Weatherby 307 Alpine CT or ST?

[lhough89]

I'm leaning towards picking up a Weatherby 307 Alpine in 7PRC based largely on the need for a lighter rifle since I'll be adding a decent amount of weight between a scope and suppressor. Does anyone have any feedback or thoughts on going with the CT (carbon barrel) vs. ST (steel barrel) version of the 307 Alpine?

For context, it'll mostly be used for elk and deer hunts requiring fairly strenuous mountain hiking in Idaho. I really like the Seekins PH3, but I'm pretty set on the 307 Alpine since its 1.5 pounds lighter. I'm also pretty set on running a suppressor so I can dial back the recoil without being too harsh on the ears.

 

[Nickziegler]

I have a 6.5prc CT. Love it. It was picky on what round it shot well but it shoots the weatherby hammer customs under MOA. I kept it light with a swarovaki z5 scope and titanium can

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[swampy14]

Going through the sand debate but in either 6.5prc or 7BC

 

[wind gypsy]

Dont have first hand exposure to both options enough to weigh in with first hand experiences. I'm of the belief that a BSF carbon barrel (what weatherby uses) is more prone to POI changes and accuracy degradation as they heat up than a properly stress relieved steel barrel. I dont know how it cant have stresses in it as the carbon is tensioned and carbon expands/contracts at a different rate than steel.

google "BSF barrels stringing when warming"

 

[lhough89]

Going through the sand debate but in either 6.5prc or 7BC

I’ve debated going 6.5 as well but I’ve got a .270 Vanguard already that I’m fine with and am debating upgrading a little with a new stock and possible a new trigger. Only concern with the ST is the threading is 1/2 instead of 5/8.

 

[lhough89]

Dont have first hand exposure to both options enough to weigh in with first hand experiences. I'm of the belief that a BSF carbon barrel (what weatherby uses) is more prone to POI changes and accuracy degradation as they heat up than a properly stress relieved steel barrel. I dont know how it cant have stresses in it as the carbon is tensioned and carbon expands/contracts at a different rate than steel.

google "BSF barrels stringing when warming"

That’s super helpful. I’ll look into that. My reservation on the ST is the threading is 1/2. Talked with weatherby and they were selling me a bit on the CT being stiffer. I’d guess it would come down to how rapid I’m shooting, I.e., how much I’m heating up that barrel.

 

[wind gypsy]

That’s super helpful. I’ll look into that. My reservation on the ST is the threading is 1/2. Talked with weatherby and they were selling me a bit on the CT being stiffer. I’d guess it would come down to how rapid I’m shooting, I.e., how much I’m heating up that barrel.

Is it actually stiffer though? Have they measured deflection? People make assumptions because carbon is stiffer than steel for a given weight but the couple places I’ve seen that actually tested it on rifle barrels indicated there was no notable difference in deflection with carbon and steel barrels that weigh the same.

The 1/2” threads is stupid on their part but it wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me.

 

[lhough89]

Is it actually stiffer though? Have they measured deflection? People make assumptions because carbon is stiffer than steel for a given weight but the couple places I’ve seen that actually tested it on rifle barrels indicated there was no notable difference in deflection with carbon and steel barrels that weigh the same.

The 1/2” threads is stupid on their part but it wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me.

I haven't spent the time yet to dig into their claim regarding stiffness. I've had somewhat of a similar thought process though, but more along the lines of what does the stiffness translate to in application? Is it 1/4 MOA difference or less? Is it going to really provide any benefit if I'm limiting my hunting shots to 500 yards? I doubt there's much benefit and, based on what you're saying, the drawbacks of the BSF barrel might outweigh the marginal benefit. But then again, I started this thread because I really don't know the difference! Appreciate the additional feedback.

Do you have any reservations about using a 1/2" to 5/8" adapter for running a brake or suppressor?

 

[wind gypsy]

I haven't spent the time yet to dig into their claim regarding stiffness. I've had somewhat of a similar thought process though, but more along the lines of what does the stiffness translate to in application? Is it 1/4 MOA difference or less? Is it going to really provide any benefit if I'm limiting my hunting shots to 500 yards? I doubt there's much benefit and, based on what you're saying, the drawbacks of the BSF barrel might outweigh the marginal benefit. But then again, I started this thread because I really don't know the difference! Appreciate the additional feedback.

I'm spit ballin here, but my understanding on the desirability of stiffness is just that a barrel will have shallower harmonics at the shot if it is stiffer and thus be less finicky about ammo and ammo consistency. Generally I just look at that as noise in the topic of a hunting rifle's precision.

Do you have any reservations about using a 1/2" to 5/8" adapter for running a brake or suppressor?

no.