Looking to build a light weight hunting rifle in 6.5/06. I have a Hart built 6.5/06 that is very precise and accurate but is a varmint contour and fairly heavy. I like the 6.5-06 and would like to build one for my wife. All that said, how light of a countour can I get away with while still maintaining the potential for precision?
How does Barrel contour relates to precision
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Ridgerunner665
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In a 6.5mm...I'd go with a standard magnum contour (~.650" at the muzzle).
That should be plenty enough steel to give a good stable, yet reasonably light, hunting rifle....should be around 9.25 lbs with a 24" barrel, that is fully equipped loaded and ready to hunt.
That should be plenty enough steel to give a good stable, yet reasonably light, hunting rifle....should be around 9.25 lbs with a 24" barrel, that is fully equipped loaded and ready to hunt.
Ridgerunner665
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A picture is worth 1,000 words...the one on the right is my 280 Ackley (.650" at the muzzle), the one on the left is a 270 Winchester in a Model 70 Featherweight.
Krieger will make a 6.5mm Chromoly barrel in any contour including their smallest, a #0 contour. If they didn't think a contour that small would be accurate, I don't think they would offer it.
If you want one made from Stainless Steel, the smallest they list is a #4 contour. I think they will make a 6.5 barrel in a #3.5 contour if you ask them to.
If you want one made from Stainless Steel, the smallest they list is a #4 contour. I think they will make a 6.5 barrel in a #3.5 contour if you ask them to.
mgood
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I just talked to them this week. The smallest stainless non-fluted 6.5mm barrel they'd make is a #4. The smallest stainless fluted barrel would be a #5PLUS.
Yes, they'd go much smaller with their chro-moly barrels.
I went with Brux for my 6.5, largely due to their willingness to make a smaller stainless barrel. I got a #3 fluted. I originally wanted a #3 non-fluted or maybe a #4 fluted. The fluted 3 may be a little light. We'll see.
mgood
Well-Known Member
It won't, really. I was thinking one particular rifle I have seems a little lighter on the front end than I prefer. I wanted something a tiny bit heavier. A non-fluted #3 or a fluted #4 was what I estimated would be about right for me. Fluting the #3 may make it a little lighter than I originally planned. I considered calling back and asking him to change that to a fluted #4, but decided to leave it alone. I am a novice at this. All my rifles have been factory built. I was just taking calipers to my barrels and saying, "I'd like something a little thinner than this one . . . but a little thicker than this one." So, I'm really just guessing.
Did you ask them if they would make a #3.5 contour?
I would go minimum .65" at the muzzle.
mgood
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Jaxdialation
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When I was more active in competition I'd use standard palma barrels - .82 at the muzzle.
When I shifted the same rifles to hunting use, I went with Bartlein #3 barrels. The only change in accuracy I noticed was longer strings. The more thin barrels don't dissipate heat nearly as well as palmas. 1st and 2nd shot accuracy didn't change IMO.
When I shifted the same rifles to hunting use, I went with Bartlein #3 barrels. The only change in accuracy I noticed was longer strings. The more thin barrels don't dissipate heat nearly as well as palmas. 1st and 2nd shot accuracy didn't change IMO.
engineer40
Well-Known Member
Accuracy wise, if you reload you can do amazing things with a thin barrel. At least for the first few shots, and that's all you really need for a hunting rig.
All thin barrels are not created equal for the effects of heat either. Some thin barrels will walk a bit when they get heated. Some thin barrels will walk A LOT when they get heated. Most often inaccuracy due to barrel heat is not a concern for a hunting rifle.
IMO, I would rather go hunting with a thin barrel... rather than a clean barrel. (Which people do all the time).
All thin barrels are not created equal for the effects of heat either. Some thin barrels will walk a bit when they get heated. Some thin barrels will walk A LOT when they get heated. Most often inaccuracy due to barrel heat is not a concern for a hunting rifle.
IMO, I would rather go hunting with a thin barrel... rather than a clean barrel. (Which people do all the time).
