What barrel contour are you using?

[MSLRHunter]

I am getting ready to start on a new build and am trying to decide on barrel contour. This will be a 7wsm with a 26" bbl that I want to come in finished at about 10-10.5 lbs including optic. I was thinking of a #5 fluted, muzzle diameter of .700. Just curious, what contour does everyone have on their rifle and how much does it weigh with optics? Thanks guys and have a Merry Christmas!

 

[Coach Hunt]

Howdy,

My 7WSM has a #4 barrel; however, it is about ready to go "the way of all the earth" as my Pappy said. I'm exploring a #5... no fluting... and 28 to 30 inches long. I'll be watching this thread carefully!!!

Good shooting.

Coach

 

[midnightmalloy]

Gun weight is so subjective. You really need to look at the whole picture. An example would be two identical guns and "somewhat similar" scopes. One has a mcmillian with "sniper" fill and the other with "edge" fill and the difference in that alone in nearly 2.5lbs. Then a nightforce or us optic is heavy vs a vortex viper pst in similar magnifications. The vortex is 8-14ounces lighter. Look at pacnors website and they have a barrel weight calculator that you can input all sorts of stuff. Let us know what components your going to use and then we can give you a better overall picture of what the gun will weight.

 

[woods]

I have 2 in a #5 contour, a 338RUM finished at 26" and a 375 Ruger finished at 24". Both are 11.5# but could be at least a pound lighter if I changed the stock. The stock on the 338RUM is an HS Precision and has 2 recoil reducers in the butt stock and the 375 Ruger has a Knoxx stock with the recoil spring compensating butt pad in an overmolded like the Hogue. So I would guess that with a lighter stock they would be close to 10 to 10.5#

I have 1 in a #4 contour finished at 26" with McMillan McSwirly and it weighs close to 9# all up. Also a "Sako Contour" 280AI finished at 26" which is probably close to a #4 with a McSwirly and it is close to 9# also.

So I guess my answer would be that you could get to a 10# rifle in a #5 contour finished at 26" if you make the right stock choice

 

[MSLRHunter]

Thanks for the responses so far guys. I think I have the components narrowed down to get me to my target weight, I'm just curios about what everyone else is running. For example, I know some guys go with a very light stock so they can get the heaviest bbl possible. I think I'm going to try for a well balanced gun with mid weight bbl and stock. It's helpful to hear from others and see which direction they went in and if they are happy with the results.

 

[Trickymissfit]

Howdy,

My 7WSM has a #4 barrel; however, it is about ready to go "the way of all the earth" as my Pappy said. I'm exploring a #5... no fluting... and 28 to 30 inches long. I'll be watching this thread carefully!!!

Good shooting.

Coach

Your problem is that lack of barrel ridgity, and going to a heavier barrel and longer will not help the issue, but probably make it worse. Lilja did some testing a few years back on #7 contours, and found that a 21" barrel in #7 was was 2.75 times stiffer than the same contoured barrel 26" long. That means better harmonics and better groups. Now a 21" barrel is a little on the short side for sure, but the reloading manuals use a 24" barrel. I think a #5, 23" long will still show 3000fps with 154 grain bullets. Yet will probably be twice as stiff as the same thing 26" long in a #4 contour. Fluting will not add any value to ridgity to speak, but will cool faster (not a serious issue here).

I think that since you are going to rebarrel any way, it might be a good experiment to cut the barrel back to 23" to see if it shoots better groups (you may need to change powders). If it does you will know that the next heavier contour barrel will only help. You'll also find that the shorter barrels have better balance and tend to point better in a hunting application.
gary

 

[Greyfox]

Both my rigs have #6, 26" barrels. One is fluted. Both rifles are in the 11.5 pound range. I have used both heavier and lighter. This weight is my preference for out to 1000 yard hunting. With lots of carrying and heavy wooded areas where shots will be shorter I like a #4 contour.

 

[woods]

I think I'm going to try for a well balanced gun with mid weight bbl and stock. It's helpful to hear from others and see which direction they went in and if they are happy with the results.

One of the reasons I put 2 recoil compensators in th 26" #5 contour 338RUM butt stock. With the #5 contour it was front heavy and the compensators balanced it out.

But like Gary said, it might be a good idea to finish at 23 or 24" to get your balance and still have the contour you want and get down to the 10# range

 

[kiwi3006]

On my 7mm mag I have a #5 26" unfluted. If I were to do it again I would probably go for a #4 fluted 26". A bit lighter and less muzzle heavy.

 

[str8shoot]

I've got a 26" fluted #5 in a 700bdl with a h-s sporter stock. The rifle with a Vortex Pst and a karston cheek piece comes in at 10.25 lbs

 

[Edd]

I am getting ready to start on a new build and am trying to decide on barrel contour. This will be a 7wsm with a 26" bbl that I want to come in finished at about 10-10.5 lbs including optic. I was thinking of a #5 fluted, muzzle diameter of .700. Just curious, what contour does everyone have on their rifle and how much does it weigh with optics? Thanks guys and have a Merry Christmas!

Where you buy the barrel and what it's made of could be a factor in your decision. For example if you want a Krieger stainless fluted barrel, they won't flute a #5 barrel with a 7mm bore. It won't meet their minimum diameter requirements. They will add at least .050" to the neck diameter. I'm not sure what their minimum muzzle diameter is but .700 will be close. If you want a CM barrel you can get about anything you want.

 

[MSLRHunter]

Where you buy the barrel and what it's made of could be a factor in your decision. For example if you want a Krieger stainless fluted barrel, they won't flute a #5 barrel with a 7mm bore. It won't meet their minimum diameter requirements. They will add at least .050" to the neck diameter. I'm not sure what their minimum muzzle diameter is but .700 will be close. If you want a CM barrel you can get about anything you want.

I think I'm going with a Brux, they will flute a 7mm #5.

 

[Dean2506]

I wanted the muzzle to finish .750 diameter at 30 inch so i went with a palma contour. It saved almost two pounds over a standard taper that finished at .750 and I am very pleased with how it shoots. Just another option to look at. I think It is a 12.2 palma Broughton. It is also fluted. If i remember right total barrel weight is right at 4 lbs with 30 in finish length.

 

[KIWI AL]

my 7mm has a no4 at 26" unfluted, mcmillan hunters edge,
with a mk4 wieght is 8.2 pounds (action is rem ti).
i'm wanting to use a no5 or maybe 6 at 24" next barrel