Why so many fat steel barrels and so few sporters?

[SDHNTR]

So I’m half ass barrel shopping for a new project. Why are there so many M24, Varmint, Heavy Palma, etc contours out there and so few sporters in stock? Can’t find a Bart 2b, 3 or 3b, but a curtain rod is no problem. What are these big heavy barrels used for and why are they so popular?

 

[Castle Rock]

No one build’s featherweights, and if they do they will never burn out a barrel

 

[sierracharlie338]

All the comp boys. I just bought a truck axle barrel because I got a crazy deal on it.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Match gun market is way bigger than hunting barrel market.