Mountain Rifle Barrel

[B.S.]

I'm looking to build a mountain rifle, and looking for advice on barrels. What contour is ideal? I want the gun to be light, but have enough barrel to maintain accuracy. Planning on a 22" .308, rem 700 action, McMillan edge stock, and will flute the barrel to help enable a little heavier contour.

Thanks,

Brett

 

[Sam Millard]

I'm looking to build a mountain rifle, and looking for advice on barrels. What contour is ideal? I want the gun to be light, but have enough barrel to maintain accuracy. Planning on a 22" .308, rem 700 action, McMillan edge stock, and will flute the barrel to help enable a little heavier contour.

Thanks,

Brett

A #4 contour @ 22" or 24" makes a nice, handy rifle.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I think I would go with a #3 fluted for that gun. For size reference, that is what is on the Tikka super light.

 

[Whisky]

I have a build with a fluted Bartlein 3. Bartleins 3 is comparable to most others #4 sporters so keep that in mind. I didn't set out to build a light mountain rifle. However I do wish I went lighter. I'd go with a #2 or fluted 3 (not Bartlein contour ).
My rifle with 24" barrel, Manners SL, Leupold vx3 LR, sling and ammo weighs 9.375 lbs. Turned out a bit heavier then I was thinking. But is pleasant to shoot.

 

[KINGSNAKE]

If your willing to give up speed and you don't want to shoot "long range" you can save weight with going to a 20 barrel. I would recommend talking to the barrel company you are going with. About what you want out of your rifle. I built a 260 with a hart barrel. They were very helpful with my questions on barrel diameter weight ect.

 

[mtnwrunner]

I would either go with a number 3 or number 4---just depends on how light you want it. I've been searching for the holy grail regarding weights for a mountain rifle but it always seems to be a tradeoff somewhere. I hate "whippy" rifles so my mountain rifles now all come in at about 8 pounds and that's scoped. Light enough to carry but heavy enough for accuracy. And sometimes, I'll carry a 10 pounder, depends on the situation.
Brett, good luck on your build---those specs sound great. I've got the McMillan gamescouts on my "mountain rifles" and they are great.

Randy

 

[mtluckydan]

What are you referring to as light? Everyone has a different definition of weight when it comes to rifles. I have two 308s that are in the 6 lb range scoped. They have 20 inch barrels and will put 5 shots under an inch without allowing to cool between shots. Both are built on remington model 7 actions - one with a douglas barrel and proof stock, the other with a benchmark barrel and a pendleton stock. They are both wearing talley rings with leupold fx 3x9 scopes. Both barrels are #1 contour and you can get plenty of accuracy from them. The McMillan stock will add at least half a pound to your build over those mentioned above. I am still getting over 2900 fps with varget powder and 150 grain bullets without pressure signs. One rifle prefers H4895 and is around 2875 w/150's. My wife's rifle is built on a remington 700 left hand action w/factory barrel and a proof stock(formerly lone wolf design). I would guess her barrel is a #2 contour in 7-08 at 20". The factory barrel was a tack driver since day one and didn't need to be changed out. Her rifle is slightly over 6 pounds scoped and will also shoot 5 shots under an inch without cooling. You can save some weight with the model 7 action, but either one is a great choice. A local smith recently told me you can get model 7 actions for about $350 range which isn't too painful. Good luck with your build.

 

[Whisky]

What are you referring to as light? Everyone has a different definition of weight when it comes to rifles. I have two 308s that are in the 6 lb range scoped. They have 20 inch barrels and will put 5 shots under an inch without allowing to cool between shots. Both are built on remington model 7 actions - one with a douglas barrel and proof stock, the other with a benchmark barrel and a pendleton stock. They are both wearing talley rings with leupold fx 3x9 scopes. Both barrels are #1 contour and you can get plenty of accuracy from them. The McMillan stock will add at least half a pound to your build over those mentioned above. I am still getting over 2900 fps with varget powder and 150 grain bullets without pressure signs. One rifle prefers H4895 and is around 2875 w/150's. My wife's rifle is built on a remington 700 left hand action w/factory barrel and a proof stock(formerly lone wolf design). I would guess her barrel is a #2 contour in 7-08 at 20". The factory barrel was a tack driver since day one and didn't need to be changed out. Her rifle is slightly over 6 pounds scoped and will also shoot 5 shots under an inch without cooling. You can save some weight with the model 7 action, but either one is a great choice. A local smith recently told me you can get model 7 actions for about $350 range which isn't too painful. Good luck with your build.

I would agree the .308 win is very easy to shoot in pretty much any platform. I had a Finnlight 308 that shot handloads awesome. 155 Scenars at 2730fps and 150 Match kings at 2790. I do not feel the 308 needs a heavier barrel to get shooting more accurately. Although it might be easier on the shooter.

 

[B.S.]

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to check the countour on the Tikka ultralight as a reference and call Pac-nor for their advice. My goal is sub 6 lb before optics which should be pretty doable. As an alternate, i've been looking at the factory mountain rifle, I'm just not convinced it will be accurate enough, which will lead to a re-barrel, then possibly a new stock to accommodate the new contour/save some weight. Makes for an expensive way to acquire an action.

Brett