Barrel contour on a long range hunting rifle?

[matt_3479]

Hey guys,

If you were to go steel not carbon, what would you preferred barrel contour be? Trying to keep weight down but not too light and whippy. Have ran sendero contours mainly but was curious about others like medium Palma, light palma's, #5's and so on.

 

[Trnelson]

This ought to start quite an interesting thread! I am partial to a sendero. However, as I get a bit more mature, I am more and more willing to looking at giving away some velocity with a shorter barrel of the same contour to save some weight.

 

[Krumfola]

I'd have to agree with Trnelson, I prefer the sendero contour but finished at 22".

 

[Deleted member 103481]

I'm very interested in doing a fluted #5 next time around

 

[MallardAddict]

I have sendero's and #5's but would have to say my favorite contour for a LR hunter is the Bartlein 3b

 

[RT2506]

I like Shilens #6 contour. It is plenty stiff enough but lighter than varmint size. Fluting will lighten even more.

 

[Deleted member 103481]

I have sendero's and #5's but would have to say my favorite contour for a LR hunter is the Bartlein 3b

Isn't the 3b almost a dead ringer for everyone else's 5?

 

[laker]

What caliber

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I like the #5 on my Shilen barreled 7stw. She can shoot a few rounds without getting boiling hot, is plenty accurate, and is still light enough to hike all day...

 

[FEENIX]

This ought to start quite an interesting thread! I am partial to a sendero. However, as I get a bit more mature, I am more and more willing to looking at giving away some velocity with a shorter barrel of the same contour to save some weight.

Same here, all my LRs are #6 contour/Sendero, 26-30".

 

[smokepoler]

It depends on the cartridge/caliber and how far you're going to carry it. Burning a lot of powder, go with a 5 or 6, smaller capacity cartridges, a 3 or 4 will work. Skinny barrels I like shorter, 20 to 22 inches.

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

It depends on the cartridge/caliber and how far you're going to carry it. Burning a lot of powder, go with a 5 or 6, smaller capacity cartridges, a 3 or 4 will work. Skinny barrels I like shorter, 20 to 22 inches.

Exactly what I was thinking....need to know what you are trying to achieve. A nice short 20 in #3 looks pretty good on a 338 RCM I have and I've shot it to 700. I have seen a number of #4 and #5 contour that were 20-22 inches that carried good and performance was good.My 7mm SAUM wears a carbon sendero contour--I have shot it to 550 yards so far and did not feel it wanting. If I was building a rifle that would be carried more than shot--maybe a#2 or #3 contour and I might even flute it...caliber would be one thing to know. Next would be weight you were shooting for and what your "range" requirements would be... I consider long range hunting 800 and in--so short barrels work. I also value weight and portability for hunting so that is why short barrels and light contour are high on my list.

 

[Smokenaces]

+1 Bartlien 3B

 

[KyCarl]

My 300WM has a 26" MTU unfluted that really works! It's a bit heavy..