. The #2B has a slightly heavier contour than my current Browning barrel and I think it shoots good, but not great. If I go with a #2B, I will not be doing any fluting to lighten the weight as it is a 300 H&H Mag. I am hoping with the help of a good gunsmith, I can get a custom rifle to shoot around 1/2 MOA. I still think the Proof carbon barrel is still in the running, but the $500 in savings will cover about half of the gunsmith fee.