Barrel contours

[Cody3754]

What barrel contour is good for a hunting rifle?

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Any of them will work. Just depends on how much weight you want to carry.

 

[seand]

Skinny ones. Then hang a suppressor on the end to get your weight back up.

 

[Wapiti1]

Typical hunting rifles have #2 or 3 contour barrels. Those contours work well to balance the rifle, keep it at a reasonable weight, and get barrel lengths appropriate for the cartridge. One note is that all barrel makers use their own contours, so they aren't identical from one to another. A #3 Shilen will be a little different than a #3 Bartlein.

Carbon are usually Sendero or similar contour and those typically weigh about what a #3 in steel does give or take a few ounces. Figure about 3 to 3.5lbs for either barrel.

Beyond the above, it's up to you and your wants/need for the rifle. Long range rifles tend to be #4 or some other heavy profile. Mountain rifles will use #2 or lighter.

Jeremy